Top 10 Recent Movies about Marines
The Top 10 Recent Movies about Marines is a short list of some of the more popular Marine movies to date. Many of the Marines were played by actors. These actors may not have earned the Title, their portrayal brings great credit upon our Corps. The list is in no particular order and focuses on modern day film. Clicking on any of the images below will redirect you from this page to the movie rentals.
Devil Dog Shirts feels that the preservation of our legacy is important in not only our history, yet in popular culture as well. These are merely some movies out there that give credit to our Eagle, Globe, and Anchor! If you feel that we missed someone in Top 10 Movies about Marines, let us know. hq@devildogshirts.com
The Pacific
The Pacific is a 10-part made for TV movie. It’s focus is on GySgt John Basilone, E.B. Sledge, and Robert Leckie. E.B. Sledge’s account was based on his book, “With the Old Breed.” Robert Leckies story came from his book, “A Helmet for my Pillow.”
Flags of Our Fathers
Flags of Our Fathers is a movie that was directed by Clint Eastwood. However, it gets it’s story from a book written by James Bradley. Flags of our Fathers is a story about the Battle of Iwo Jima. Many Marines died during that battle. Yet the iconic image of the flag raising on Mt Suribachi will forever print itself in the minds of the American people for generations to come!
Taking Chance
Taking Chance is based on the accounts of a Marine Officer escorting the body of Chance Phelps back home. Chance Phelps was killed during a complex ambush. He was holding down suppressive fire on the M240. His actions allowed the other Marines the breathing room necessary to assault through. His citation can be read today at the Phelps Chow-Hall in Twentynine Palms.
Full Metal Jacket
Full Metal Jacket is a cult classic amongst Marines and Marine enthusiasts. The Gunny, or R. Lee Ermey, played a phenomenal role in Full Metal Jacket. R. Lee Ermey epitomizes the Marine Corps Drill Instructor, in a way that no actor could. R. Lee Ermey was originally hired onto the movie set as a consultant! Yet, he persisted and was able to obtain the role as Drill Instructor.
Generation Kill
Generation Kill is another made for TV Movie. It is focused on 1st Recon‘s initial push in to Iraq. One very notable character in the film is not an actor. His name is Rudy Reyes. The Marine was so energetic, eccentric, and bat-shit crazy they couldn’t possibly find an actor. So Rudy played Rudy in Generation Kill.
Jarhead
The movie Jarhead focuses on Anthony Swoffard’s account in the Gulf War. His story goes from basic training until his deployment as a Scout Sniper in a STA (Surveillance and Target Acquisition) Platoon. Anthony Swoffard’s account hits on many aspects of the Marine Corps that aren’t portrayed anywhere else. One of desperation and boredom on deployment.
Severe Clear
Severe Clear is a movie about Marines with no actors. This movie is a documentary filmed by Marine Corps 1st Lieutenant Mike Scotti. The documentary takes you through the first few months of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Wind Talkers
Wind Talkers is a movie about the Marine Navajo Code-Talkers. The Navajo language was very isolated at the time. Also very unique in that the Japanese were never able to crack the code or language.
Heartbreak Ridge
Heartbreak Ridge is the story of tough as grits, old-school Marine. The character played by Clint Eastwood is Gunny Highway. You can look at Gunny Highway’s stack, his stripes, and his hash-marks that he does not like to play games. He is the kind of Marine that would eat concertina wire, piss napalm, and put a round through a flea’s ass at 200 meters! Yuuttt!?
Major Payne
Major Payne is a Marine character that has a more of a family oriented light-hearted approach. Played by Damon Williams, Major Payne is tasked to turn a group of troubled kids around.
This article did not entail every Marine movie out. Just the more recent and popular ones. If there is a recent movie that you would like added to the list, we encourage you to comment on the article. There is definitely room to make a “Top 20” Our team at Devil Dog Shirts strives to perpetuate the Warrior Ethos of United States Marines worldwide, past and present! God Speed and Semper Fidelis Warfighters!
The Boys in Company C should be listed in the top 10 movies about Marines. Gunny Ermey also was in it.
I am going to do a blog for old school movies. The reason they weren’t added is because the old war-movies are a class unto themselves. We appreciate your input though killer! Semper Fi!
Sgt Wyble USMC (Ret)
hq@devildogshirts.com
You can’t have Full Metal Jacket w/o The Siege of Firebase Gloria. One with out the other is like eating a steak 8″ thick and not picking your teeth with a guidon stick.
Epic Cadence! Always motivated me on death-runs! Haha! 😀
Sgt Wyble USMC (Ret)
hq@devildogshirts.com