We, the Marines (2017) User Reviews

Why the low score.... maybe because...

[sturmstorm · 5/10 · 25 July 2018]

I'm a fan of the military and enjoy a good movie be it fictional or not... historical documentaries and anything related to battles, wars or people fascinate me! Saying all that I found this documentary short hard to watch.... nothing wrong with the filming or amazing images!!! Gene doing his thing is just right for this... but! It really feels like a recruitment movie... and it really glosses over the hardship horrors and realities of what these boys and girls will put themselves through!! And With à script that just didn't sit right and felt propaganda/ish I found it hard to watch after 15min... that's just my two cents though! God bless all the service men and women the world over! Peace x

A fine tool in the Marine Corps recruiting tool box

[bmfortier · 6/10 · 30 August 2018]

First, read the headline: this is a recruiting tool, for sure. This piece really seems like something the recruiters would play for the local High School auditorium full of kids and leave 20 minutes for questions. Or something they would show parents to give them an idea what their son or daughter might be going through in their next four years of their Marine Corps career.

As a documentary piece, this is a very fine program. The shots are fantastic, with a mix of traditional documentary style shots and drone footage. Kudos to the cinematographers and editors because they seem to have carried the majority of the weight in this program. It also makes me wonder if they used the Marine Corps combat camera units in their video team. I wouldn't be surprised if they did.

Gene Hackman is enthusiastic and seems very connected to the script. He delivers a very strong narration, and is heard laughing at times, as if he's remembering his own journey through Marine Corps recruit training.

A few things bugged me:

Very, VERY obvious ADR (dialogue replacement), as noted in another review.

Subtitle issues. A "Nine Line" is a call for fire / evacuation - I don't know what an "eye line" is. Also, anyone that has ever been in the Corps knows it is sacrilegious to call even a recruit a "soldier" (one of the obvious ADR mistakes - they must have taken the clip from an Army boot camp program).

There are also random voice overs from... people. Are they Marines? Are they defense contractors? Why wouldn't you identify them as to build context? These clips are used very sporadically throughout the film, and seemed to be filling in gaps where Hackman's narration left off.

Overall, this is a nice recruiting tool with a visual style that will really attract a younger audience. Old time Marines like myself can watch for some nostalgia. Anyone who is into historical documentaries will be disappointed.

Advertisement disguised as documentary

[klaas-wijnsma · 5/10 · 10 June 2019]

Let me state that I hugely respect the fighting forces of the US of A. Because of my interest in all regarding (historical) warfare I couldn't wait to see a documentary in Ultra HD 4K..although it is impressive to see I never felt I was getting more knowledge about the semper fi department. A nicely shot promotional video of the US Marines but nothing more. A disappointment if you are looking for inside information or a broader perspective of the history and current tasks of this versatile fighting force.

No!

[oma313 · 1/10 · 28 July 2018]

I'm a former Marine and film maker. This was cheaply done and it makes sense that people would say this is a recruitment doc. The shots were great. The "recruits" were not conveying the pain and struggles of boot camp. It seemed like they were actors. what pissed me off the most was that they were using sound files in the background that did not match the clip , and in one of those sound files I looked up the close caption and the drill instructor said "what are you doing soldier?" if you were in the Marines you know damn well we don't call each other soldier, which I assumed meant they used a sound file from a totally different project. Army; soldier , marines; Marines . Among other things Gene Hackman was talking about certain types of training in Boot Camp, while showing a video clip of the silent drill team training. We do not train for the silent drill team in Boot Camp. I turned it off not even halfway through

Succinct in Sixteen

[unclesamsavage · 6/10 · 10 May 2022]

Propaganda-level promotion of the Marine Corps that is both exhilarating and without any conflict. Phenomenal visuals.

Screenplay...................................... 5 / 10 Visuals................................................ 10 Sound................................................... 7 Editing................................................ 6 Music....................................................... 5 Timeless Utility................................. 5 Total.................................................... 38 / 60 ~= 6.3 (rounded to 6) Verdict................................................. Enjoyable, especially for vets and military enthusiasts.

