Filmmaker Oliver Stone Full Interview. A Beautifully Told Story.

I have posted hundreds of clips from interviews that I conducted in 1989 for my television series on the 1960s. Subscribers have asked me to post entire interviews. We created a unique interviewing style and one of my colleagues conducted this interview with Oliver Stone. We had specific subjects to raise in order to cover the issues presented in the series. There were many interviews where we wished we could have talked more broadly but with so many to do and a limited budget, we went right to the points that we knew needed to be explored. Oliver Stone was born on September 15, 1946. He is known for his controversial and thought-provoking films. Here are some highlights from his early life: Oliver was born in NYC to Louis Stone, a successful stockbroker, and Jacqueline Goddet Stone, a French woman who met Louis while he was serving in France during World War II. His parents divorced when he was a teenager, an event that deeply affected him. Stone mentioned in interviews that he felt isolated and struggled with his identity as a child of divorced parents and as a half-French, half-American individual. He attended Yale University but dropped out after only a year feeling restless and unsure of his direction in life. He traveled and worked odd jobs eventually teaching English at the Free Pacific Institute in South Vietnam. During his time at Yale he took a creative writing course that sparked his interest in storytelling. Oliver then enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the Vietnam War from 1967 to 1968. He was part of the 25th Infantry Division and later the 1st Cavalry Division, receiving several awards, including the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. This experience profoundly impacted him and would later influence his filmmaking career. Stone’s experiences in Vietnam greatly influenced his filmmaking. After completing his service, Stone attended Tisch School of the Arts at New York University, where he studied film under acclaimed director Martin Scorsese. It was during this time that Stone began to develop his voice, crafting the distinctive style and themes that would come to define his career. Stone’s films are seen as controversial for several reasons: Stone frequently tackles controversial subjects including the Vietnam War (“Platoon,“ 1986), the Kennedy assassination (“JFK,“ 1991), and the Watergate scandal (“Nixon,“ 1995). By delving into these contentious subjects, his films often provoke strong reactions and spark debate. Stone’s filmmaking style is characterized by intense visuals, dramatic storytelling, and a willingness to challenge conventional narratives. This approach is polarizing, with some viewers appreciating his creativity and others finding it sensationalist or manipulative. Some of Stone’s films have been criticized for alleged inaccuracies or misrepresentations. For example, “JFK“ was heavily criticized for promoting conspiracy theories and deviating from established facts about the Kennedy assassination. Such criticisms have led to debates over the responsibility of filmmakers when portraying history. Stone is known for his outspoken political views which often align with a left-wing perspective. He has been critical of U.S. foreign policy and government actions, which has led to controversy surrounding his work. Oliver Stone directed several films that touch on the Vietnam War. His most famous Vietnam War-related films include: “Platoon“ (1986) is perhaps Stone’s most well-known and critically acclaimed film. The film is a semi-autobiographical account of Stone’s experiences as a young soldier in Vietnam. “Platoon“ received critical acclaim for its realistic portrayal of the war and won four Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director for Stone. “Born on the Fourth of July“ (1989) is a biographical drama based on the autobiography of Ron Kovic, a Vietnam War vet who became an anti-war activist after being paralyzed during his service. The film explores the physical & emotional toll of the war on Kovic and his family, as well as his transformation into a prominent anti-war figure. “Born on the Fourth of July“ won two Academy Awards, including Best Director for Stone. “Heaven & Earth“ (1993) is the third installment in Stone’s Vietnam War trilogy. It is based on the memoirs of Le Ly Hayslip, a Vietnamese woman who lived through the war and eventually immigrated to the United States. The film focuses on Hayslip’s experiences during and after the war, exploring themes of survival, resilience, and the impact of war on civilians. These three films, collectively referred to as Stone’s “Vietnam War trilogy,“ are significant for their exploration of the war from various perspectives, including the experiences of American soldiers, a war veteran-turned-activist, and a Vietnamese civilian. Through these films, Stone sheds light on the complexities and consequences of the Vietnam War, while also drawing from his own experiences as a veteran.