This is one of my favorite movies. The film has a good storyline. Actor, Stan Shaw did an excellent job in his role as Tyrone Washington. He went on to perform another great acting job in "The Great Santini". The boot camp scenes where spot on authentic with the Drill Instructors. Reminded me of my bootcamp when I entered the Air Force. R Lee Emery does a great job in his first movie but my favorite drill instructor in the film is the Puerto Rican Gunney that rips the new recruits a new one. Amazingly, a lot of people don't know about this film. In my view, it's one of the most entertaining military/Viet Nam movies that have ever been made. Great movie!
64 Reviews
Worth seeing
jddreyer20 May 2002
An interesting war film that is mostly overlooked by Full Metal Jacket fans. Stan Shaw gives a good performance that when I which makes me wonder we he hasn't had a bigger career.
This movie shares the soccer connection with the Caine/Stallone movie "Victory" (1981/I). I actually think the soccer scenes were better done in Company C.
Nonetheless this movie is an interesting choice which any war movie buff should not miss...
This movie shares the soccer connection with the Caine/Stallone movie "Victory" (1981/I). I actually think the soccer scenes were better done in Company C.
Nonetheless this movie is an interesting choice which any war movie buff should not miss...
Wish you were there?
tomsview22 April 2017
Some time ago, I read a review of Vietnam War movies by a journalist who had served as an infantryman in Vietnam. He had a simple criterion by which to judge the authenticity of the films, "If you weren't there, did it make you glad you weren't?"
He found that many Vietnam War movies actually made the experience seem exciting. "Apocalypse Now", "The Deerhunter" and "Full Metal Jacket" failed his test; "Platoon" was the one he felt caught the feeling best.
Sidney J. Furie's "The Boys in Company C" seems to fall somewhere else.
The story follows a group of marines from boot camp to combat in Vietnam, although it is often compared to "Full Metal Jacket", it also reminds me of "M*A*S*H" and "Catch 22". Although "Boys" has a realistic enough look, the irony knob is turned up so high that it almost becomes satire.
It was made at a time when just about any bizarre thing about the war in Vietnam would be believed. Mel Gibson's "We were Soldiers", a straightforward film about a real battle with few side-trips into the surreal, wasn't made until 2002.
The interesting thing about comparing "The Boys in Company C", with "Full Metal Jacket" is in the cinematic technique; Furie against Kubrick. "Full Metal Jacket" had to be masterclass for Sidney. Kubrick's film has a beautifully choreographed rhythm and flow compared to "Boys", which seemed to cram in as much chaos as it could.
"The Boys in Company C", released in 1978, was not the inspiration for Kubrick's 1987 film. "Full Metal Jacket" was based on "The Short-Timers", Gustav Hasford's 1979 novel based on his experience in the marines - the film follows the book fairly closely.
Even though Kubrick shot "Jacket" in England and didn't have a real paddy field to play in, his style makes Furie's film seem a more pedestrian effort. The difference in R. Lee Ermey's performances between the two films pretty much says it all.
I find "The Boys in Company C" interesting but frustrating. However as a social document, it's a film that represents the disillusionment and mistrust of institutions that followed the end of a war that is still disturbing.
He found that many Vietnam War movies actually made the experience seem exciting. "Apocalypse Now", "The Deerhunter" and "Full Metal Jacket" failed his test; "Platoon" was the one he felt caught the feeling best.
Sidney J. Furie's "The Boys in Company C" seems to fall somewhere else.
The story follows a group of marines from boot camp to combat in Vietnam, although it is often compared to "Full Metal Jacket", it also reminds me of "M*A*S*H" and "Catch 22". Although "Boys" has a realistic enough look, the irony knob is turned up so high that it almost becomes satire.
It was made at a time when just about any bizarre thing about the war in Vietnam would be believed. Mel Gibson's "We were Soldiers", a straightforward film about a real battle with few side-trips into the surreal, wasn't made until 2002.
The interesting thing about comparing "The Boys in Company C", with "Full Metal Jacket" is in the cinematic technique; Furie against Kubrick. "Full Metal Jacket" had to be masterclass for Sidney. Kubrick's film has a beautifully choreographed rhythm and flow compared to "Boys", which seemed to cram in as much chaos as it could.
"The Boys in Company C", released in 1978, was not the inspiration for Kubrick's 1987 film. "Full Metal Jacket" was based on "The Short-Timers", Gustav Hasford's 1979 novel based on his experience in the marines - the film follows the book fairly closely.
Even though Kubrick shot "Jacket" in England and didn't have a real paddy field to play in, his style makes Furie's film seem a more pedestrian effort. The difference in R. Lee Ermey's performances between the two films pretty much says it all.
