The D.I. (1957) User Reviews

Good movie, although a bit "Jack Webb" dated, but very professional.

[frankjohnson · 8/10 · 4 May 2007]

I was a Marine at Camp Pendleton when the D.I. came out (1st Marine Division, 11th Marine Regiment, 3rd Battalion, I-Battery). I still remember standing in line with a bunch of other Marines to see the movie at the "Star" theater in Oceanside, California.

We did not remotely expect the movie to portray everything we experienced in boot camp but we were all pleasantly surprised at how well done the movie was. The idea of using real Marines in the movie was a great idea (I believe they were all real Drill Instructors too). As good an actor as Jack Webb was, he just couldn't "call cadence" like a real Marine Drill Instructor.

All of us got a laugh when the "problem" recruit's mother came to boot camp to talk to the Captain. Never in a million years would this have happened, but that's Hollywood, and we didn't let that episode keep us from enjoying the movie.

I went through boot camp at MCRD in San Diego during the summer of 1956, and at that time there was virtually no limits as to what the D.I.'s could do to you. The "Ribbon Creek" event at Parris Island had not yet affected boot camp, at least not at MCRD - San Diego.

I agree with what a lot of the other reviewers have commented on concerning Sgt. Moore's "stiffness" around his girl friend. I believe this was just Webb's acting style, and although they could have deleted this part of the movie, it didn't really hurt the production that much.

One minor note, the character (uncredited) of "Pvt. Rodriguez" was played by one of my Drill Instructors, Sgt. Peter J. O'Neill. Sgt. O'Neill used to tell us that some day he wanted to be an actor. We secretly laughed at this, but he surprised us all. He was a great Drill Instructor, and I thought he did well in his bit part. Also, he really did enjoy throwing knives. He often demonstrated his skill to us that summer in boot camp. I have often wondered if he is still alive.

The Toughest Dang Drill Instructor Ever!

[hokeybutt · 8/10 · 21 December 2005]

THE D.I. (4 outta 5 stars) Wow, I certainly did not expect to be enjoying this movie as much as I did. I had never even heard of it until I saw it sitting in the discount video bin one day. I figured Jack Webb playing an army drill instructor might be good for a chuckle but figured the drama would pale in comparison to such recent movie D.I.s as portrayed in "Full Metal Jacket" or "An Officer and a Gentleman". Boy, was I wrong. This is probably the best work Webb has ever done... far and away better than his one-note "Dragnet" performances. The delivery of his tough guy dialogue is just brilliant... done in his patented deadpan monotone and yet you *know* that the guy means every word of it. The story might seem a little hokey compared to the grittier military movies that have followed but I still found the movie fascinating and compelling. Even a completely unnecessarily musical interlude in an army nightclub had me hooked. Anyone know where I can get a copy of that terrific Ray Coniff song "If'n You Don't, Somebody Else Will"? Webb plays the toughest dang drill instructor ever... and he's under pressure to kick out the deadbeat Private Owen but, by golly, he sees a man buried somewhere in that sissyboy and he's gonna drag him out kicking and screaming! Great stuff!

Jack Webb in an interesting sort of role....

[planktonrules · 8/10 · 26 March 2012]

Jack Webb does a big career departure--playing a tough as nails drill instructor in the US Marine Corps. While he does a very credible job in this role, I just marveled because I kept thinking of his as his more familiar character, Joe Friday! Webb is having two difficulties in the film. The most obvious is a cadet named Owens (Don Dubbins--who frequently guest starred on "Dragnet")--who seems emotionally unfit and unlikely to make it out of boot camp. His other problem is struggling with being a human being. His tough as nails approach to life is a serious drawback when it comes to real relationships--and he treats women almost like recruits! Why Annie (his real-life wife, Jackie Loughery) likes him is beyond me--perhaps she likes a fixer-upper--and this sergeant needs a lot of work.

The film apparently is very accurate about boot camp and D.I.s--though I have no direct experience to know if this is or isn't the case. I do know, however, that it IS entertaining. And, the story of Private Owens is compelling--especially when his mother (Virginia Gregg--a VERY familiar actress in Jack Webb's productions) comes to visit--and is probably the best part of the film. Well worth watching.

