Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.5

Dog Tags Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf April 2, 2023

In the 1980s, filmmakers became more confident when exploring the darkness and psychological horrors of the Vietnam War, with Oliver Stone’s Oscar-winning “Platoon” developing audience interest in the experiences of those who fought in the conflict. There were many releases during the decade, some providing a respectful understanding of war, while others elected to transform the event into exploitation entertainment. 1987’s “Dog Tags” is somewhere in the middle. Writer/director Romano Scavolini looks to pour his own experiences as a war reporter into the screenplay, which details the agony of survival and battlefield confusion, blended with a little “The Treasure of Sierra Madre” flavoring to achieve some level of marketplace accessibility. “Dog Tags” isn’t “Platoon,” but Scavolini has a powerful understanding of sacrifice, and he’s attentive to the many dangers of the landscape, trying to generate more of a nightmare scenario than something mournful.

In the thick of the Vietnam War, Cecil (Clive Wood) has been tasked by Captain Newport (Mike Monty) to infiltrate an enemy prison and rescue a collection of soldiers held in muddy cells. He pulls off the mission, leading the men into the wild, planning to reach a rendezvous point with a waiting chopper. While dealing with wounded soldiers, including Roy (Baird Stafford), Cecil also fights off attacks and booby traps, struggling to make it out alive. Making his way to safety, Cecil is informed that the target has changed, with Newport suddenly demanding the men make their way to a downed chopper containing important military documents, tasked with retrieving the boxes and traveling to a new rescue spot. Cecil complies with his orders, but the path to the crash site is perilous, facing numerous dangers while trying to keep Roy alive, confronting a new reality of combat as they discover what their superiors are looking to protect.

“Dog Tags” is bookended by the story of Chris, a journalist trying to make sense of a tale of missing U.S. documents, making his way to the Philippines to interview a survivor of the retrieval experience, learning more about the mission. The screenplay jumps back in time to the war, with Cecil looking to pull off a prison rescue involving a collection of desperate men rotting away, with some in dire condition. It’s a physical challenge for the leader, who’s focused on making a date with a waiting chopper, only to face a change of orders at the last minute, complicating an already dangerous situation. “Dog Tags” offers initial tension with the prison break sequence, and Scavolini gets the violence going early, identifying threats arranged by enemy forces, including hidden explosives and traps, which allows the filmmaker to highlight bloodshed and the mangling of bodies, as Roy’s leg is wounded, forcing the rest of the soldiers to drag him to some form of safety.

“Dog Tags” settles down after the opening act, with Scavolini examining the mental break of men dealing with absolute fear, putting Cecil in a tough spot as he tries to lead everyone through the jungle. Characters aren’t defined outside of Cecil and Roy, but the journey is, as a crashed chopper contains valuable boxes, altering the reality of the mission and challenging relationships. There are plenty of B-movie moves in “Dog Tags,” and Scavolini isn’t shy about it, spending screen time on an amputation event that carries on long enough to confuse the helmer’s sincere plan to highlight the misery of war. Sexual situations and gratuitous nudity also detract from core messages of service and disillusionment, making this more of an actioner than a fascinating study of conflict and betrayal.

Dog Tags Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (2.39:1 aspect ratio) presentation on "Dog Tags" represents the "uncut original English language version" of the picture. A 4K scan of the 35mm interpositive, the viewing experience supports the often grisly examination of wartime horrors, doing well with detail, which examines wear and tear on the soldiers and their juicy wounds. Sweaty appearances are preserved, along with textured uniforms and weaponry. Exterior tours are dimensional, taking in the depths of the jungle, and military interiors retain particulars on communication and tracking devices. Colors are respectfully refreshed, with lush greenery throughout. Costuming registers with militaristic hues, and red blood is vivid. Screen readouts offer more extreme primaries, along with club lighting. Skin tones are natural. Delineation is satisfactory. Grain is heavy and film-like. Source is in good condition.

Dog Tags Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

A note from Vinegar Syndrome shares information about the 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix, which was pieced together from various sources to complete the uncut version of "Dog Tags," resulting in some "sound imperfections." The reality of the track isn't that severe, with volume fluctuations found during the listening event, and some mild damage. Intelligibility isn't threatened, capturing dialogue exchanges and argumentative behavior. Scoring delivers clear instrumentation and dramatic support. Atmospherics are also involving, with a sense of environmental changes, joined by snappy sound effects.

Dog Tags Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• "The Dogs of War" (51:48, HD) is an interview with director Romano Scavolini, who discusses his rising consciousness during the Vietnam War, eventually acquiring work as a journalist to cover aspects of conflict. Scavolini discusses his time in Vietnam, witnessing atrocities and enduring pains of his own, as he was mistakenly declared dead multiple times, confusing his loved ones. Ready to assemble his own picture about his experiences, the interviewee explores his choice of structure for the screenplay, trying to get inside the minds of the characters, and he highlights the physical challenges of the shoot, working with an all-Chinese crew in the middle of the jungle. Interestingly, Oliver Stone was making "Platoon" nearby, coming to Scavolini's technicians for help with certain special effects and film printing issues. Casting is examined, and the helmer goes into the details specifically put into "Dog Tags," aiming to make a realistic war movie based on his own observations.

• "Accepting the Mission" (8:31, HD) is an interview with executive producer Arthur Schweitzer, who originally worked with director Romano Scavolini on "Nightmare," ending up recutting the picture without the helmer's involvement. "Dog Tags" also required editorial attention, with Schweitzer put in charge of assembling the feature, turning it into something more commercial, which Scavolini wasn't happy with. The interviewee discusses the success of "Dog Tags," which ended up with cable rotation and some theatrical engagements around the world.

• Alternate Ending (1:46, HD) is provided.

• T.V. Spot (:32, SD) offers one commercial for "Dog Tags."

• A Theatrical Trailer (2:25, HD) and a Video Trailer (3:14, SD) are included.

Dog Tags Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Dog Tags" is more appreciable as an ultraviolent war film, going into the details of wounds and jeopardy, also commentating on the expendability of soldiers in a vivid manner. Scavolini has ideas worth sharing on the Vietnam War experience, and the cast capably communicates such torment. "Dog Tags" is overlong in this "uncut" version (editing would help here), but it does create some visceral experiences along the way, adding another layer of moviemaking texture to the cinematic understanding of wartime risk.