The D.I. (1957)

the D. I. with Jack Webb

By William  May 24, 2005

Pros: Outstanding view of recruit training in the '50's. All it needs is the recruits getting "thumped" to be real.

Cons: B & W; VHS only.

There have only been two motion pictures that gave a true version of USMC recruit training--the D. I. from the 1950's and Full Metal Jacket from the 1960's. This one has more of the rah-rah stuff, and the second has examples of drill instruct...or "corrective activity" that all Marines of the period knew about. Both are fairly accurate depictions of what recruit training was all about. It was the drill instructor in both movies that was the strong fatherly figure to which most recruits would bond, despite their being martinents and hard, seemingly unfeeling men. If the definitive motion picture of USMC boot camp has yet to be made, these are as close as as one is ever likely to see. The D.I. is, as the title suggests, more about the drill instructor and is the overall best version. Highly recommended for all Marines. Semper Fidelis! Read more Less