By the way, if you ever get a chance, there's an interesting biography about Jack Webb. You learn that, in some ways, Webb was a lot like the guy in this film as well as Sgt. Friday from "Dragnet"--a guy who struggled to be able to relate to people and seemed very ill at ease with feelings. Kind of sad...though a terrific actor/producer/director.

I played the part of "Hillbilly" in the movie.

[sandfleaii · 12 September 2010]

I was a working DI at MCRD San Diego when I was selected to play in the movie. I was the first Marine so selected by Webb. I am (or was, Technical Sergeant Charles A Love, USMC. Concerning the sun glasses scene which we shot at DelMar..I was wearing the glasses because I had supposedly gotten a black eye while scuffling with Dubbins at the wash rack scene. If you look closely you can see the makeup of such on my face. They originally had normal looking glasses but Colonel Carneal had them changed to the silly ones so as to make it not look they were medically unnecessary...Semper Fi Marines..I will be glad to answer any queries you may have about the making of the movie. I presently live in Deland, Florida. TechSgt Lou Lazarko lives nearby. (He had a run in with Webb in the bar) I have been in touch with some of the Marines.Notably Pete O'Neal, whose face I slapped to kill the supposedly one that Dubbins had killed and which I subsequently took up to Webb who visually verified that this was a female flea and not the male one that Dubbins had slapped. Some of the other Marines have written on this site with good information. Actually Lou Lazarko is the one who took Lt. Schmidt's role when he couldn't properly deliver the line of "What's this, the brand called X" in the Duty hut when Jack threw the cup at him and hit the door. Lou originally went to Hollywood with us as a troop handler and then took Schmidts place. Lou and I then were the handlers of the thirty five recently graduated Marines who were use in the movie. At that time Lou was a working DI at MCRD San Diego, not PI as someone has indicated. Jack took the four of use with the main parts to Chicago for what they called the World Premiere where we appeared on stage between each showing of the movie. As someone pointed out Jack never could quite get down the real DI cadence and they used Sgt Prutzman's and my cadence calling in the movie. I will probably write more about the movie as time goes on. I will be happy to answer any emails about it...Semper Fi. ([e-mail])

Real Marines populate the cast of the trainees

[bkoganbing · 6/10 · 29 January 2012]

The title role in The DI is played by Jack Webb who produced this film as well and it's played in the familiar Webb staccato style. But as true to his calling Webb shouts a great deal more than he ever did as Sergeant Joe Friday.

Until the very end you don't know why Webb is taking such an interest in Private Don Dubbins, in seeing that he gets through his twelve weeks of basic training. It seems like it would be the easiest thing in the world to just boot him out of the Corps and get on with training the rest. If he hasn't got it, he hasn't got it, but Webb sees him as some kind of challenge as well and in this he bunks heads with the company commander, Captain Lin McCarthy.

Real marines, but not recruits play the rest of the men in his training platoon and I was surprised in the performances these non-professionals at acting delivered. Granted they are playing former versions of themselves and could really draw on experience in delivering their lines.

The future Mrs. Jack Webb, Jackie Loughery plays a lounge singer who Webb takes an interest in. And Virginia Gregg has a very telling scene as the mother of Don Dubbins with both Webb and McCarthy. She's married to the Marine Corps in a special way.

The DI holds up well after over 50 years, the marines still go through the same training will shouting gunnery sergeants overseeing them. And you will not forget the sand flea that gets buried with full military honors on Parris Island.

I was in the DI

[kentm0300 · 10/10 · 29 January 2007]

Of course I'm a bit prejudiced but for the time it was the most accurate portrayal of Marines ever shown on the big screen.

I was at Camp Pendleton undergoing infantry training when Webb brought his crew down to film some outdoor scenes and our company was asked to participate. It took about two or three days as best I can recall.

Webb and Don Dubbins were serious and businesslike.

During the filming of our short scene--which seemed to take forever to an 18 year old--Webb was very conscientious about getting things (Marine things) right and he did a good job with one exception--that scene where a recruit was wearing sunglasses. Never happen for a host of reasons.