I find "The Boys in Company C" interesting but frustrating. However as a social document, it's a film that represents the disillusionment and mistrust of institutions that followed the end of a war that is still disturbing.
Actors comment
starjohn78 April 2004
As one of the actors in Boys in Company C , I can say the reality of war was not completely there. However, It did touch on some realistic moments.. Truly Full Metal Jacket was more the real thing, especially Boot camp..I went through Parris Island in 1966 and it was even more brutal I think..Example... When Pyle was eating the jelly donut and all the others were paying for it. In the boot camp I went through, every time anyone screwed up , we all paid for it. R Lee Ermey a long ago friend was the real thing.. Bye the way , Pyle would never have had that full metal jacket because all the brass was collected after the firing line to make sure no one would shoot the DI.. LOL Stan Johns ,Boys in Company C.....
A better script, cadre and action would boost this film
SimonJack28 September 2017
Warning: Spoilers
It's too bad the makers of "The Boys in Company C" had to exaggerate in places, and gave short shrift in others. The guys in this film were all enlistees in the Marines. Some of them would have known what to expect. Even though this was the time of the flower children, hippies and long hair, that was a small portion of the population. One wouldn't think that most guys of that stripe would have chosen to enlist in the Marines. The Selective Service draft for Vietnam service began on Dec. 1, 1969. Many enlistees had an idea of what to expect, and those like my brother who joined the Marines in 1961 would report with short hair. Of course, they would still get a shave cut. Which isn't what these guys get in this film – they've got considerable hair left on top. The same was true for those of us who joined the Army in those years. Most of the two dozen guys I went to boot camp with on a train had short hair. I think the filmmakers here just continued with a stereotype Hollywood generated some time in the past to show young men distraught at losing their handsome hairdos or beautiful locks.
But, not to split hairs. (I hope that gets a smile, or even a grunt.) This film shows very minimal training. Apparently the whole film was shot in the Philippines, but it mostly misses the intensity of the rigorous training. The focus is mostly on the training cadre. With the exception of the drill instructor, the cadre seems mostly exaggerated and unreal. The platoon sergeant is close, as a short exception with a little bit of a gut. But most cadre are bigger men. Look at the skinny, short corporals who dress the recruits down in formation. The supply and other personnel all seem quite small for gyrenes. And, the platoon sergeant is overboard exaggerated with his foul mouth. He couldn't complete a sentence without one or two curses and half a dozen expletives. Yes, the Marine Corps cadre cuss and swear, as do the Army boot camp cadre. But nothing on the level this film shows.
The last big exaggeration is in the mouthing off by the gyrenes to higher authority, especially officers. We know Vietnam was different in many ways form anything the U.S. had experienced before – to say nothing about the cultural changes at home. But the level of lipping off, and insubordination by several of the guys in Company C at different times is huge exaggeration.
Now, three things the movie shows that are not exaggerated are important. The first was the push by higher ups for body counts. By 1970, government officials, the media and some military leaders began to question the high body counts that the Americans were reporting of enemy killed. The second important aspect of the film is the incompetency of some officers. This was a sufficiently large enough number as to be a serious problem within the Armed Forces. Captain Collins clearly is an incompetent company commander. He gets his men lost frequently. The ability to read maps is critical for line officers.
We had such a platoon leader assigned to my airborne unit in Germany during the Cold War – just before Vietnam. He had received a promotion to first Lt. right out of ROTC, We were holding a combined training exercise and border guard duty in West Germany at the time – on the Czech border. He got lost and almost had a squad cross a minefield on the Czech border. Fortunately, we had a seasoned platoon sergeant (with Korean experience) who straightened things out. That lieutenant later became a company commander.
Another brother served as a paratrooper in Vietnam, around the time that this movie takes place. He was an MP and told me how widespread drug use had become. And, that there were some instances of fragging. It wasn't widespread, but it happened. A soldier, usually on drugs, who strongly disliked a platoon leader, would toss a grenade in his tent at night.
The Vietnam War was an ugly piece of American history. It was American's first involvement in a conflict that did not pose a direct threat to our nation. We hadn't learned from the French who had been in and withdrawn from Vietnam. Nor did we have the savvy of England and other countries from their colonial experiences. Hopefully, we have learned from these experiences. As horrible as war is, it doesn't appear that we will be able to achieve true peace so long as largescale organized terrorism continues, and some countries and ethnic groups are bent on genocide.
Without the exaggerations noted, and with some better writing and training and action scenes, this could have been a very good film. As is, it's a fair glimpse at the travesty of the Vietnam War.
