Tigerland

Watch Tigerland

"The system wanted them to become soldiers. One soldier just wanted to be human."
  • R
  • 2000
  • 1 hr 40 min
  • 6.9  (43,178)
  • 55

"Tigerland" is a 2000 war-drama film directed by Joel Schumacher and starring Colin Farrell, Matthew Davis, and Clifton Collins Jr. It is set in 1971, during the Vietnam War, and follows the story of Private Bozz (Farrell) and his fellow recruits as they undergo training in Fort Polk, Louisiana, before being shipped off to war. The film begins with Private Bozz being thrown into the stockade for disobeying orders and for his general lack of discipline. He finds unlikely allies in the other inmates, including a soon-to-be shipped-off soldier named Paxton (Davis). Paxton is the film's main protagonist, and he initially dislikes Bozz for his insubordination and disregard for authority. However, he gradually warms up to him, and they form a kind of friendship based on mutual respect.

As Paxton's departure date to Vietnam grows closer, he becomes increasingly disillusioned with the war effort and the army as a whole. He is also disheartened by the realization that his fellow soldiers are not fighting for the noble cause that they once believed in but are instead being sent to their doom for the sake of politics. Bozz, meanwhile, remains steadfast in his nonconformity, insisting that he will not go to Vietnam unless he is drafted.

The film's title comes from Tigerland, a nickname for a specific area of Fort Polk where soldiers were trained to fight in the dense jungles of Vietnam. The film's climax takes place in this jungle environment, where the characters must face the harsh realities of war and confront their own mortality.

"Tigerland" is notable for its gritty, documentary-style approach to filmmaking. Schumacher used a handheld camera to capture the action, giving the film a very realistic and raw feel. The actors were also pushed to their physical limits during filming, with many of them performing their own stunts and enduring intense training regimens to prepare for their roles.

One of the film's strengths is the character development of Paxton and Bozz. Paxton starts out as a traditional young man who is eager to serve his country, but as he is confronted with the horrors of war, he begins to question his place in the army and the morality of the entire enterprise. Bozz, on the other hand, rejects the army's strict code of conduct and is portrayed as an individual who is willing to take risks and think outside of the box.

The film also does an excellent job of highlighting the tensions between different races and social classes in the army. Collins Jr.'s character, Pvt. Miter, is a Mexican-American who faces racism and discrimination from his fellow soldiers. The issue of race is explored in several different ways, and the film is unafraid to confront the realities of prejudice and bigotry in the military.

Overall, "Tigerland" is a powerful and emotionally affecting film that portrays the hellscape of war with a honesty and authenticity rarely seen in Hollywood films. The performances from Farrell, Davis, and the rest of the cast are excellent, and the film's unflinching approach to the horrors of war make it a must-see for fans of the genre.

Tigerland is a 2000 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 40 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9 and a MetaScore of 55.

Tigerland
Description
Where to Watch Tigerland
Tigerland is available to watch, stream, download and buy on demand at Hulu, Paramount+, Amazon Prime, Apple TV Channels, FuboTV, The Roku Channel, Apple TV, Amazon, Google Play and Vudu. Some platforms allow you to rent Tigerland for a limited time or purchase the movie and download it to your device.
  • Release Date
    2000
  • MPAA Rating
    R
  • Runtime
    1 hr 40 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    6.9  (43,178)
  • Metascore
    55