I have a video of the movie and will bore my grandkids anytime I can make them sit still for a few seconds as I show them their Papaw when he was a young stud and part of the world's greatest fighting force (no brag, just fact).

What amazed me then was how well the real Marines carried out their acting roles. That was before I realized that DIs have to have some acting genes to get their job done.

The only film I've seen since that is the equal of the DI is the first half of Full Metal Jacket and that part is superior only because of the foul language. When the DI was made, cursing wasn't allowed on screen.

Despite the lack of profanity, it's still a great movie to rent.

Ooooo-rahhhhhh!!!!!

Semper Fi, Do or Die

Inaccurate portrayal.

[lockwood-10 · 7/10 · 26 August 2006]

Jack Webb's movie 'The D.I' came about from the real life investigation into the deaths of several trainees in a swamp in Paris Isle in the 50's. As always, Webb, being the patriot that he is, came to the defense much like all the rest of his shows. I actually found this movie tame by 1957 standards. I served in the Army and can understand the intensity of the training at Parris Island (Camp Death by some)so this movie can never come close as does 'Full Metal Jacket'. I think this is a good movie which is more patriot than it is actual. But again, think of the time period it was made (1957) and what could be allowed and said on film at that time. I have always found Jack Webb to be clean cut and very loyal. I know many have criticized the film as one-sided and government propaganda. If you feel this way, watch 'Full Metal Jacket' with R Lee Ermey. I am a Webb fan and enjoy the movie for it's merit, not accuracy. As I have said, Webb believed in this country and held institutions to high moral standards (LAPD-Dragnet,Adam 12, Emergency etc). Just sit back and enjoy this one from a very strict moral time period in this country. Don't be too judgemental of Mr. Webb. Mark Lockwood Lubbock Texas..

no one has done it better

[mike-4421 · 10/10 · 16 April 2007]

I had the good fortune to be at Perris Island in the fall of 1959. The DI showed one evening at the outdoor theater directly in front of our barracks, Plt 162, B Co, 1st Bn, 1st ITR.

Although we hadn't been there long enough to even think about seeing a movie, we could hear those that were laughing. It's one of the many indelible memories of my thirteen weeks at PI.

At some later date, I got to actually see it in a theater. I'm still convinced that, to date, it remains the most realistic portrayal of the experience in the late 1950's ever done. No one has done it better than Jack Webb...

If you brains were made of dynamite you couldn't blow your nose!

[sol1218 · 7/10 · 1 February 2012]

**SPOILERS*** Jack Webb is the tough as nails outside and Mr.Softie inside Gunnery Sargent Jim Moore who's Job as a D.I-drill instructor-on Parris Island is to shape and whip up raw recruits and turn them into men or better yet US Marines.

It's one of Sgt.Moore men Pvt. Owens, Don Dubbins, who's really getting under the Old Sarge's skin in alway reporting to sick-bay and refusing to shape up on maneuvers that includes 5 10 and even 20 mile runs with full packs and equipment weighing up to 40 pounds! Owens's despite joining the Marine Corps is now doing everything to get himself kicked out of the military with a general or even dishonorable discharge! This is something that Sgt. Moore won't stand for and he's more then willing to go so far as to run Owens into the ground or into his grave to prevent him from doing that!

There's also pretty saleslady Annie, Jackie Loughery, whom Sgt.Moore met at the NCO club after slugging her date, also a US Marine D.I, whom he's developed the hots for but is,in feeling it would bring out his sweet and tender side, just too shy or unwilling to asked her out for a date or even a drink! It's in fact Sgt. Moore's experience with Annie that somehow connects him with Pvt.Owens whom in a different and father and son like way feels the same for him. Pvt.Owens meanwhile goes from bad to worse in screwing himself and his,Sgt.Moore's, US Marine company #194 up at every occasion. It's finally when Pvt. Owens is about to get his wish in being drummed out of the US Marine Corps that his Momma or Mrs. Owens, Virginia Gregg, shows up at boot camp pleading with Sgt. Moore and his superior officer Capt. Anderson,Lin McCarthy, to do everything they can to make him into a US Marine even if it ends up killing her son in them doing it!