But, not to split hairs. (I hope that gets a smile, or even a grunt.) This film shows very minimal training. Apparently the whole film was shot in the Philippines, but it mostly misses the intensity of the rigorous training. The focus is mostly on the training cadre. With the exception of the drill instructor, the cadre seems mostly exaggerated and unreal. The platoon sergeant is close, as a short exception with a little bit of a gut. But most cadre are bigger men. Look at the skinny, short corporals who dress the recruits down in formation. The supply and other personnel all seem quite small for gyrenes. And, the platoon sergeant is overboard exaggerated with his foul mouth. He couldn't complete a sentence without one or two curses and half a dozen expletives. Yes, the Marine Corps cadre cuss and swear, as do the Army boot camp cadre. But nothing on the level this film shows.
The last big exaggeration is in the mouthing off by the gyrenes to higher authority, especially officers. We know Vietnam was different in many ways form anything the U.S. had experienced before – to say nothing about the cultural changes at home. But the level of lipping off, and insubordination by several of the guys in Company C at different times is huge exaggeration.
Now, three things the movie shows that are not exaggerated are important. The first was the push by higher ups for body counts. By 1970, government officials, the media and some military leaders began to question the high body counts that the Americans were reporting of enemy killed. The second important aspect of the film is the incompetency of some officers. This was a sufficiently large enough number as to be a serious problem within the Armed Forces. Captain Collins clearly is an incompetent company commander. He gets his men lost frequently. The ability to read maps is critical for line officers.
We had such a platoon leader assigned to my airborne unit in Germany during the Cold War – just before Vietnam. He had received a promotion to first Lt. right out of ROTC, We were holding a combined training exercise and border guard duty in West Germany at the time – on the Czech border. He got lost and almost had a squad cross a minefield on the Czech border. Fortunately, we had a seasoned platoon sergeant (with Korean experience) who straightened things out. That lieutenant later became a company commander.
Another brother served as a paratrooper in Vietnam, around the time that this movie takes place. He was an MP and told me how widespread drug use had become. And, that there were some instances of fragging. It wasn't widespread, but it happened. A soldier, usually on drugs, who strongly disliked a platoon leader, would toss a grenade in his tent at night.
The Vietnam War was an ugly piece of American history. It was American's first involvement in a conflict that did not pose a direct threat to our nation. We hadn't learned from the French who had been in and withdrawn from Vietnam. Nor did we have the savvy of England and other countries from their colonial experiences. Hopefully, we have learned from these experiences. As horrible as war is, it doesn't appear that we will be able to achieve true peace so long as largescale organized terrorism continues, and some countries and ethnic groups are bent on genocide.
Without the exaggerations noted, and with some better writing and training and action scenes, this could have been a very good film. As is, it's a fair glimpse at the travesty of the Vietnam War.
A movie on a collision course with itself .............
merklekranz23 November 2010
"The Boys in Company C" is like two movies in one. The first part is a structured boot camp, run by Drill Seargent R. Lee Ermey. It's all about preparing a nice assortment of somewhat stereotyped raw recruits for battle in Vietnam. The second part of the film is a tale of almost total chaos, with special emphasis on inept officers. Body bag counts seem to somehow have value, and that specter follows the privates throughout the remainder of the film. The acting is good, the action sparse, and we are certainly presented a unique, though unsatisfying view of the War. For what it is, "The Boys in Company C" is entertaining, but an uneasiness prevails throughout, as this seems to be a movie on a collision course with itself. - MERK
An uneven Vietnam War Movie, but with some Shining Moments
peter_nilsson8813 January 2020
The Boys in Company C is a very uneven movie, which makes for a mixed experience. R. Lee Ermey does his iconic drill instructor role 9 years before Full Metal Jacket which in itself makes this movie a must watch!
Stan Shaw is perfect for the Lead Role as Tyrone (and as a side note: My God can the man sing!) and the other main characters are good for their roles.
Sadly the script is underwhelming and a bit unbelievable at times with countless insubordinations and dangerous acts which would make for court martial 10 times over for each of the main characters. The acting is not good for the emotional scenes and although the setting and scenery is well done, other aspects like explosions and fighting falls very short. The story never really evolves and comparing to later Vietnam war movies it's not anywhere close.
Still, there are some shining moments: The beginning is good, boot camp is great and R. Lee Ermey is awesome, the initial scenes in Vietnam are good and Stan Shaw is almost too good for this movie, but again, the movie sadly never lifts.
Yes, the body count insanity is shown in a good way which I like, but this drowns on the otherwise inconsistent script.
