IMDb > Jarhead (2005)
Jarhead
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips
Photos (see all 176 | slideshow) Videos (see all 15 NEW)
Jarhead (2005) -- Based on former Marine Anthony Swofford's best-selling 2003 book about his pre-Desert Storm experiences in Saudi Arabia and about his experiences fighting in Kuwait.
Jarhead (2005) -- Based on former Marine Anthony Swofford's best-selling 2003 book about his pre-Desert Storm experiences in Saudi Arabia and about his experiences fighting in Kuwait.
Jarhead (2005) -- Based on former Marine Anthony Swofford's best-selling 2003 book about his pre-Desert Storm experiences in Saudi Arabia and about his experiences fighting in Kuwait.
Jarhead (2005) -- Trailerfan.com - Trailer (Flash)
Jarhead (2005) -- Sinematurk - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
7.2/10   54,827 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 45% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Sam Mendes
Writers (WGA):
William Broyles Jr. (screenplay)
Anthony Swofford (book)
Contact:
View company contact information for Jarhead on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
4 November 2005 (USA) more
Genre:
Biography | Drama | War more
Tagline:
Every man fights his own war. more
Plot:
Based on former Marine Anthony Swofford's best-selling 2003 book about his pre-Desert Storm experiences in Saudi Arabia and about his experiences fighting in Kuwait. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
Awards:
1 win & 9 nominations more
User Comments:
From a Marine from that era more (615 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Jake Gyllenhaal ... Anthony Swofford

Scott MacDonald ... D.I. Fitch

Peter Sarsgaard ... Alan Troy

Jamie Foxx ... Staff Sgt. Sykes

Lo Ming ... Bored Gunny (as Ming Lo)

Lucas Black ... Chris Kruger

Kevin Foster ... Branded Marine

Brian Geraghty ... Fergus O'Donnell

Damion Poitier ... Poitier
Riad Galayini ... Nurse
Craig Coyne ... Young Mr. Swofford

Katherine Randolph ... Young Mrs. Swofford
Rini Bell ... Swoff's Sister

Dendrie Taylor ... Mrs. Swofford

James Morrison ... Mr. Swofford
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
Jarhead - Willkommen im Dreck (Germany)
more
MPAA:
Rated R for pervasive language, some violent images and strong sexual content.
Runtime:
125 min
Country:
Germany | USA
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS
Filming Locations:
Brawley, California, USA more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
One of the pictures on the "Wall of Shame" (just left of center) is of porn performer Kitty. more
Goofs:
Continuity: When Swoff is getting his first firing training to be a Scout Sniper, his first shot is fired and he scores a hit on the upper right side of the target in the head. When he re-chambers to prepare for his next shot and we see through his cross-hairs, his last shot appears to have been a bullseye in left center of the head. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
Anthony 'Swoff' Swofford: A story: A man fires a rifle for many years, and he goes to war. And afterward he turns the rifle in at the armory, and he believes he's finished with the rifle. But no matter what else he might do with his hands, love a woman, build a house, change his son's diaper; his hands remember the rifle.
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in "At the Movies: Summer Special 2008/09" (2008) more
Soundtrack:
O.P.P. more

FAQ

What happens with Troy after the war?
more
254 out of 355 people found the following comment useful.
From a Marine from that era, 6 November 2005
9/10
Author: bobhendry from United States

At last - a movie that simply shows it like it is... No "Rambo" superhero-idiotic-nonsense; no overdone, melancholy, attempt at cinematic artistry at the cost of authenticity - such as is found in "Platoon", "FMJ", "Apocalipse Now" and "Deerhunter" - to name a few overrated war movies.

Finally a movie which captures the FEEL of being a Marine in the eighties... the sights, the sounds, the events - all brought back vivid memories. As the scenes unfolded, I found myself thinking "... I remember when that happened..." over and over, because my service somewhat paralleled Swofford's own, and I was aware of - if not a witness to - certain events that took place. A movie which portrays the Marine grunt for what he is... certainly no angel, but the absolute backbone of American military toughness. The barracks and field life portrayed in this movie is perhaps the most accurate portrait Hollywood has produced.

With only a few realtively minor technical inaccuracies, this is a movie whose full richness can probably only be experienced by those who were in the Corps at that time. And for that degree of accuracy, I am grateful to the author and those who produced the film. Too often producers and directors overlook the details that make a military film credible to veterans - such as the details of the uniform, the sounds and function of weapons, the behavior of the characters. Not so in "Jarhead". And the dialogue was right on.

Having read several of the other comments, it is clear to me that there are events depicted in the movie which may not be clearly understood or properly contextualized by someone who has not served in the Marine Corps infantry. Do not let that stop you from seeing the film - it is an excellent view into a world most people will never see. I left the theater feeling proud of my service, and although I miss the daily life of an active duty Marine, "Jarhead" left me feeling strangely happy to be able to look back on it - and to sleep in my own home, my own bed, tonight. Yet, for many Marine veterans, the hope remains in the back of our minds that the phone will ring tomorrow with an opportunity to go back and lead men once again - and yes, for those who might wonder, even in Iraq or anywhere else - as the line in the move so eloquently put it "Forget the politics. We're here now." Such is the fidelity of a rough-hewn few who are ready to fight when called upon. Grunts really don't expect most people to love us or understand us, but we hope there are some folks out there who might appreciate the fact that we are there. I think the movie captures that notion commendably.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (615 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Jarhead (2005)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Not what I was expecting DanteRussia
Is this movie to blame for.... Sewok15
Terribly bad movie Master_Of_Zen
That must have been TERRIFYING!!! marinecorpsmedic6
Reality mrvolvo
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Full Metal Jacket Three Kings All Quiet on the Western Front The Holy Mountain Die Blechtrommel
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Biography section IMDb Germany section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.