***SPOILERS*** As it's turns out Pvt.Owens comes from a long and proud US Marine family who's father Captain Charles D. Owens was the company commender of the now Perris Island commanding general officer back in WWII. It was during the invasion of the Marshall Islands that Capt. Owens was killed in action in leading his men in the storming the island beachhead. There's also Pvt. Owens two older brothers and also US Marines who died during the bug-out at the Chosin Reservoir in the winter of 1950 while under attack by hundreds of thousands of Communist Red Chinese troops. It was because those bitter experiences that Mrs. Owens babied her youngest son,Pvt.Owens, who became both a momma's boy and the sorry a** wimp that he now turned out to be. Now knowing that all Pvt.Owens needs is a swift and hard kick in the butt to straighten him out both Capt.Anderson & Sgt. Moore got to work on him. Not in just knowing what to do but what Pvt.Owens problems really are and how to correct them. And before you know it as the movie ends Pvt.Owens did become not only a first class US Marine but the flag bearer of his US Marine Company #194 as well!

Movie Update Comments

[oldgoldies · 10/10 · 9 April 2008]

Well as you can see, I got to this party quite late but, have the advantage of reading all the previous entries before making my comments. I found this site by happen chance, when I was looking for other Marine Corps films. So, let me start by telling you that I played a Marine Boot in the movie, Pvt. Labarsky, and was stationed at MCRDep, San Diego at the time. Jack Webb and his crew selected 15 Permanent Personnel, of which some of us had the speaking parts, and another 15 Marines that had just completed Boot Camp. That made up the Platoon and the Marines who portrayed the various "DIs". To the best of my recollection, The Capt. and Pvt. Owens (Don Dubbins) were not in the Marines. We spent about three weeks up in Hollywood (Studio City Film Lot), CA shooting the section of the movie that we were involved with, and then they completed the other shots after we left.

So as I ramble along here, let me clarify some of what has been questioned in previous entries as best I can. "Cuff Daddy" was commenting about the ability of our Platoon to yell "Yes Sir" without moving and etc,, Yes we did the yelling for the Sound Guys, and it was while shooting the scene. As you fellow Marines remember, when the DI or who ever started to ask a question and before they completed it, you had already taken your breath of air enabling you to yell at the top of your lungs the proper response. That is how it was done.

"74Sooner" commented about walking through the same building at Paris Island, however, as I mentioned earlier all the scenes were shot in Studio City, CA . They were built from photos taken at Paris Island and from on site trips and Marine advisers from Paris Island. Sorry, you were in the real buildings, not the sets.

"schappe1" brought up many good points, but, about the incident with the platoon at Paris Island at the time all that jack Webb said to us was, "The movie came about because of the accident, and the Marine Corps didn't want to put out anything that would impact any of the family members of the Marines that died that night. Although, the Marine Corps would provide any Marines and assistance needed for a movie answering to the public why a Marine DI does what he does".

As mentioned by a few of you, I also at the time we were shooting the scenes caught my self thinking this dialog has been cleaned up to much and obviously isn't how it goes down in real life. Back in the 50's,that is how it had to be done.

One story I would like to pass on is about the interaction that occurred between us Marines and the Movie Crew, and between the Movie Crew and Jack Webb. From the start by custom the Marines replied "Yes Sir" to anybody that moved. Going into the second week it was getting more common to hear "Yes Sir" coming from all directions. On stage someone would bark out a request for something to be done with the lighting and from out of nowhere up on a catwalk above the set a reply of "Yes Sir" would sound out. To all of this at one of our informal gatherings, Jack Webb stated. "If I had known that I would have gotten this much respect from this crew, I would have brought you guys up here years ago." There was a Lt. brought up from San Diego to play the role of the DI from the other platoon and the one Jack Webb fights with, but during one shooting secessions He was up to take number 32, and still Webb kept trying to work him through how he wanted it done and didn't show any lack of patience with him. The next day they used the Paris Island adviser who was a DI Sgt. from Paris Island and He worked out fine.