I'm impressed with a movie like this coming out just 5 years after USA left Vietnam, and that they casted an African American as the Main Lead, and I'm sure it was a good movie at the time it came out.
Watch it if you're a fan of Vietnam War movies, but don't expect another Full Metal Jacket or Platoon.
Stan Shaw is perfect for the Lead Role as Tyrone (and as a side note: My God can the man sing!) and the other main characters are good for their roles.
Sadly the script is underwhelming and a bit unbelievable at times with countless insubordinations and dangerous acts which would make for court martial 10 times over for each of the main characters. The acting is not good for the emotional scenes and although the setting and scenery is well done, other aspects like explosions and fighting falls very short. The story never really evolves and comparing to later Vietnam war movies it's not anywhere close.
Still, there are some shining moments: The beginning is good, boot camp is great and R. Lee Ermey is awesome, the initial scenes in Vietnam are good and Stan Shaw is almost too good for this movie, but again, the movie sadly never lifts.
Yes, the body count insanity is shown in a good way which I like, but this drowns on the otherwise inconsistent script.
I'm impressed with a movie like this coming out just 5 years after USA left Vietnam, and that they casted an African American as the Main Lead, and I'm sure it was a good movie at the time it came out.
Watch it if you're a fan of Vietnam War movies, but don't expect another Full Metal Jacket or Platoon.
I was an 8 year veteran and had been in a scuffle or two.
droberts15 February 2002
Having been in the military, this was one of the most true to life movies of military boot camp and life in Vietnam. Mr. Ermey, although I had never known him personally, portrayed the D.I. splendidly and must have been an outstanding D.I. in real life for the Marines.
A hard-hitting and interesting war drama about five naive young men involved in the Vietnam
ma-cortes14 May 2022
The picture opens In 1967 with the arrival of various draftees in the Marine Corps instruction center. There five young men undergo boot camp training before being shipped out to Vietnam. They quickly develope an agreeable friendship as well as a hellish nightmare and the young men attempt to find a possible way out of the war. Once they get there, the experience proves worse than they could have imagined. To keep their sanity in an insane war, they had to be crazy. You may want to forget the war. But you'll never forget... The Boys in Company C.
A decent Wartime movie with impressive scenes and comes close , at times , to be the powerful subject of the Vietnam war suggests . The picture shot in Luzon, Manila, Philippines contains spectacular combat scenes that are highly effective and the deaths of soldiers are gory without being overdone . Focuses on various issuses such as demoralization of the Marines being appalled by the corruption of their South Vietnamese ally , the stupidity of military brass and soldiers eventually endangered by the incompetence of their own company commander resulting they're disheartened by futile battles . The film is rated R for its violence , profanity , gore and blood . Here stands out Stan Shaw as the brave soldier who whips a group of green Marine recruits into shape for Vietnam. Stars some newcomer actors as vaiiant soldiers who will need to work together to survive in combat , and some of them to be continued notable cinematic careers , such as : Stan Shaw , Andrew Stevens , James Canning , Michael Lembeck , Craig Wasson , Scott Hylands , James Whitmore Jr. And other illustrous veterans as Noble Willingham , Vic Diaz , and R. Lee Ermey.
This frank and provoking motion picture was professionally directed by Sidney J. Furie , a veteran and prolific director , still today making films . British Furie has directed all kind of genres , though mostly action . In 1999, Sidney J. Furie's espionage thriller "The Ipcress File" (1965) was included at number 59 on the BFI's list of the 100 greatest British films of the 20th century. Stanley Kubrick was a big fan of this "The Boys in Company C" (1978) and cited Sidney J. Furie's war movie as the direct inspiration for "Full Metal Jacket" (1987) that's why Kubrick hired R Lee Ermey as Drill Instructor again in a similar role . In 2009, director Martin Scorsese placed Sidney J. Furie's "The Entity" (1982) on his list of the 11 Scariest Horror Films of All Time. He also directed "Superman IV: quest of peace" (1987) , originally had a budget of $36 million dollars , just before filming was to begin, Cannon Pictures, which was starting to suffer financial problems, slashed the budget and was a flop . ¨The Boys in Company C (1978)¨ resulted to be an acceptable Warlike movie that had success enough at the box office . Rating : 6.5/10 , notable . The picture will appeal to Warfare buffs .
