In 1967, five young men undergo boot camp training before being shipped out to Vietnam. Once they get there, the experience proves worse than they could have imagined.In 1967, five young men undergo boot camp training before being shipped out to Vietnam. Once they get there, the experience proves worse than they could have imagined.In 1967, five young men undergo boot camp training before being shipped out to Vietnam. Once they get there, the experience proves worse than they could have imagined.
- Awards
- 1 nomination
- Sgt. Loyce
- (as Lee Ermey)
- Nancy Bisbee
- (as Peggy O'Neal)
- Spoon
- (as Cisco Oliver)
- Junior D.I
- (as Don Bell)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaR. Lee Ermey was completely unaware that Stan Shaw had a switchblade in his shirt pocket in the recruit receiving area. When Shaw pulls the knife out what you see is Ermey's actual reaction.
- GoofsThroughout the movie 105 MM Howitzers are used for fire support artillery. They are obviously are firing blanks as the barrel does not recoil when fired.
- Quotes
SSgt. Aquilla: [the Boys have just arrived for Boot Camp] Hey goddamnit! You with the fuckin pretty face! What the hell are you spitting on the ground for, what is that shit in your mouth?
Pvt. Billy Ray Pike: Chewing tobacco sir.
SSgt. Aquilla: Its what?
Pvt. Billy Ray Pike: Chewing tobacco sir!
SSgt. Aquilla: What the hell are you doing with chewing tobacco in your mouth?
Pvt. Billy Ray Pike: I don't know sir, I chew when I play baseball.
SSgt. Aquilla: Do you think this looks like a baseball stadium?
Pvt. Billy Ray Pike: No Sir it doesn't.
SSgt. Aquilla: Then what the hell are you chewing tobacco for? Did you get on the wrong fucking train, or did they draft you!
Pvt. Billy Ray Pike: No sir, I enlisted Sir!
SSgt. Aquilla: You did what?
Pvt. Billy Ray Pike: I enlisted in the Marines Sir!
SSgt. Aquilla: What the hell would you do a crazy thing like that for?
Pvt. Billy Ray Pike: [pause]
SSgt. Aquilla: Answer me goddamn it!
Pvt. Billy Ray Pike: I wanna be a Marine sir!
SSgt. Aquilla: What the hell for?
Pvt. Billy Ray Pike: So I can fight for my country sir.
SSgt. Aquilla: Fuckin turd! Right now I can't stand to look at you! Sergeant get this shit out of my fucking face!
- Alternate versionsGerman version was edited in a couple of areas to get a "not under 16" rating. Only in 2013 was the uncut version released on DVD and Blu-ray in Germany with the same "not under 16" rating.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Hollywood Vietnam (2005)
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.
- tomsview
- Apr 22, 2017
- How long is The Boys in Company C?Powered by Alexa