The Boys in Company C

Before The Deer Hunter, Apocalypes Now, Platoon and Full Metal Jacket, there was The Boys In Company C. Pretty much done on a B scale with a cast of unknowns, this is one of the first films to tackle the war we'd like to forget. It's not very artistic, it's not an epic of any kind, but it is very interesting and entertaining.The film focuses on five young men starting from Marine bootcamp to the jungles of Vietnam. We have Tyrone Washington (Stan Shaw), a streetwise kid from Chicago and defacto leader of the group, Alvin Foster (James Canning), an enlistee who wants to be a journalist, Vinnie Fazio (Michael Lembeck), a horny womanizer, Billy Ray Pike (Andrew Stevens), a gung-ho jock and Dave Bisbee (Craig Wasson), a pacifist hippie. All putting together some good characterizations. We see them going through the rigorous training of bootcamp headed up by their DI Sgt. Loyce (R. Lee Ermy in his film debut) then it's off to Vietnam for our boys.Basically what this film does is play very much like the film M*A*S*H. It's very straight-forward with rapid-fire dialog mixing black comedy with drama and even has a climatic sports event (soccer this time). We have bumbling incompetence from officers while death is all over the place and none of them seems to care except our boys on the front lines. Just as long as the body counts stack up to where they want them to be.Is the film a classic? Almost, it was done on a miniscule budget but still made a good profit. I saw this when it first came out in 1978 and found it very interesting. I was wondering when Hollywood was going to get around to touching on this subject. The acting performances are quite good and I think the real standout here is James Whitmore Jr. as the battle-wise Lt. Archer, who's job is to keep the boys alive and keep them from killing their incompetent C.O. Capt. Collins (Scott Hylands).As for the video quality on this Blu-ray, it's so-so. This film could certainly use a good clean up. Colors are washed out with quite a lot of grain. The audio is basic mono, but Dolby Stereo was not very common at this time. The only special feature is an audio commentary by actor Andrew Stevens which is pretty informative. He gives us tidbits of info like the entire production being done in the Philippines right around the time Francis Ford Coppola was getting started with his chaotic production of Apocalypes Now that continued to last another year after this film had wrapped up!All in all, if your video collection includes the previous said classics, throw this one in as well. Certainly not an artistic triumph, but very memorable.

True to boot camp.

I like 👍 the military humor.

This Sidney J. Furie directed story is finally here on DVD. An ensemble piece telling the tale of young marines going to Viet Nam. Look for an early glimpse of R. Lee Ermey as a D.I. in the boot camp scenes. He is great because he was a decorated marine and drill instructor. His acting here paved the way for Full Metal Jacket, and instant fame. The movie focuses on a street wise Chicago kid (Stan Shaw), a naive country guy (Andrew Stevens), and a long haired draft dodger (Craig Wasson). Other actors are thrown into the mix but I can't remember there names anymore. The film was out of print for so long. James Whitmore, Jr. is great as a platoon leader for them. He is a mustang officer and steers them through the jagged path of the Viet Nam war. Their company commander is a by the book, regulation type, which only spells trouble for the guys while learning about jungle combat. After losing guys in combat, and too many close calls, the captain sees a way out for his men-play sports and allow the ARVN to shine in soccer games. The young marines learn the game of soccer and get a break from the war. The dilema is they have to lose games or it's back to combat duty. With the release of The Boys in Company C, will Purple Hearts be close behind? This was another Sidney J. Furie Viet Nam war movie about a Navy surgeon who falls in love with a nurse.

An excellent well directed and scripted film about 5 boys drafted, or enlisted, in the Marines in 1966. Following their, at times harrowing, basic training, these ,innocent, boys are finally changed into killing machines. Based on the exploits of the Company of the same name, the film accurately and authentically displays the groups exploits, and disallusionment of USA policies and tactics; culminating in most of the group's deaths.This film made with Hong Kong backing is, I believe, The most authentic depiction of America's interference in another country's domestic decision making. America's paranoia over the fear of communist worldwide spread was presaged by President Wilson in 1919. No serious USA political discussion has found traction in a country that has, almost unquestionably amongst the masses, blindly swallowed the faulty dogma. Hence it has been the American nation that has earned the world's opprobrium as it continuously attacks and invades other countries sovereignty; the very actions Wilson accused the USSR of doing.As such, this film is an honest, if not tragic, reminder of what not to do in furtherance of economic advantage. As all Empires have found; in the end there very policies come back to destroy their power.In my opinion, the best USA film on the Vietnam War, or Vietnam's wars for freedom is 'Hamburger Hill'.

Don't get me wrong I enjoyed this movie back in the day that's why I ordered but whatever device I use the DVD plays good for a bit then hesitates then stalls then starts again I thought it was just the device I was using so I tried it into the locations in the house and still the same results

I'd think of this film as being 'intelligent' or 'educational', definitely not bloodthirsty though in fairness it HAS stood the test of time well. The Vietnam War was horrifying in every aspect. Hundreds of thousands of young Americans drafted into the Armed Services to fight an enemy half way across the globe who for the most part couldn't be seen, to TRY to prevent Communists and Communism getting an even stronger base than it already had, thousands of others doing ANYTHING to avoid or escape the draft and those that DID return often being treated like lepers. Covers the unit from the day of entry, through their training and up to their passing out parade then off to fight. Plenty of irony and a bit of the corruption that undoubtedly took place in order for fairly senior officers to 'kiss-arse' the Generals. Stan Shaw, Noble Willingham & R. Lee. Ermey star.

This film is not up to the standard of later Vietnam war movies, like Platoon or Full Metal Jacket, but does stand out as an interesting early effort, being like a cross between Full Metal Jacket and MASH, that must have influenced later movies. It does give an effective alternative view on some of the strange things that went on in that theatre of war, but some of the acting and direction is less than perfect, and it is not the most action filled story and the enemy is hardly sighted. Good as a different take on the war.

I'll revisit the rating after I've watched the DVD to see how good a transfer it is, but full marks for price and delivery. The DVD was second-hand but as described, was in good condition. I saw this film when it was released and had meant to get it on DVD for years. If anyone has seen Platoon, this film was, in part, its inspiration, even down to the same actor as the drill instructor - and he really was one!

Very, very excited to finally get a copy of this brilliant war film in its widescreen glory!!All these years having to suffer with American pan and scan prints...they were barely watchable.But now, thanks for finally giving this classic the treatment it has longed for! It is region B DVD, so if from the states, you will need all region player (which thankfully I have!) and movies like this one (andMETROPOLIS) make it worthwhile!Brilliant!!

this film is another classic vietnam war film been after it for years so amazon saved the day in many ways full metal jacket was based on this film its not to gory lovely storyline and its actuaully based on a true story great acting throughout