We, the Marines

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.

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?

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

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.

This documentary is a gripping and inspiring tribute to the brave men and women who serve in the United States Marine Corps. It offers a candid and intimate look at the Marine Corps experience, from the grueling trainings to the intense combat deployments. With unprecedented access and unflinching honesty, it reveals the sacrifices, struggles, and triumphs of those who wear the eagle, globe, and anchor (EGA).

Boot camp, the crucible, and the combat training - the trifecta of challenges that makes the United States Marines - the vanguard of defense, the swift and deadly strike force. The training is so brutal that only the toughest can survive it, which is why less than 1% of Americans become Marines!! Marines are the first responders, the 911 for any country in crisis, ready to deploy at a moment's notice.

Their elite status is earned through sacrifice, discipline, and an unyielding dedication to the Corps and country. As Gene Hackman, a former Marine himself, narrates, "The Marine Corps is not just a branch of the military, it's a brotherhood of warriors, forged in the fire of combat and tempered by the steel of sacrifice".

As a parent of a marine, I have witnessed firsthand the Marine Corps' transformative power, and I am grateful for the values of honor, courage, and commitment that it has instilled in my child. Semper Fidelis is more than a motto - it's a way of life that defines tge unbreakable spirit of the Corps. "Once a Marine, always a marine."

While the documentary provides a compelling glimpse into the Marine Corps, it merely skims the surface of the rich and complex experiences of these brave warriors. I assure you that the full story is even more remarkable than this inspiring film could fully capture. Watch We, the Marines to gain a deeper appreciation for the heroes who serve!