A decent Wartime movie with impressive scenes and comes close , at times , to be the powerful subject of the Vietnam war suggests . The picture shot in Luzon, Manila, Philippines contains spectacular combat scenes that are highly effective and the deaths of soldiers are gory without being overdone . Focuses on various issuses such as demoralization of the Marines being appalled by the corruption of their South Vietnamese ally , the stupidity of military brass and soldiers eventually endangered by the incompetence of their own company commander resulting they're disheartened by futile battles . The film is rated R for its violence , profanity , gore and blood . Here stands out Stan Shaw as the brave soldier who whips a group of green Marine recruits into shape for Vietnam. Stars some newcomer actors as vaiiant soldiers who will need to work together to survive in combat , and some of them to be continued notable cinematic careers , such as : Stan Shaw , Andrew Stevens , James Canning , Michael Lembeck , Craig Wasson , Scott Hylands , James Whitmore Jr. And other illustrous veterans as Noble Willingham , Vic Diaz , and R. Lee Ermey.
This frank and provoking motion picture was professionally directed by Sidney J. Furie , a veteran and prolific director , still today making films . British Furie has directed all kind of genres , though mostly action . In 1999, Sidney J. Furie's espionage thriller "The Ipcress File" (1965) was included at number 59 on the BFI's list of the 100 greatest British films of the 20th century. Stanley Kubrick was a big fan of this "The Boys in Company C" (1978) and cited Sidney J. Furie's war movie as the direct inspiration for "Full Metal Jacket" (1987) that's why Kubrick hired R Lee Ermey as Drill Instructor again in a similar role . In 2009, director Martin Scorsese placed Sidney J. Furie's "The Entity" (1982) on his list of the 11 Scariest Horror Films of All Time. He also directed "Superman IV: quest of peace" (1987) , originally had a budget of $36 million dollars , just before filming was to begin, Cannon Pictures, which was starting to suffer financial problems, slashed the budget and was a flop . ¨The Boys in Company C (1978)¨ resulted to be an acceptable Warlike movie that had success enough at the box office . Rating : 6.5/10 , notable . The picture will appeal to Warfare buffs .
Golden Harvest presents...
Captain_Couth3 July 2004
The Boys in Company C (1978) was a movie that follows the recruits from Company C. Golden Harvest known for their Bruce Lee films and Jackie Chan productions made several films that were targeted for a world wide audience. One of them was this film. A very good film about the war in Viet-Nam that's is sadly over looked by other films such as Apocalypse Now, Platoon and Full Metal Jacket. Shot in the Phillipines and filled with many minor stars (with the exception of the great R. Lee Ermey) this one has an aura of realism (i.e the real Drill Instructors and boot camp scenes).
I liked this movie very much. Too bad it has never been restored to it's original wide screen aspect for maximum entertainment. If this were available on D.V.D. I would call this one a keeper.
Highly recommended.
I liked this movie very much. Too bad it has never been restored to it's original wide screen aspect for maximum entertainment. If this were available on D.V.D. I would call this one a keeper.
Highly recommended.
The Boys in Company C
allmoviesfan24 March 2023
An early entry in what became quite a wave of Vietnam War films in the following decade or so, some of which were okay, and some of which were stunningly (if disturbingly) brilliant. "The Boys in Company C" slots in closer to the former, missing any real stars to make a bigger impact.
The film is very formulaic, right down to the stereotypical wartime experiences. It starts with a group of enlistees from all over America turning up to USMC basic training near San Diego. There, they are put through the ringer by a few hard drill instructors (including R. Lee Ermey, a few years before his iconic and scary performance as Gunnery Sergeant Hartman in "Full Metal Jacket") before shipping off to Vietnam, where the film follows the company through various experiences, including serving under a commander who believes America would be doing better in the war if they understood the game of soccer better.
The film is very formulaic, right down to the stereotypical wartime experiences. It starts with a group of enlistees from all over America turning up to USMC basic training near San Diego. There, they are put through the ringer by a few hard drill instructors (including R. Lee Ermey, a few years before his iconic and scary performance as Gunnery Sergeant Hartman in "Full Metal Jacket") before shipping off to Vietnam, where the film follows the company through various experiences, including serving under a commander who believes America would be doing better in the war if they understood the game of soccer better.
The Best Vietnam-era War Movie
Emplehod29 September 1999
I think this movie never received the credit it deserved, mainly because it was poorly promoted. I was a motion picture projectionist when this film made its debut, and the theater posters depicted this movie as some kind of wacky McHale's Navy-turned-Army flick. Though it has some humorous parts, this movie is more serious. It follows a group of young men -- most who are drafted -- through an insane time in history. It depicts the war and the problems with drugs, sex, human relationships, fear, hatred, blackmail, government corruption and more. This movie really moved me. Forget Platoon!
