Les marines

I first saw this documentary on Swedish television in early 1971.At that time I didn't even know what the Marine Corps was.Little did I know that ten years later I would be a U.S.Marine!This documentary intrigued considerably.Since then my interest in the USMC grew.Over the past 35 years I've searched for a copy of it.However,it is not,never has been,available for sale or rent anywhere.However,through a streak of luck,hard work and plenty of cash I managed to secure a VHS copy of it in excellent condition!It is supposed to show the horrors that recruits are subjected to while in recruit training.It came about as a direct result of the Ribbon Creek disaster the previous year.In my opinion there are no "horrors" to be seen at any time.It is,however,an interesting time-piece,not to mention that it is the most sought after Marine Corps documentary ever.Nice to watch once in awhile.

"François Reichenbach follows a group of young men from the day they enlist in the US Marine Corps, all the way through basic training. Filmed around the time of the Ribbon Creek incident, which saw the drowning death of six Parris Island recruits on a night-time forced march, this original version of the film was suppressed by the US military, which demanded changes to Reichenbach's anti-militarist commentary." (From OVID)

Admirable intentions. Anti-War film, although it tries to mute its propaganda. Wish it had documented the actual drowning of the recruits, "The Ribbon Creek Incident". That would have been something!