Taglines: The system wanted them to become soldiers. One soldier just wanted to be human.
Tigerland movie storyline. In September 1971, a platoon of recruits arrives in Ft. Polk, LA, for infantry training before leaving for war. The final week takes place in Tigerland, a swamp similar to Vietnam. Jim Paxton has enlisted; he wants to experience everything and write books later. He befriends Roland Bozz, a cool Texan with a gift for getting into trouble and for helping misfits get discharges.
At least one sociopath in the platoon hates Bozz, even as the sergeants grudgingly recognize his leadership abilities. As the platoon heads into its week in Tigerland, Paxton’s body gives out, Bozz makes plans to go AWOL, and the sociopath gets hold of live ammo. Is the Louisiana swamp more dangerous than the DMZ?
Tigerland is a 2000 American war drama film directed by Joel Schumacher starring Colin Farrell in the role of Private Roland Bozz, and takes place in a training camp for soldiers to be sent to the Vietnam War. Other starring are Matthew Davis, Shea Whigham, Cole Hauser, Clifton Collins Jr., Russell Richardson, Thomas Guiry, Arian Ash, Nick Searcy and Afemo Omilami.
Tigerland was the name of a U.S. Army training camp during the mid-1960s to early 1970s located at Fort Polk, Louisiana as part of the U.S. Army Advanced Infantry Training Center. As often the last stop for new infantrymen on their way to Vietnam, Tigerland was established in humid and muggy Fort Polk in order to closely mimic the environmental conditions of South Vietnam. While the film’s setting is loosely based on Fort Polk, the film was actually filmed at Camp Blanding in Florida.
About the Story
It is September 1971 and it is clear that the US is losing the Vietnam War. In the opinion of the average American soldier who came of age during the Peace movement of the 1960s, Vietnam was “lost a long time ago”. Roland Bozz (Colin Farrell), a draftee who is opposed to the war, is shown to be an unruly soldier with no respect for authority; he disobeys orders and talks back to his superiors.
He quickly befriends another recruit, Jim Paxton (Matthew Davis), an aspiring writer who records his experiences in a personal journal. Unlike Bozz, Paxton volunteered for the Army. Upon reaching their post, the company commanding officer Captain Saunders makes it clear that every soldier who passes through Fort Polk and Tigerland will be sent to Vietnam. He also states that any political views on the war are irrelevant at this point.
As the film progresses, another side of Bozz is shown. Having “x-ray vision for loopholes”, Bozz finds ways for soldiers to get out of the army—one because he not only has children but also a handicapped wife; another soldier, Miter (Clifton Collins Jr.), who joined to prove his manhood but finds himself way over his head. At one point, another soldier approaches Bozz while on leave and asks for help getting out, saying “I was told if you don’t wanna go to ‘Nam, you either pray to Jesus, or go see Roland Bozz.”
Bozz also shows his reasoning behind being opposed to the war: his human compassion. Eventually Bozz’s natural leadership and ability earns him the title of squad leader (sometimes called acting Jack). Another private, Wilson (Shea Whigham), a racial bigot and instigator, continuously demeans Miter and Bozz. Bozz is the only one that retaliates, which results in a fight between the two. Paxton helps break up the fight and also earns the hatred of Wilson.
Later, while doing live fire exercises, Wilson threatens Bozz with a pistol. Bozz tries to disarm Wilson, and the two wrestle each other to the ground, Wilson getting the upper hand and putting the gun to the back of Bozz’s head and pulling the trigger. Miraculously, the gun misfires, saving Bozz’s life. The Commanding Officer lets Bozz choose the punishment: have Wilson court-martialed or “let me deal with him”, strongly suggesting the latter. Despite the commanding officer strongly pressing to let him deal with it, Bozz says he wants Wilson “out of the army” because he recognizes Wilson has taken an emotional beating ever since his inability to command became obvious. Bozz leaves the office saying he wants Wilson out.
Tigerland (2000)
Directed by: Joel Schumacher
Starring: Colin Farrell, Matthew Davis, Shea Whigham, Cole Hauser, Clifton Collins Jr., Russell Richardson, Thomas Guiry, Arian Ash, Nick Searcy, Afemo Omilami
Screenplay by: Ross Klavan, Michael McGruther
Production Design by: Andrew Laws
Cinematography by: Matthew Libatique
Film Editing by: Mark Stevens
Costume Design by: Thomas Stokes
Set Decoration by: Shawn R. McFall
Art Direction by: Stephanie Girard
Music by: Nathan Larson
MPAA Rating: R for violence, pervasive language, a scene of strong sexuality and some drug use.
Distributed by: 20th Century Fox
Release Date: October 6, 2000
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