If you enjoy war films, there’s one that still stands above the rest for many viewers, even decades after it first came out. It’s often described as one of the most realistic and hard-hitting films ever made about conflict, and people still recommend it as essential viewing today.

Released in the 1980s, it quickly made a name for itself and has since been seen as a true classic of the genre. It still holds impressive ratings, with an 89% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes and an audience score of 93%. Fans have not held back when describing just how good they think it is.

One person said: “Best film ever made. It’s Oliver Stone’s epic war masterpiece that never gets old. This is one of those movies that no one should miss. Even if you are not the war-movie type of a person, you should see it for it’s magnificent pictures and use of color.”

Another added: “Coming from someone who has actually been to war, this is an honest and gruelling masterpiece which has been underrated for a long time.”

The film in question is Platoon, the 1986 war drama directed by Oliver Stone.

A third wrote: “No doubt about it… this is one of the greatest movies made. History besides, Stone covers the Vietnam experience better than all other attempts combined. This is a movie with an impact.”

Someone else commented: “This is without a doubt the best movie made about the Vietnam War. Everything about it is either flawless.”

The film stars Charlie Sheen as Chris Taylor, a young US Army volunteer sent to fight in Vietnam.

It follows his experience on the ground as tensions rise within his platoon, particularly between his platoon sergeant and squad leader, played by Tom Berenger and Willem Dafoe.

The story is based on Oliver Stone’s own experience serving in the Vietnam War.

Released in 1986, it was a major box-office success, earning $ 137.9 million on a $ 6 million budget.

It was nominated for eight Academy Awards and won four, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Sound and Best Film Editing.

The film also picked up major wins at the Golden Globe Awards, including Best Motion Picture – Drama and Best Director, as well as Best Supporting Actor for Tom Berenger.

It went on to win Best Direction and Best Editing at the BAFTAs, along with awards from the Directors Guild of America and the Independent Spirit Awards.

Over the years, it has continued to receive recognition and was later added to the United States National Film Registry for being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant”.

For those who want to watch it, Platoon is currently available to stream on BBC iPlayer.