Michael is a fictional character representing the capable working-class American soldier deeply affected psychologically by the war, embodying themes of survival, loyalty, and trauma.

Nick is a fictional character whose descent into psychological destruction, particularly through the Russian Roulette scenes, symbolizes the devastating and irretrievable losses caused by the war for some individuals.

Steven is a fictional character representing the physical cost of the war, showing the profound impact of severe disability on veterans and their families upon returning home.

Stanley is a fictional character, part of the core group, perhaps representing those who return from war but process or display their experiences differently, or a continuation of pre-war attitudes.

John is a fictional character representing the community element back home, the friend who remains relatively unchanged and provides a familiar anchor point.

Axel is a fictional member of the close-knit group of friends from the steel town.

The film is praised for its authentic portrayal of the atmosphere, rituals (wedding, hunting), and tight-knit community bonds within a specific American working-class, immigrant-descendant environment (Clairton, PA).

The film captures the chaos, fear, and sudden brutality of jungle warfare effectively, though it focuses more on the psychological impact than specific tactical accuracy.

American soldiers were captured by the Viet Cong, so capture itself is historically plausible within the war context.

This is the film's most controversial element. There is no historical evidence that the Viet Cong regularly or systematically used Russian Roulette as a method of torture or execution against American POWs.

While POW escapes occurred, the specific dramatic escape sequence involving turning the Russian Roulette game on the captors is fictional.

Severe, life-altering injuries like the loss of limbs were a tragic reality for many soldiers in Vietnam due to mines, gunfire, etc.

Michael's alienation, emotional numbness, and difficulty reconnecting with his former life accurately reflects the challenges and PTSD symptoms faced by many returning Vietnam veterans.

Nick's fate is tied to the fictional Russian Roulette motif. However, his psychological destruction represents the severe trauma some soldiers experienced, even if the specific manifestation is inaccurate.

The film effectively captures the chaos, desperation, and danger during the final days of Saigon, including scenes evoking the US Embassy evacuation.

This plot point, including Michael navigating the fall of Saigon to find Nick in a Russian Roulette den, is entirely fictional.

Tied to the fictional premise, Nick's death serves as the tragic culmination of his trauma within the film's narrative but has no basis in historical fact regarding common war experiences.

This final scene is ambiguous but powerfully depicts the characters' grief, fragile community, and complex relationship with patriotism after their experiences. It reflects an emotional truth for many.

Despite factual inaccuracies elsewhere, the film is widely recognized for its powerful and groundbreaking portrayal of the deep psychological scars left by the Vietnam War on soldiers.

Though filmed partly in Ohio and elsewhere, the movie convincingly portrays the gritty, industrial atmosphere, homes, and social hubs (bar, church) of a mid-20th century American steel town.

The extended wedding sequence captures cultural details and traditions specific to the characters' Russian-American heritage and community.

Scenes depicting the mountainous Pennsylvania landscape and the ritual of deer hunting are visually authentic and thematically important.

Filmed in Thailand, the locations effectively simulate the challenging jungle and riverine environments where American soldiers fought in Vietnam.

The specific depiction (submerged cages, Russian Roulette hut) is tied to fictional events, but visually evokes a primitive, brutal captivity setting.

The film captures the vibrant, chaotic, and sometimes sordid atmosphere of wartime Saigon, including the contrast between local life and the presence of foreigners/military personnel.

Recreates the panic, crowds, and sense of collapse during the final days of South Vietnam in April 1975, particularly the desperate evacuation scenes.

Costumes, vehicles, music, and general A/V aesthetics accurately reflect the different time periods and locations depicted in the film.

Scenes inside the steel mill effectively convey the heat, noise, danger, and industrial nature of the work dominating the characters' lives back home.