R Lee Ermey!
grafspee216 August 2003
Warning: Spoilers
The ball busting marine drill sergeant of Full Metal Jacket plays a drill instructor in this insane war film of Vietnam. Surprise.
A rousing film not to be taken completely seriously as nothing should be, the soldiers are taught to think and play like the Viet Cong/Minh by learning soccer and other things supposedly native. This will pay off in the end and not like that Michael Caine/Sylvester Stallone movie where they play the Nazis in arm wrestling for the custody of his son, sorry that was Over the Top not Victory.
Funny, bitter and scathing account of incompetence when things matter most and has R Lee Ermey in it. What could be better?
A rousing film not to be taken completely seriously as nothing should be, the soldiers are taught to think and play like the Viet Cong/Minh by learning soccer and other things supposedly native. This will pay off in the end and not like that Michael Caine/Sylvester Stallone movie where they play the Nazis in arm wrestling for the custody of his son, sorry that was Over the Top not Victory.
Funny, bitter and scathing account of incompetence when things matter most and has R Lee Ermey in it. What could be better?
Awful disappointing film
robertdevenney8 February 2018
I really cannot understand how anyone could possibly think this is at all a decent film let alone a good one it is by far and wide one of the worst films I have ever seen on any subject manner including the Vietnam War.
The only semi believable character was played by Stan Shaw as Washington the rest including the gunnery Sgt played by R Lee Emery were an absolute joke with Emery being particularly poor almost as if he was deliberately acting being a bad actor with halting poorly delivered dialogue and not even a fraction of how good he would later be in Full Metal Jacket but the man was actually a drill instructor so why he wasn't better at it in this film is beyond me.
Whole film felt like a badly written comedy but lacked any actual comedy.... I am aware it was not meant to be a comedy I am just explaining how weirdly the film comes across.
In regards to how real the film felt.... nope not one bit with boot camp looking more like a Scout camp than USMC training.
Total nonsense that insulted my intelligence, eyes and ears.
The only semi believable character was played by Stan Shaw as Washington the rest including the gunnery Sgt played by R Lee Emery were an absolute joke with Emery being particularly poor almost as if he was deliberately acting being a bad actor with halting poorly delivered dialogue and not even a fraction of how good he would later be in Full Metal Jacket but the man was actually a drill instructor so why he wasn't better at it in this film is beyond me.
Whole film felt like a badly written comedy but lacked any actual comedy.... I am aware it was not meant to be a comedy I am just explaining how weirdly the film comes across.
In regards to how real the film felt.... nope not one bit with boot camp looking more like a Scout camp than USMC training.
Total nonsense that insulted my intelligence, eyes and ears.
An early R. Lee
dtucker8629 September 2003
This movie would be just a regular by the numbers movie about war, weather the Vietnam War or World War II. You have a bunch of stereotypical screw ups who get thrown into Marine boot camp during the Vietnam War. The film follows them thru boot camp to the hell of 'nam. These boys become men and it doesn't end happily for one of them. The scenes in boot camp are funny and also very realistic. This was the first film appearance of Lee Ermey as their drill instructor. His first words on screen are "I'm Sergeant Loyce I'm your drill instructor for the next two f@&%ing months maggots". He is really funny and theres a good scene where him and Stan Shaw have a blazing argument (although in real life you would be in the brig for talking to your DI like that). Thirty years ago drill instructors were allowed to be a lot rougher with privates then today and my favorite part is where this one DI grabs a daydreaming recruit by the....well watch it and see. Actually the DI Lee plays in this film is almost a nice guy compared to the one that he played in Full Metal Jacket. The scenes in Vietnam are handled as well, especially the ones showing the horrors of combat. They talk about the drug smuggling that went on and the film is unflinching in how it shows the machinations of the politicians who sent our men out into the field with one hand tied behind their backs. No one we suffered such a humiliating defeat. This film is gritty, vulgar and unsentimental but it is a true story we must not forget about a terrible war that ripped our country apart like the Cival War. Like I said though, Lee Ermey makes this film. I love him on Mail Call. I think my favorite part of the show is the one where he talked about the paratroopers at D-Day. Someone wrote him an e-mail and asked if it was true that they really said Geronimo when they jumped. Lee said that wasn't true at all and what they probably said was "OH S#$T!!!!!!!"
The Boys In Company C
condo9491 September 2008
Warning: Spoilers
I am so glad this is finally coming out in DVD tomorrow. I've been watching the VHS copy for years now.
As a Vietnam US Army combat vet I must say the movie is a bit of a spoof on combat. However, the basic training segment was somewhat accurate. The Hispanic DI reminded me of a drill sergeant I had. It was true that pounding the "team" concept into soldiers was paramount for survival in the field.
