Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that this Oscar-winning war drama -- one of the most highly regarded Vietnam War movies -- is highly violent, powerful, and devastating. The violence is intense, with almost constant guns, blood, and dead bodies; soldiers also shoot and rape (mostly implied) Vietnamese characters, and burn a village. Language is likewise very strong, with almost constant use of "f--k," as well as heavy uses of words like "s--t" and "c--ksucker."

Sexual Content

Some playful sexual innuendo in the dialogue.

Violence

This movie features brutal, up-close war violence, with guns and shooting, lots of blood, and many, many dead bodies. The movie puts us in the thick of battle, with explosions, screaming, and sheer terror as well as sheer adrenaline. American soldiers are seen beating up and committing other atrocities on Vietnamese people (i.e. raping, shooting, burning villages, etc.).

Language

There is very strong, constant language here. "F--k" and "motherf--ker" are used quite often, as is "s--t," "p---y," and "c--ksucker." Other words include "dick," "hell," "son of a bitch," "ass," "asshole," "Goddamn," "bitch," "pecker," "faggot," and "Jesus Christ" and "for Christ's sake." Additionally, there are racial slurs like "gook."

Social Behavior

The overall message of this movie is that war is futile, and the Vietnam War was especially futile. Good people get killed and bad people survive. Good people do bad things. Nothing is solved. The hero finds his courage over the course of the movie, to a degree, but he also finds disgust and despair.

Consumerism

Not applicable

Drugs / Tobacco / Alcohol

Some soldiers are likely older teens and most characters are seen smoking cigarettes and/or pot at some point. A few characters drink beers in one scene.