The United States Marine Corps has been honored in movies since the early days of Hollywood. By definition, the U.S.Marinesrepresent a branch of the American military that covers missions on land and at sea. Nearly every type of film, from thrilling action movies to tender romance stories to compelling courtroom dramas, has been led by fictional andsometimes real-life Marine veterans.
It makes sense that so many stories would want to feature Marines at their core becausethe military branch is known for valuing honor, strength, duty, and commitmentmaking many of their stories true feats of heroism. With Hollywood celebrating the Marines over the years, it’s worth looking at some of their best depictios on the big screen and why the films do well to honor the Marines' most treasured values. It’s worth noting that while these films depict the U.S. Marine experience, few of them shy away from touching on the harsh realities of war and its often devastating aftermath.
The Forgotten Battalionis a documentary whose emotional story will surely touch audiences. The film details a group of Marine veterans who band together to try and help each other with their PTSD. The Marines' emotional pain and suffering is on full, raw dislay, which creates an intimate viewing experience and shines a light on the struggles facing soldiers coming home from war, especially the Afghanistan War.
TheForgotten Battalionalso boasts an evident attention to historical detail, which transports audiences to the harsh realities of battle.Addressing themes of bravery, resilience, and the importance of remembering those who served,TheForgotten Battalionis not just a war story but a tribute to the human spirit. By honoring these forgotten heroes, the film ensures their legacy lives on, making it a compelling documentary experience.
Heartbreak Ridgecombines action, drama, and humor while still offering an engrossing story about the Marines. The film showcasesClint Eastwood’s talents as both an actor and director of war movies, as Eastwood plays the film’s lead, Gunnery Sergeant Tom Highway. Set against the backdrop of the U.S. Marine Corps, the film follows the seasoned Sergeant Highway as he whips a group of misfit recruits into shape.Eastwood’s portrayal of Highway captures the pressure of leadership while balancing the bonds formed in military life.
The film effectively explores themes of redemption, camaraderie, and the challenges of adapting to change, particularly in the post-Vietnam War era. Highway and his recruits also have a touching relationship that adds depth to the story. With its engaging storyline, strong performances, and memorable dialogue,Heartbreak Ridgenot only entertains but also offers a poignant reflection on some of the Marines' values, like duty, sacrifice, and the importance of teamwork.
Last Flag Flyingexplores the complexities of friendship, grief, and the lasting hardships of war. Directed byprolific filmmaker Richard Linklater, the filmfollows three Vietnam War veterans who reunite for the funeral of one of their sons, a Marine killed in Iraq.Last Flag Flyingfeatures powerful performances from Steve Carell, Bryan Cranston, and Laurence Fishburne, who bring nuanced depth to their characters' emotions. Through its thoughtful dialogue and clever storytelling,Last Flag Flyinglooks at the lasting impact of military service on personal lives while highlighting themes of loss, loyalty, and the search for meaning in an ever-changing world.
The film balances humor and heartache, as it honors the military experience, especially those of Marines.Last Flag Flyingserves as a moving tribute to the bonds formed in combat and the enduring pain of war, making it a deeply emotional film.
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Man Downoffers a fascinating look at the psychological effects Marines felt upon returning home. The film stars Shia LaBeouf in one of his only memorable films of the decade, as Gabriel Drummer, a Marine struggling to adjust to civilian life after completing a tour in Afghanistan. The film effectively portrays the themes of trauma, loss, and the search for redemption.
Utilizing a non-linear story,Man Downcleverly reflects the often sporadic feelings of trauma that many veterans face. Notably,the movie also does a great job depicting the vital role of military families, as Drummer’s family is his biggest source of strength and support. Regardless of the troubles surrounding its main star,Man Downshines a light on veterans' mental health with such visual detail that it’s a must-see for anyone who appreciates raw, emotional storytelling.
Megan Leaveyis a powerful film depicting the bond between a Marine and her working military dog, Rex. Based on thetrue story of Marine hero Megan Leavey, the film highlights loyalty, courage, and the emotional challenges veterans face. Leavey is played by Kate Mara, who delivers a heartfelt performance as the title character, showing her journey from a troubled young woman to a dedicated Marine.
The film is unique because it focuses on female Marines and service animals,both of whom, sadly, aren’t seen too often in military films. But aside from its different characters and story, the movie’s authentic portrayal of military life and the touching relationship between Leavey and Rex create an emotional experience that depicts the sacrifices made by humans and animals in war.Megan Leaveyis a moving tribute to the strength of companionship when faced with the brutal realities of war.