The mixture of personalities in the US military during the Vietnam war was also accurately portrayed.
There was a "far side" to the Vietnam war which many films demonstrate that can only be understood by those who fought there.
As a Vietnam US Army combat vet I must say the movie is a bit of a spoof on combat. However, the basic training segment was somewhat accurate. The Hispanic DI reminded me of a drill sergeant I had. It was true that pounding the "team" concept into soldiers was paramount for survival in the field.
The mixture of personalities in the US military during the Vietnam war was also accurately portrayed.
There was a "far side" to the Vietnam war which many films demonstrate that can only be understood by those who fought there.
War by Kafka, soccer as metaphor
bkoganbing20 January 2018
What can you say about a war that Franz Kafka might have arranged? It's said
in The Boys In Company C. The story is based on the journal of a GI played by
James Canning and his four buddies who went through basic training and served as Marines. The other four are Stan Shaw, Andrew Stevens, Craig Wasson, and Michael Lembeck. The five all come from completely different
backgrounds and those backgrounds play into how they come to feel as they
feel about our military intervention. Not so surprising eventually they all
arrive at the same conclusions.
Vietnam was a whole lot like how we dealt with China except that we weren't dumb enough to get into a land war there on behalf of Chiang Kai-shek. No we went in by increments and by 1967-68 when the action of this film takes place we had no clear military objective. Our allies whom we fought for were as corrupt a bunch as you could have. Stan Shaw from the Chicago ghetto thought he was street smart and cynical and thought he'd make some crooked drug money while there. The corruption played out with a scene with South Vietnamese general leaves him appalled.
There were sure enough real casualties among civilians in Vietnam. But I remember the obsession and reporting of body counts in the news back in the day. This was how we measured success and those on the ground gave them what they asked for. Scott Hylands has a great part as a captain who has really bought into the hype about that.
Hylands has another obsession, soccer. He sees a soccer game as a metaphor for war and pretty soon his men pretend to buy into it including our five protagonists. But we even have corruption there as the five soon discover.
All five meet different fates in the end and as the postscript explains. Not as well known as Casualties Of War or Platoon. Still The Boys In Company C can certainly lay claim to being THE Vietnam War film.
Vietnam was a whole lot like how we dealt with China except that we weren't dumb enough to get into a land war there on behalf of Chiang Kai-shek. No we went in by increments and by 1967-68 when the action of this film takes place we had no clear military objective. Our allies whom we fought for were as corrupt a bunch as you could have. Stan Shaw from the Chicago ghetto thought he was street smart and cynical and thought he'd make some crooked drug money while there. The corruption played out with a scene with South Vietnamese general leaves him appalled.
There were sure enough real casualties among civilians in Vietnam. But I remember the obsession and reporting of body counts in the news back in the day. This was how we measured success and those on the ground gave them what they asked for. Scott Hylands has a great part as a captain who has really bought into the hype about that.
Hylands has another obsession, soccer. He sees a soccer game as a metaphor for war and pretty soon his men pretend to buy into it including our five protagonists. But we even have corruption there as the five soon discover.
All five meet different fates in the end and as the postscript explains. Not as well known as Casualties Of War or Platoon. Still The Boys In Company C can certainly lay claim to being THE Vietnam War film.
Worth seeing
airborne6019 January 2014
Warning: Spoilers
A Vietnam movie made just a few years after the war ended has it't merit not the least because it captures the time spirit much more closely than anything made decades after. There are some goofs as in all "old" movies, for example the M-16 shots not sounding anywhere near the real. Modern movies have more realistic effects (explosion effects and bullets hitting) but the lack of perfection in this really does make this movie any less good.
The acting is good and in many was better than in Full Metal Jacket which clearly was inspired by The Boys.
For those being into Vietnamn war movies, this is worthwhile seeing as it was one of the very first, made close in time and was an inspiration to later movies.
It also touches topics which were exploited more heavily in later movies; incompetent officers just going for body count, corruption and drug abuse. It avoids deeper digging and only very lightly touches the relations to the ARVN or racial issues. There are no explanations at all why the time (shortly before the Tet offensive)is important and why going to Khe San at that time would be fatal. But knowing your Vietnamn war history, you will know.
The acting is good and in many was better than in Full Metal Jacket which clearly was inspired by The Boys.
For those being into Vietnamn war movies, this is worthwhile seeing as it was one of the very first, made close in time and was an inspiration to later movies.
