GARDENS OF STONE

US, 1987, 112 minutes, Colour.
James Caan, Anjelica Huston, James Earl Jones, D.B.Sweeney, Dean Stockwell, Mary Stuart Masterson, Elias Koteas, Laurence Fishburne.
Directed by Francis Ford Coppola.

Gardens of Stone is a low-key film about Vietnam. It focuses on the military cemetery at Arlington, a Garden of Stone. The setting is 1968-69, the focus on a young recruit (complementary in many ways to the young recruit in Platoon).

The film's action remains in the United States. The war is seen only in training manoeuvres and on the television.

It is surprising that this film was made by Francis Ford Coppola who had made what seemed to be the ultimate film on Vietnam, Apocalypse Now. The film fits into the pattern of 1986-87 and the investigation of Vietnam in such films as Full Metal Jacket, Hamburger Hill as well as Platoon.

The film marks a return to the screen of James Caan who had appeared in Coppola's Godfather films. Angelica Huston has a more routine role than is usual. There is an effective supporting cast led by James Earl Jones and Dean Stockwell.

While the film is worthy in its exploration again of American attitudes towards the war, it is a somewhat detached presentation of the issues.

1. The contribution of Francis Ford Coppola to screen images of Vietnam? This film in comparison with Apocalypse Now? In comparison with the films of 1986-87, the spate of Vietnam films?

2. The re-creation of the United States in 1968-69, at home and abroad, the effect of the war, the circumstances in Washington, stances of government? Deaths? The elusive victory? Defeat? In the perspective of 1986?

3. Washington, the army ambience, funerals and ceremonial, training, strict and meticulous discipline, soldiers relaxing? The war as seen in training manoeuvres and on the television?

4. The title and the reference to the cemetery at Arlington? The visuals, the accuracy and detail of the ceremonies? The burial place of John Kennedy? The numbers of funerals? The comment on Vietnam experience?

5. The flashback framework: the emotional impact of knowing that the hero had died, seeing him in his training and going to Vietnam?

6. Willow's story: the young innocent (like the hero of Platoon), arrival at Arlington, practical jokes, his character, intensity, Hazard and the friendship with his father? Goodie and his friendship, the tough inspection? Willow as tough and earnest, guard duty, clashes with the other men, friendships? Jovial? Rachel and his love for her, the letters, seeing her in Washington, going to her parents' home, at the restaurant, at Hazard's apartment, the proposal, marriage? The snobbery of Rachel's family? The long wedding sequence? His grief at his father's death? Wanting to go to Vietnam? The training manoeuvres? His going, the letters recounting his experience? His death? The return of his body, the ceremony, grief? The meaning of his life and death in battle? An American hero?

7. Hazard and his Vietnam, experience, stationed in Washington, friends, their continued appeal to Thomas, his ideas about the war, participation in drill and ceremonies, his falling in love with the Washington Post journalist, his interest in Willow, the relationship with, the reporter, at her office, the party and his punching the objector? His skill in the manoeuvres? His grief at Willow's death? The stances that he represented?

8. Goodie and his toughness, friendship with Hazard, the inspection, his mouth, fighting, helping, relationship with h-is wife, responsibilities the manoeuvres? Military man?

9. The reporter and her work, her views on the war, meeting Hazard, falling in love, sharing her life with him, friendship with Willow? Seeing her at work, at the party? The punch-up? Her helping Willow? At his wedding, consoling Rachel?

10. Thomas and his work, attitudes, authority, refusing Hazard's applications, being taken in the manoeuvres, his presence at the party?

11. The sketch of the various soldiers: fierce, gawky, with Willow, drill, manoeuvres, war and decorations? The new recruits and their impatience at yet another funeral? The attitude of Wild Man and his place, surprisingly successful in battle?

12. The portrait of tough army types, military life and discipline?

13. The war, seeing it on the television? The American attitude towards the war in 1968-69? The film as a piece of Americana, a necessary retrospect?