Rules of Engagementshares many similarities withA Few Good Men, as both films are courtroom dramas that focus on military ethics. However,Rules of Engagementshouldn’t be considered a rip-off of Rob Reiner’s ’80s classic. No, the film differentiates itself by focusing on a 30-year Marine veteran, played by Samuel L. Jackson, who appoints a fellow Marine, played by Tommy Lee Jones, to defend him in court after he is after a rescue mission goes terribly wrong.All the while, the audience believes Jackson’s character’s innocence due to the actor’s nuanced and believable performance.
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The film examines the relationship between Jackson and Jones' characters as their bond is tested through the grueling legal process.Rules of Engagementis a compelling legal drama that offers excellent emotional moments while providing an intimate look at the bonds between Marines.
Windtalkershighlights the critical role of Native American code talkers during World War II, whose contributions are seldom seen in mainstream cinema. Specifically, the film focuses on the Navajo Marines and how they used their native language to create an indestructible code to ultimately win the war.Windtalkersisdirected by John Woo, who was also behind action films likeFace/OffandThe Killer. Despite his reputation as an action director, Woo does an excellent job balancing spectacle and heart throughout the film.
Windtalkersstars Nicolas Cageand Adam Beach, and both actors, along with the rest of the cast, give subtle performances to make the story come to life. The film accurately explores the cultural clashes between Native American soldiers with their white counterparts while still reinforcing the idea that, at the end of the day, they are all proud to support the war effort.
Starringthe late River Phoenix,Dogfightis a different kind of Marine film. First, it takes place just before a group of Marines are set to be deployed to Vietnam. Prior to their departure, the Marines host a “dogfight” party, a cruel gathering which involves all the men bringing the ugliest women they can find to a bar for a party. Along the way, Phoenix’s character, Eddie, falls in love with his date, Rose (Lili Taylor).The film follows their romance and Eddie’s anxiety about being shipped to Vietnam.
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The acting is impeccable, as viewers completely fall for the tender romance between Eddie and Rose, with Phoenix and Taylor having chemistry to bun.Dogfightalso explores conflicts like duty, personal responsibility, and humility. It’s tragic that Phoenix passed away just two years afterDogfight’s release at the age of 23, as the film featured one of his best performances.
Clint Eastwood also directedLetters from Iwo Jima, which showcases the director’s masterful storytelling talent. The story offers a poignant perspective on the pivotal battle of Iwo Jima during World War II and is told from the viewpoint of Japanese soldiers, which is not often seen in World War II films, thus giving viewers a rare glimpse into their experiences. It’s worth noting thatLetters from Iwo Jimais a companion piece to Eastwood’s other Marine-centered film,Flags of Our Fathers.
On its own though,Letters from Iwo Jimabrings a multitude of emotional depth that is enhanced by powerful performances, particularly from Ken Watanabe, who plays General Tadamichi Kuribayash. The film perfectly depicts the beauty of Japan, juxtaposed to the harsh realities of war.Since its release,Letters from Iwo Jimahas been praised by historiansfor its truly unique and accurate storytelling.Eastwood’s direction, coupled with the film’s cinematography and believable performances, creates a story that is truly like no other in the military genre.
Born on the Fourth of Julyis perhaps one of the most controversial filmsdirected by Oliver Stone. However, the film is incredibly powerful as it explores the challenging journey of Ron Kovic (Tom Cruise), a Vietnam War veteran whose life is forever changed by his experiences in combat. Kovic tragically becomes paralyzed from the waist down following his tour in the Vietnam War. By the end ofBorn On the Fourth of July,Kovic becomes a fierce anti-war protester, which some experts argue is an appropriate reaction to his traumatizing experiences in Vietnam.
Kovic’s transformation from an enthusiastic young recruit to a battle-scarred veteran living with both paralysis and PTSD makes this one of Tom Cruise’s best performances.However, the film’s emotional depth comes not just from Cruise’s performance but its thought-provoking presentation of the harsh realities many veterans have to live with after returning home.Stone never sugarcoats the suffering that Kovic is living with while also creating an intense tone that mirrors the nature of Kovic’s suffering.Born on the Fourth of Julyis a powerful commentary on veterans' mental health, which wasn’t often seen on screen when the film was released.
