PURPLE HEARTS

US, 1984, 116 minutes, Colour.
Cheryl Ladd, Ken Wahl, Paul Mc Crane, R. Lee Ermey.
Directed by Sidney J.Furie.

Purple Hearts is one of the many films made about Vietnam in the mid 80s. It shows action. However, its focus is on personal relationships, romance. With its title, it also focuses on war heroism and government acknowledgement of such heroism. The film was co-written and directed by Englishman Sidney J. Furie. Furie also directed the 70s Vietnam film, The Boys in Company C. (Fury also made such films as The Naked Runner, Superman IV, The Entity.) Ken Wahl, televisions Wiseguy, is quiet and tough as the navy doctor. Television's Cheryl Ladd (Charlie's Angels and many telemovies) is the nurse with whom he becomes romantically involved. There are the usual scenes of action, shown with some vividness - though not as strong as the films that would come a few years later like Platoon, Full Metal Jacket, Hamburger Hill. The film might be compared with Born on the Fourth of July, though it lacks that film's critics and political passion. Purple Hearts pays tribute to those who served in Vietnam, but ultimately is a traditional romantic war movie.

1. The Vietnam war films? American memories? Tributes? The tradition of the war film? War film formulas?

2. Philippine locations for Vietnam? The army bases, actions sequences, Saigon and the cities? The special effects and stunt work for the action sequences? The musical Score?

3. The title, the romantic overtones, the war tributes and medals? The dedication of the film?

4. The focus on Dr John Jardian? At work in Vietnam? The short time there? Action sequences, the wounded, his skills in the hospital? Work? Relationships? Friendships? The superior officer and the antagonism? His being sent on special missions? Using his skills? Concern about the man who would die, commandeering the plane, accompanying him to the city? The soldier's death? The encounter with Deborah during the operation? The aftermath, their talking, his blunt proposal and her rejection? His tiredness and desperation? His return, interest in her, change of heart? His going into more active service, the special raid, the attack? his work, saving lives, surviving? The further encounters with Deborah, his respect for her, falling in love, their affair? His reaction to her fears? The attack, the wounding, on the ship? Her going on leave, his wanting to follow? The pressure on his commanding officer? His being seconded for the special raid, going on R & R, the encounter with her, momentary jealousy? The bond between them, communication, hope for the future? The mission, the exploding helicopter, going through the jungle with the wounded officer, the raid for the rice, his bringing the officer to safety? The desperation and his contemplating suicide? The news about Deborah's death? His return to the states, going to Seattle, searching her out, thinking her dead, the grief at her not being there, her sudden presence, a future? Portrait of and American soldier, doctor?

6. Deborah, her medical background, family? Wanting to serve America? Her work in Vietnam, in operations? The attraction towards Don? Her reaction to his proposal The work, her friends? The late encounters, warming towards him, his showing her respect? The memory of the past relationship and the death of her friend? Being wounded? On the ship, going to Manila, his turning up, her wanting him to lie? Thinking that he was dead, not giving up hope? The return to America, Meeting him again?

7. The presentation of the Vietnam soldiers, Don and his friends, the hospital staffs? Commanding officers and tensions? The leaders of particular missions? Briefings? In action? The black medical orderly and his surgical skills, Don supporting him?

8. Deborah and her friends, the nurses, relationship with the men, the dates? The moral support?

9. The picture of the war, the battles, the casualties, the dangers? Hostility towards the Vietnamese? War, brutality, heroism? The doctors and healing?

10. The place of this film in the spate of Vietnam war films of the 80s? American memories, tributes?