Full Metal Jacket, produced in 1987, is a movie directed by Stanley Kubrick, which highlights the experiences of Vietnam War soldiers. The title of the movie depicts the metal jackets worn by foot soldiers. Through the film, the director seeks to showcase Gustav Hasford’s novel (The Short-timers) by following a platoon of U.S marines. New recruits undergo a rigorous training under the command of a drill instructor, Sergeant Hartman, who prepares them for grueling combats ahead. Full Metal Jacket earned rare plaudits from the Academy Award after its nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay, and after the American Film Institute put the movie at number 95 of the “ 100 Years, 100 Thrills” list in 2001. Movie pundits would agree that Full Metal Jacket is one of the best films which seek to express the experiences of soldiers and journalists during a combat war.
Full Metal Jacket begins with the arrival of new platoon of U.S Marines at the Parris Island. The new recruits have their heads shaved and meet their instructor, Sergeant Hartman. In a bid to harden the new recruits, Sergeant Hartman employs ruthless training tactics. Among the new Marine Corps are Privates “Cowboy”, “Joker” and the lousy Leonard who Hartman christens “Gomer Pyle”. The film stars Matthew Modine (the main character), as Private James “Joker” Davis, who initially starts as a recruit and later becomes a war correspondent. Vincent D’Onofrio also stars in the movie as Private Leonard, and his excessive weight and inability to perform tasks with ease attracts the wrath of Sergeant Hartman.
Also starring in the movie is Lee Ermey who performs as Sergeant Hartman. The sergeant is revered by the recruits for his ruthless training tactics and mean demeanor. Arliss Howard also stars in the film as Private Cowboy. Cowboy later assumes control of his team after the death of its squad leader. Adam Baldwin also stars in the film as a machine gunner who is christened “animal mother”. Others starring in the movie include Dorian Harewood as “Eightball”, Kevyn Howard as “Rafterman” and John Stafford as “Doc Jay”.
In the beginning, Pyle is quite sluggish and has to be paired with Joker in order to improve tactically. The pairing helps Pyle to make notable improvements, but Hartman is not convinced that the recruits are making enough efforts to push Pyle to improve after noticing a doughnut in Pyle’s locker. This attracts the wrath of the sergeant who swears to punish the whole platoon for every mistake Pyle makes. The platoon members are not pleased with Sergeant Hartman’s move and avenge by harassing Pyle with all sorts ridiculous punishments: from confining him in his bunk to beating him up with towels. Despite these challenges, Pyle improves tactically, a move that impresses the sergeant. However, before long, Private Joker notices signs of mental anguish in Pyle who keeps on talking to his rifle.
It does not take long before the recruits graduate and receive special assignments, with Private Joker being assigned to Journalism. On the last day at Paris Island, something bizarre happens when Joker notices Pyle in the bathroom with a loaded rifle. In an attempt to calm down Pyle, a commotion ensues attracting the attention of the other platoon members and Sergeant Hartman, as well. As the sergeant confronts Pyle, he becomes mad, shoots the sergeant and commits suicide.
In the following year, Joker is assigned as a Marine War correspondent for the Stars and the Stripes alongside photographer Rafterman. However, their journalism experience is cut short by a Tet Offensive carried out by Vietnamese Armies who invade their base. Soon, Joker and Rafterman go to Phu Bai where Cowboy is the sergeant now. Later, the journalists accompany the squad on a mission christened the “Battle of Hue” where they witness the killing of the platoon commander. After the combat subsides, the journalists engage in a mission to interview the marines on their Vietnam experiences and opinions about the battle. However, the squad leader is killed during the patrol which leaves Cowboy as the squad leader.
As the marines attempt to move from the area, they get lost which prompts Cowboy to order Eightball to survey the area. Eightball is shot right away by a Vietnamese sniper, and the team’s doctor is also shot in an attempt to save Eightball. Unfortunately, tank support is not available at the moment and the team has to withdraw. The squad becomes more vulnerable after Cowboy is also shot while attempting to maneuver towards the sniper. “Animal Mother” now in command, leads the team to attack the sniper whom Joker discovers to be a teenage girl. Rafterman shoots the girl wounding her seriously, and Joker fires the killing shot. As the soldiers return to their camp, Joker is happy to be alive despite the anxiety within the remaining platoons.
Full Metal Jacket has attracted high approval ratings since its release, which is a statement of a good quality film, and it is not a mystery that the film has won several awards over the years. One of the most notable things from the film is that, apart from depicting the combat experience in Vietnam, the film succeeds in creating an emotional touch to the film from the moment the new platoon recruits fade in training to the time when the squad is subdued by a lone Vietnamese sniper without tank support.
Works Cited
Denby, David. "Death Trap ." New York Magazine 13 July 1987: 54. Print.
Dittmar, Linda and Gene Michaud. Fom Hanoi to Hollywood: Vietnam War in American Film. New Brunswick, NJ. Rutgers University Press, 1990. Print.
Full Metal Jacket. Dir. Stanley Kubrick. Perf. Mathew Modime, Vincent D'Onofrio, Adam Baldwin, Arliss Howard, and Ermey, Lee . 1987. Film.
Morag, Raya. Defeated Masculinity: Post-Traumatic Cinema in the Aftermath of War. New York, Ny: Peter Lang, 2009. Print.
Palmer, William J. The Films of the Eighties: A Social History. Carbondale, IL: SIU Press, 1995. Print.