At the time I was somewhat of a camera buff and got to know the Still Camera Man to get some pointer from him and as it turned out He would give me still shots and some of the 35mm film of the daily shooting that were not going to be used. Those film strips I cut up and made slides out of them. After the movie came out in VHS tape (The DI, 11706 B&W/106 min.) my kids and the grand kids have a blast when they try to se who can find me the most times on the screen.

Great Movie!

[hondo-622-639355 · 10/10 · 30 December 2009]

Semper Fi! I saw "The D.I." in 1957. Two-and-a-half -years later I joined the Corps.

Web and company got it as right as they could in '57. Boot, in '59, was more like, in fact, exactly like, the Boot Camp shown in "Full Metal Jacket" - Yes. A black recruit, in my training platoon, was called "Snowball." I was called "Stick," because I was skinny as a rail. Every recruit had a nickname, some rather vile, that stuck with him through his service in the Corps. Getting smacked, or knocked on your ass, when you screwed-up was SOP. "Drop, and give me fifty," got to be ho-hum. Then, it turned into,"Drop, and give me two-hundred!"

The D.I.'s were a bunch of sadistic bastards, but it was a controlled sadism, and with a primary purpose of keeping us stupid MoFos alive when we hit combat. 200 years of experience was ingrained in that "sadism," and everything the D.I. did, or said, had a purpose geared to his mission.

A bad D.I. gets grunts killed. A good D.I., though seemingly the world's biggest asshole, keeps 'em alive. You can't kill the enemy if you're dead.

In case you didn't know, the Marine Corps has one primary mission: Kill the enemy. PFD.

Everything else is pure bravo sierra.

MstGySgt WHT, USMC (ret)

A NoGo

[Grrr8 · 3/10 · 13 November 2018]

What a stinker. How can anyone believe that this dreck is worthwhile? I went through basic training. This is nonsense. Complete baloney.

Jack Webb's most entertaining theatrical feature

[Michael-202 · 28 June 1999]

Why is it Jack Webb gets no respect as a director? This film puts to death the myth that Webb was a one-trick ("Dragnet") pony. Marines then and now call "The D.I." the most accurate portrayal of boot camp training ever put on celluloid. It's also a marvelous character study, with gripping performances by both Webb and Don Dubbins. What makes it even more amazing is:

1) Only three of the men in this film were professional actors; Webb, Dubbins and Lin McCarthy, and Dubbins had been a Marine. All the others were actual Marines, and Webb elicted memorable performances from most of them.

2) It was shot in a breathtaking 23 days in March of 1957.

3) To make the summer release date requested by Warner Bros., Webb edited as he shot. By the time principal photography wrapped, he had two reels cut and scored.

Yet, Webb is laughed at as an actor, and dismissed as a director? See this film and ask yourself, WHY???

FACTOID: The film was based on a KRAFT TELEVISION THEATER presentation called "Murder of a Sand Flea." Lin McCarthy played the same role in both productions.

A realistic look at Marine Corp boot camp!

[gitrich · 9/10 · 2 November 1998]

Jack Webb is riveting as a Marine Corp drill instructor in the D.I.. Webb play Sgt.Jim Moore, a tough but fair Marine whose job it is to prepare young teens for possible combat. No one could have played this role any better that Jack Webb. As a former Marine,I can assure that this is the most accurate film dealing with basic training in the Corp. Extremely entertaining!

For a non-serviceman, Jack Webb is GREAT!

[elskootero · 10/10 · 8 March 2004]

I first saw this film in the late 60's, and try to see it every time it comes on TV, which, unfortunately, isn't often. Now that I have TCM and FMC, I hope it will be on at least once a year. Like Louis Gossett Jr. in An Officer and A Gentleman, Jack Webb delivers an unbelievably great performance as a Parris Island Drill Sergeant with the classic screw-up recruit, and the story line in this one, though dated, is touching and very well acted. And having real jar-heads in the cast certainly helped in the realism of the film as well. It's a great film with top-notch acting and a superb story. See it if you have the chance-It's well worth the time!

A realistic and well acted film about life in a Marine Corp bootcamp.

