The Top 10 U.S.M.C., Hollywood-style, Films
Nov 10 '09
The Bottom Line Many entertaining films have been produced about, involving, or related to the United States Marine Corps. For me, these represent the "best" of the breed.
In honor of the U.S. Marine Corps' Birthday (Nov. 10), I thought I'd list what I consider to be the Top 10 Hollywood-style movies (with one notable exception) regarding the U.S. Marine Corps. Not everyone will agree with my choices. There will be a title or set of titles which someone will consider to be egregiously included or excluded. That's expected. Some of the alternatives that would inevitably be proffered are films that I too find entertaining, provocative, or just, good old-fashioned fun. It's simply that they weren't included due to the fact that they did not meet my working definition of "best" - i.e., ‘excelling above all others; being the most productive of good; offering or producing the greatest advantage, utility, or satisfaction." (see Webster's) Presented in no particular order, the following list is simply what I, personally, feel to be -
The Top 10 U.S.M.C. Films
1. The D.I. (1957) - People come and go in life, but one individual you never forget is your Drill Instructor. Jack Webb's portrayal of Technical Sergeant Moore is entertaining and educational; exuding respect for both the institution and the audience. Further, it is, perhaps, the most realistic account of U.S. Marine Corps recruit training presented in a Hollywood film - bar none. Maybe The D.I. has something to teach today's generation. Finally available on DVD, see a full review of this film here - Jack Webb's The D.I. (1957) On DVD - It Has Something To Teach Today's Generation
2. The Sands of Iwo Jima (1949) - The role which earned John Wayne his first Oscar nomination; the events surrounding one of the Marine Corps iconic battles; and reference to the image which has become a symbol of Marine fighting spirit, service, and sacrifice... an image which captured a moment for which it was said would "insure a Marine Corps for the next 500 years." In point of fact, many consider this film, which climaxes with a reenactment of that moment, to be a critical factor in actually doing just that - saving the Marine Corps from disbandment during the Truman Administration prior to the Korean War. What more need be said?
3. Wake Island (1942) - Starring Brian Donlevy, Robert Preston, and William Bendix, this is an idealized account of how many Marines at the time thought this battle should have played out. In fact, at the time of this movie's release (August 1942), there were still questions and a considerable number of unknowns insofar as to what actually did transpire. William Bendix received an Oscar nomination as Best Supporting Actor based on his role as Private Aloysius "Smacksie" Randall; a performance which makes the movie worth seeing by itself.
4. Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison (1957) - This is probably my favorite Robert Mitchum movie. Legendary director John Huston and noted screenwriter John Lee Mahin both consider this to be one of their best works. Robert Mitchum and Deborah Kerr play Corporal Allison and Sister Angela, a Marine corporal and a Catholic nun who are stranded on an island in the Pacific during WWII. For a full review of this wonderful film, see Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison (1957) - A DVD Review.
5. Pride Of The Marines (1945) - Based a true story, John Garfield plays Marine Sergeant Albert Schmid who lost his sight to a Japanese grenade on Guadalcanal during action which earned him the Navy Cross. However, it is more than a story of battlefield heroism. It is the account of what happens when the man who left for war is not the Marine who returns from that war; physically or mentally. Finally released on DVD in August 2009, this is the story of how a member of the Greatest Generation faced issues confronting many of our returning warriors today.
6. Flags Of Our Fathers (2006) - Based on the book by James Bradley (son of one of the flag raisers at Iwo Jima) and Ron Powers, this Clint Eastwood directed motion picture is a look back at the real individuals and events which inspired The Sands Of Iwo Jima. Eastwood earned a Golden Globe nomination for best directing and the film received two Oscar nominations. In a very real sense, it explores some of the reality behind the legend; without detracting from the mythos.
7. Retreat, Hell (1952) - Released during the Korean War, Frank Lovejoy and Richard Carlson lead the cast which, in a very real sense, pays homage to the 1950 events of the Chosin Reservoir; a battle which ranks with Iwo Jima and Belleau Wood in the annals of Marine Corps history. In fact, the title itself is based on a quote, attributed to General O.P. Smith, Commander of the 1st Marine Division at the Chosin Reservoir. When asked by reporters if the Division's movement from the Chosin Reservoir to the coastal port of Hungnam constituted the first retreat in Marine Corps history, the General is purported to have responded: "Retreat, Hell! We're just attacking in another direction!" While there is some historical debate as to whether Smith actually used the word "Hell" (based primarily on his well established religious beliefs), the phrase has, nevertheless, become part of Marine Corps iconography. So far as I know, this has yet to be released on DVD; but, is still very much worth tracking down.
8. Rules Of Engagement (2000) - Tommy Lee Jones and Samuel L. Jackson. That about says it. Alright... Based on a story by former Secretary of the Navy (currently an U.S. Senator from Virginia) James Webb, this is an eerily prophetic "it could happen" scenario - not to mention poignant warning based on the fact that it has happened - regarding the Rules of Engagement now criticized as not only hampering our troops, but actually placing them in more danger. This isn't the paradigmatic ranting of a conservative ideologue. While Webb served in the Reagan Administration, he is now a Democratic Senator. He also served as a Marine officer during Vietnam; earning the Navy Cross, Silver Star, two Bronze Stars, and two Purple Hearts. Even further, his son served as an enlisted man in the Marine Corps and was actually deployed in Iraq during Webb's senatorial campaign.
9. Generation Kill (2008) - This is the one exception to the "Hollywood-style" film I mentioned above; though, in my opinion, it qualifies in that, while being a seven-part television series, it is now available on DVD. I do not think there is any better synopsis than that provided by HBO on the website dedicated to this series:
"Generation Kill follows the highly trained Marines of First Recon Battalion through the first 40 days of the Iraq War. The seven-part miniseries portrays the true story of the young Marines' at the tip of the spear of the American invasion, as they contend with equipment shortages, incompetent commanding officers, ever evolving Rules of Engagement and an unclear strategy. ‘Generation Kill' is based on the award-winning book by Evan Wright, who was embedded with First Recon and originally reported the story in a series of articles for Rolling Stone. The series also benefited greatly from the presence of two of the real-life Marines it depicts..." (see www.hbo.com/generationkill/)
This series is now available on DVD; but, can be expensive, so shop carefully. (Retail is around $60 - $70 depending on your source; but, Amazon currently has it for $29.)
10. Taking Chance (2009) - What is often not discussed is that on those occasions when a warrior returned "on their shield," someone had to carry that shield with the heroic dead upon it. It is in this act of bringing home one who has served that comrades demonstrate their loyalty, consider it their honor, and perform their duty as a portion of their service. If inquiry is made regarding this task, the proper response is ideally laconic: "Go tell the Spartans." Taking Chance is not a movie based on political ideology. It is about honoring the sacrifice of the individual and the individual's family, as well as the duty which every citizen has in contributing to the recognition of their service and the meaning it holds for those who remain as individuals in that same society. For a full review of this film, see Taking Chance (2009) - Kevin Bacon Defines What Is Meant By "Go Tell The Spartans"
There you have it.
234 years old and still not using a crutch or a truss.
Still ably supporting and defending the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic; bearing true faith and allegiance to the same.
Semper Fi
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