A pragmatic U.S. Marine observes the dehumanizing effects the U.S.-Vietnam War has on his fellow recruits from their brutal boot camp training to the bloody street fighting in Hue.
Acting
R. Lee Ermey's entire performance was improvised from real drill experience.
Direction
Kubrick shot in England—those are palm trees imported from Spain.
Writing
The duality structure: Paris Island horror vs. Hue's moral swamp.
Director
Stanley Kubrick
Matthew Modine
Pvt. Joker
Adam Baldwin
Animal Mother
Vincent D'Onofrio
Pvt. Pyle
R. Lee Ermey
Gny. Sgt. Hartman
Dorian Harewood
Eightball
Kevyn Major Howard
Rafterman
Arliss Howard
Pvt. Cowboy
Ed O'Ross
Lt. Touchdown
John Terry
Lt. Lockhart
Kieron Jecchinis
Crazy Earl
Kirk Taylor
Payback
Tim Colceri
Doorgunner
Jon Stafford
Doc Jay
Ian Tyler
Lt. Cleves
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Ermey was originally hired as a technical advisor; Kubrick replaced the actor playing Hartman after seeing Ermey's audition tapes.
The 'me love you long time' scene became an unfortunately ubiquitous pop culture reference, often stripped of its critique of exploitation.
US