It also touches topics which were exploited more heavily in later movies; incompetent officers just going for body count, corruption and drug abuse. It avoids deeper digging and only very lightly touches the relations to the ARVN or racial issues. There are no explanations at all why the time (shortly before the Tet offensive)is important and why going to Khe San at that time would be fatal. But knowing your Vietnamn war history, you will know.
My brief review of the film
sol-10 January 2006
Even though the low budget of this film shows through at times, it still manages to be a compelling and intense portrayal of the whole experience of being sent to Vietnam, right from boot camp up to fighting. It really feels like one is there is at times, and it is fascinating to watch the changes that characters undergo in the course of the film. The symbolic soccer themes and ideas do not always work, but they still retain some power. The camera-work and editing suits the project fine, and the film also has an excellent, haunting song, "Here I Am", to go with the material. It is quite similar in many ways to 'Full Metal Jacket', and even though the technical side and acting might be inferior here, this is still one hell of a fine movie depicting the experiences of being involved in war from a recruit's point of view.
Good Movie Overall, Kind of Confusing at Times
tristintheshyman11 June 2013
Warning: Spoilers
Overall, I thought that the movie was pretty good. The comedy in the beginning was original, witty and funny. After that things start to get serious, but not too much so after they land in Vietnam. The shooting scenes are great and realistic. The acting during these parts and throughout is actually pretty good. However, in the end, they lost me. It seems that the scene wasn't quite done right. There isn't any real tension in the first half, and the scene falls flat. During the second half, they announce another stipulation for no real reason, except it seems, to liven things up. Now we have a proper moral dilemma. Then, at the end of a game a battle starts; for no particular reason except they (Vietnam) lost. The sergeant is killed without reason and at random. A random private is killed without reason. There is a lot of random shooting. This scene does not mesh very well. It seems that the team is lacking discipline in this scene, as they cry about team members lost. This did not happen earlier in the movie. It seems as though they have turned into wimps in this scene. And to top it all off, the movie leaves us at a cliffhanger, with no real resolution.
One of the best war films ever.
Emplehod18 March 2003
I have seen comments that this movie doesn't show the Vietnam war the way it was. I strongly disagree -- I think this movie tells it like it was: A war of politics, greed, drug abuse, and general mayhem. My only gripe regarding this movie is the short sightedness of the company that owns the rights not to release it on DVD, and a special remastered DTS/Dolby Digital version at that.
Full Metal Jacket meets MASH
apbryant14 January 2022
Warning: Spoilers
This film is sort of a prequel to FULL METAL JACKET. In fact, the entire first part of the film is almost the same. Where this film differs, is in its humour and satire. It goes out of its way to expose the incompetence and corruption that always seems to accompany war. In this way, it is quite similar to MASH.
The film sells itself out a bit in the final act, in a rush to provide resolutions for the characters. All in all, it is a decent anti-war picture with a different slant than what we usually see in Vietnam films.
The film sells itself out a bit in the final act, in a rush to provide resolutions for the characters. All in all, it is a decent anti-war picture with a different slant than what we usually see in Vietnam films.
Follow a group of men from boot camp to the vicious realities of war
mlkofkim14 August 2000
Never had there been a film that captured so well the bonds of men in war. The relationships that develop seem completely natural and in no way forced by writing.
This movie accurately depicts the struggles that face all men in grave situations, with and without friends at their sides.
This movie accurately depicts the struggles that face all men in grave situations, with and without friends at their sides.
The absolutely worst Vietnam War film
wildcatt26818 January 2002
This is absolutely the worst, most distorted movie on Vietnam. The script had no relevance to reality in terms of training or Vietnam combat. I know--I was an Army infantryman in that war in 1967-68. This is an insult to my brother Marine infantrymen, and the producers, director and actors in this movie owe them an apology. Stan Shaw, as the "guy who will get the others home alive", but is primarily interested in shipping heroin home in the bodies of our honorable dead, is but one despicable character in this soap opera. There was obviously no military background among those that should have advised the scriptwriters and director. The drill instructor, Ermy, is actually a much decorated, multi-tour Vietnam Marine veteran and I am amazed he was even associated with this dismal affair. All the laudatory comments by other reviewers have to be based on either no combat experience of their own, and thus a dependence on the tripe that Hollywood continually hands out on this and most wars. You want even a taste of reality, see "Hamburger Hill" or "Saving Private Ryan".
Loved this movie
gazzo16 November 2002
I loved it, and guess having been a soldier, I got the humor of it. Everyone compares it to "Full Metal Jacket" but "Three Kings" reminded me more of it.
I have to have this one in my DVD collection. I was told that it was done and released as a very limited number.
I have to have this one in my DVD collection. I was told that it was done and released as a very limited number.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