Propaganda with okay shots

[gret-hun · 2/10 · 26 July 2018]

A blatant, biased praise of the Marine Corps, a glorious 37min advertisement to one of the most effective fighting forces on earth (the rangers probably would have a word or two), with the cheesiest cliché song covers as an accompanying music to mortars and engines. Gene Hackman as the narrator does not help to get rid of the awkward cringe that the constant blind praise to the marines is causing sadly.

Wonder why did they leave out the post-service life and PTSD. Somehow the advertisement ends with flowers, crying people and a choir. Should've included some facts of the other side too. But hey, it's 'murica, who needs those, right?

Two stars just for the shots

[nico-donoso · 2/10 · 12 December 2019]

I've been reading the reviews talking about this film being a cheap recruitment video. IT IS.

Gene Hackman is great, but in this movie he sounds more like a fanatic...

What about the music? Was theaf the guy who chose it

Waste of time

a Joke

[rolfhu · 2/10 · 30 December 2020]

The Marines were created with good intension probably. But today used by the government for mostly illegal wars. This move is just for propaganda, nothing else.

I am a Marine

[fergusonr-09127 · 8/10 · 4 August 2018]

I served in the Marine Corps from 1969 to 1973. Yes, this documentary leaves out a lot, but hey, Top Gun was basically a recruiting movie for the Navy too folks. We did pushups on our knuckles on the grinder. We were choked and punched. We were screamed at, "motivated", showed how to save lives, and taught to be Marines. Did I like it? No, duh! I was also in the Navy for 4yrs and the National Guard for 2yrs. Now, at age 67, I can honestly say that I benefited greatly from my time in the Corps, and the leadership skills, the ability to encourage others, to think fast when the going gets a little rough, all have been of great use since I got out in 1973. I was, and will always be, a U.S. Marine.

We, the Murderers

[shanayneigh · 1/10 · 27 August 2019]

Pure propagandist garbage conveniently "forgetting" the massacres carried out by the oh-so valiant Marines. Leni Riefenstahl couldn't have been happier with this "documentary".

we,the murderers.

[spyroschas · 1/10 · 16 February 2019]

Even a propaganda like this,should be properly shot.

Great Documentary About The Biggest Warmongers of Modern Times

[dickybran · 3/10 · 21 November 2020]

America has invaded or played some part in overthrowing governments all over the world. Everyone thinks the Russians are bad, the Yanks are the evil of this world. I've lost a lot respect for Gene Hackman. America had 9/11 coming to them. I feel sorry for the innocent victims, it should have been the recent presidents and their war advisors. America wants to rule the world, but they need to look at governing their own country properly first.

Pff

[murmaider · 1/10 · 28 December 2020]

Just another American propaganda doc. "Defending" America 10.000km from home. Slaughtering whoever they want, for whatever reasons they need. Transporting opium and heroin all over the world, stealing gold and resources. That's what American military is for.

Good short!

[brett-76260 · 9/10 · 19 July 2018]

As a Marine I really appreciated the quality of this short film. Good attention to detail and gives civilians an idea on life in the Corps. Worth watching for sure

Makes a proud Marine happy

[thestevew · 8/10 · 31 December 2018]

I served '74 to '77. This isn't a history of the Marine Corps. It's a tribute to the Corps and those who have served. Just like a heroes statue it celebrates the good and honorable in what it portrays. For those looking for the darker parts of this or any other story there are innumerable sources elsewhere. I'm proud of the Corps and my service and this movie is something I can point others to that helps explain why. Semper Fi!

A special watch

[kimberly-inspired · 10/10 · 9 June 2018]

My daughter has enlisted in the Marines and I'm so proud and seeing this film really brought it home. Emotional. Action packed. Informative. Loved it. The theater was pretty full as well. Lots of sniffles.

It's a recruiting tool but not a bad one.

[slothman-36269 · 9/10 · 25 July 2019]

The film is really good and of course it's a recruiting tool and I will this to anyone who wants to join up. It's also a feel good movie, check it out and if you like it then stop by the recruiting office, the movie is convincing.