[gitrich · 9/10 · 4 November 1998]

Having been a Marine, I can tell you that the D.I. is as accurate a portrayal to date depicting Marine Corp boot camp and how boys are turned into men. Jack Webb is excellent as Sgt.Jim Moore, a tough, but fair drill instructor in Paris Island North Carolina. The film centers on one recruit who doesn't seem to "get with the program." A more recent film, Full Metal Jacket, also shows life in basic training and is well worth viewing.

The D. I. holds up well after 51 years!

[Gunn · 9/10 · 25 July 2009]

I saw this movie on TV back in the 60s and it still stands up well even after brilliant performances as a DI by R. Lee Ermey, Lou Gossett and even Frank Sutton (in a comic vein) on Gomer Pyle USMC. I wasn't in the service but my brother had a recording of a Drill Instructor in the Air Force and it was scary. Others in the family who were Marines told me that Ermey and even Sutton were pretty spot on in their roles. The only thing missing in "The D. I." is the language. In 1958 they couldn't yet use profanity on film, yet Jack Webb came across pretty damned tough without it. I think it's his best role ever. In Dragnet he was quite stiff I'll admit, though not as bad as George Raft, but he used it only to effect in "The D. I." You never forget the funeral for the dead flea! The romantic part was just to stretch the movie, but didn't really interfere with the basic plot. Don Dubbins was pretty good to but he never surpassed this film in his career. As far as patriotism, Jack Webb was TV's John Wayne. He carried it a bit too far in some Dragnet episodes, but not in "The D. I." After 40 some years I hoped the film could stand up to the likes "Full Metal Jacket" and others; and it did!

A fair description of Marine Corps boot camp but could have been better

[johnestromjr · 5/10 · 31 August 2015]

I joined the United States Marine Corps shortly after this film was released, in January, 1958. I had heard about it over the years but never saw the film until recently.

I'm a big fan of Jack Webb and looked forward to re-living what we experienced during boot camp.

The movie was filmed at MCRD aka Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island and I don't have an experience with PI but I noticed many differences between MCRD PI and MCRD San Diego. At MCRD San Diego, except for the very few first days of arrival all of our time in boot camp we lived in Quonset huts rather than barracks. The Quonset hut is shaped like a barrel cut through from top to bottom and set flat on concrete. In our Quonset huts were steel spring bunk beds with a double locker between the bunk beds and the next bunk bed. Under were two wooden foot lockers where we kept everything that didn't go into our lockers. NOTHING was left out - other than foot gear under our beds and our rifles safely stored in the rifle rack.

Some things I noticed from the movie - the PI recruits were allowed to keep the top button of their utility jackets unbuttoned. Our utility jackets were buttoned all the way to the top and uncomfortable when it was hot. We were not allowed to open that top button until just before graduation. The other difference was they allowed the PI recruits to blouse their boots - putting elastic bands over the boot tops and tucking the utility trousers into them. Our utility trousers / boots remained straight over the boots until just before graduation.

The grinder aka parade field where we marched and learned close order drill, at PI was pretty pathetic and I saw very few platoons engaged in close order drilling in the movie. At MCRD San Diego we drilled EVERY DAY - except Saturdays and Sundays. That is also where we warmed up every morning doing calisthenics with our M1 rifles, where uniform inspections took place and where we raw recruits learned discipline. Everything our Drill Instructor taught us during boot camp was Gospel and the grinder was our home. We learned close order drill to the point we could do it in our sleep. The grinder at PI seemed kind of puny and pathetic by comparison.

While I enjoyed the movie and like Jack Webb there wasn't enough close order drill in the movie and the story line was weak. I'd like to see a new, The DI, made that showed what a real boot camp experience is like. There is NO experience in life that is equal to it.

Semper Fi

Private Owens was such a coward!

