TIGERLAND (2000)

Directed By: Joel Schumacher
Written By: Ross Klavan & Michael McGruther
Cinematography By: Matthew Libatique
Editor: Mark Stevens

Cast: Colin Farrell, Matthew Davis, Michael Shannon, Arian Waring Ash, Clifton Collins Jr., Tom Guiry, Shea Wingham, Nick Searcy, Keith Ewell, Tori Kittles, Cole Hauser



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?

This film is misrepresented all the advertisements make it sound like an actual war film. A Vietnam war film when actually most of the film takes place during basic training.

This is a film that introduced audiences to Colin Farrell and it’s a impressive debut all the more amazing when you hear him speak outside of the film in his natural Irish accent. Here he is playing a southern army recruit. This film has hi playing a rebellious anti-hero and heartthrob that he seems like he was born to play in the mold of a rougher James dean.

This is a naturalistic film and realistic. The characters feel real and not like types. Even as they fill stock character roles we have seen before.
The film is low budget making everything look cheap and gritty. Which works to the movies favor. The camera work which is all hand held.

The film has barely any women in it. This is truly a man’s man film, Though the ladies will love it due to all the shirtless scenes. This film is down and dirty. It’s hard to believe it was made by Joel Schumacher, Who with this film makes a return to his more independent roots. He is obviously trying to be more artistic then the huge Hollywood spectecales he had been making. (Especially after BATMAN AND ROBIN had bombed and been universally ridiculed) And trying to show that he is not a hack. The film isn’t wholly successful, but it’s a improvement. In some ways he may have gone overboard in trying to prove his credibility. I believe this film would have been better received if it had been made by some new director fresh from film school. Instead of the notorious filmmaker.

The actors had to rough it as there were no trailers, Make-up artists and hair stylists or any other typical luxuries usually on film sets. It helped set them in mind as the characters and what they were experiencing.

In all fairness I did meet Joel Schumacher before this film came out and he told me all about the filming of it and how he tried to change up his style. SO if you find me bias that might be it. As he treated me very nicely and respectfully and spoke to me as a professional and truthfully. I still think this film is a gem

GRADE: B