- Director
- Writers
- Waldo Salt(screenplay)
- Robert C. Jones(screenplay)
- Nancy Dowd(story)
- Stars
- Director
- Writers
- Waldo Salt(screenplay)
- Robert C. Jones(screenplay)
- Nancy Dowd(story)
- Stars
- Won 3 Oscars
- 14 wins & 16 nominations total
Videos1
- Bozoas Bozo
- (as Lou Carello)
- Director
- Writers
- Waldo Salt(screenplay)
- Robert C. Jones(screenplay)
- Nancy Dowd(story)
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
- All cast & crew
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe opening scene where the vets in the hospital are talking was unscripted. They were real Vietnam vets discussing their own views about the war. Jon Voight was supposed to have added to the dialogue, but out of respect, stayed silent and listened.
- GoofsNot only is Bob's long hair and mustache out of place for a Marine captain, there isn't a military haircut on any able-bodied soldier in the film.
- Quotes
Marine Recruiter: The Marine Corps builds body, mind and spirit. Thank you.
High School Class Pres.: And now, with a different perspective, we have Luke Martin, combat veteran of the Marine Corps.
Luke Martin: Sergeant, do you mind if I ask you a question?
Marine Recruiter: No, sir.
Luke Martin: Just call me Sergeant. That's what I was. Where were you stationed?
Marine Recruiter: Danang.
Luke Martin: [Luke's speech is spliced with final scene of Capt. Bob Hyde where he is at the beach] You know, you want to be a part of it, patriotic, go out and get your licks in for the U.S. of A. And when you get over there, it's a totally different situation. I mean, you grow up real quick. Because all you're seeing is, um, a lot of death. And I know some of you guys are going to look at the uniformed man and you're going to remember all the films and you're going to think about the glory of other wars and think about some vague patriotic feeling and go off and fight this turkey too. And I'm telling you it ain't like it's in the movies. That's all I want to tell you, because I didn't have a choice. When I was your age, all I got was some guy standing up like that, man, giving me a lot of bullshit, man, which I caught. I was really in good shape then, man. I was captain of the football team. And I wanted to be a war hero, man, I wanted to go out and kill for my country. And now, I'm here to tell you that I have killed for my country or whatever. And I don't feel good about it. Because there's not enough reason, man, to feel a person die in your hands or to see your best buddy get blown away. I'm here to tell you, it's a lousy thing, man. I don't see any reason for it. And there's a lot of shit that I did over there that I find fucking hard to live with. And I don't want to see people like you, man, coming back and having to face the rest of your lives with that kind of shit. It's as simple as that. I don't feel sorry for myself. I'm a lot fucking smarter now than when I went. And I'm just telling you that there's a choice to be made here.
- Crazy creditsFour members of the film crew are designated as "Friends who did everything".
- SoundtracksHey Jude
Written by Paul McCartney (uncredited) and John Lennon (uncredited)
Performed by The Beatles (as Beatles)
EMI Records Inc.
However, my one complaint is with the Dern character. In this I speak from some personal experience, as a vet with a tour of duty in Nam. This may be quibbling, but...perhaps his contract had a clause prohibiting cutting his hair, but the locks (for a Marine captain) are much too long. He would have received a direct order to get them cut . Also, the close relationship between Dern and the sergeant is out of character. Marine Corps Captains did not hang out with E5 enlisted men. This is even more blatant in the scene after Dern's return from Nam when he goes out drinking and brings home three enlisted Marines. A Marine Corps Captain would not be drinking in uniform with enlisted men on or near the base - let alone bringing them home. I won't go into the problems I have with Dern's apparent and largely unexplained repulsion at what his men did in the field. However, Dern aside, the film itself has a very authentic feel to it and there are unforgettable scenes such as those in the VA hospital and Voigt's final speech to high school students as Tim Buckley's haunting "One I Was" can be heard in the background. In many respects this film is the direct antithesis of Kubrick's "Full Metal Jacket", which while visually authentic suffers from a lack of emotion.
- dnegri1
- Dec 26, 2000
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $3,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $32,653,905
- Gross worldwide
- $32,653,905
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