[dtucker86 · 25 October 2003]

I am a Sergeant in the US Army who has had ten years experience on active duty and six years in the National Guard, I also served in Operation Desert Storm. I think I am in a better position to review this film then many others have done. Jack Webb always wanted realism in his films and television shows. He made The DI between the Dragnet series that he did and it is an excellent film that has not aged at all. It is as tough-hitting and realistic as ever. Maybe Jack isn't as good as Louis Gosset or Lee Ermey was in his portrayal of a Marine drill instructor, but he is damn close I can tell you! Maybe people think that drill sergeants are so mean, but I can tell you from my experience that they HAVE to be that way! You don't train young Marines or soldiers effectively by being kind. You have to get in their face and let them know that its all business. You tear them down and build them up all over again. That is the purpose of military training that they show in this film. The year before this film was made, on April 8, 1956 as a matter of fact, a Marine drill instructor marched his platoon into Ribbon Creek swamp at Parris Island as punishment. There was an unexpected storm and tidal wave and six Marines drowned as a result. This black mark on The Marine Corps resulted in a very negative thing. They have made military training far TOO easy as a result. Did you know that today drill sergeants are not even allowed to swear at privates when they do something dumb! They are not allowed to touch them and its like they have made basic training like a girl scout summer camp! I hated Private Owens because he reminded me of a lot of soldiers I have known in my career that were just babies who had been passed thru training and would have been killed on day 1 in combat!

a true account of marine basic training

[numbr1chargerfan · 10/10 · 22 January 2005]

I have seen this movie and anybody who has every been with the Marines or any branch of the service can appreciate the accuracy of this movie. It is a must have for any collection. Jack Webb does an excellent job as the hard drill instructor. My father went to Marine boot camp at Camp Penelton and says this movie is so accurate that he feels like he is back in basic training. There is a line in the movie where Jack Webbs character gets mad at a boot for killing a sand flea. Well let me tel you there are nothing but sand fleas at the camp. I have been there and can appreciate it. As a matter of fact the exit to the camp is Las Puljas which in English means city of the fleas. you must watch the movie to appreciate what I am saying. Anybody who is into WWII movies, all the battles start right here with the drill Sgt. A must have for you collection

Highly recommend

[74Sooner · 8/10 · 15 May 2005]

I served as a Corpsman at Parris Island in the late 60's, a little over 10 years after "The D. I." was shot. I was in some of the barracks where they filmed some of the indoor scenes. I knew a lot of Drill Instructors and a lot of recruits. I think the movie is as close as any movie to showing the life of a recruit and that of a Drill Instructor. Without a doubt, I think it is the best thing Jack Webb ever did. If you have been in the military, you need to see this movie. This was the way it was. It shows how important it is to take a bunch of raw recruits and turn them into men ready to defend our country. One feature I found fascinating is that most of the characters are played by real Marines, not actors.

Positive contrast of movie to today's fare

[FredWWW · 10/10 · 21 June 1999]

Jack Webb's portrayal of the Marine drill instructor shaping new recruits in basic training requires no interpretation. Straight forward, direct, up front, are all applicable to this classic. In a time when parsing the statements of our leaders is a necessity in order to understand what they are saying, this movie that plays no games with our language or our moral fiber. Right and wrong are clear and easily defined. If you like clear, well understood dialog in a disciplined military setting, this movie should suit you.

Completely Agree

[rstacom-1 · 10/10 · 28 May 2006]

I would purchase this and "Thirty Seconds Over Toyko" today if available. I also saw this movie after seeing large billboards of Jack Webb in his Dress Blues on the highway at the age of 12.Always admired Jack Weeb as a John Wayne type and American all the way. Almost became a Marine just because of this movie but served instead in the Air Force, Air Force Reserve and Army Reserve for 32 years. Have not seen this movie on TV at all and would love to own it on DVD. At least if it was on TV I would copy it to VHS and use it until available on DVD. I also have a large collection of WWII and Korean War movies and always look for new releases on DVD.

A Closer Look at Webb and the Movie

[dougdoepke · 4 February 2012]

A hard-nosed Marine DI struggles with a problem recruit.

More than most, this movie is a product of its time period and its producer-director, Jack Webb. No one on screen was more in thrall to authority and authority figures than Webb, whether it be cops, DA's, or DI's, as is the case here. But then, his personality was well suited to play such authority figures.

Here, he's perfectly cast as the emotionally stifled drill sergeant. So, whether shouting commands or snarling insults, he's convincing to a rare degree for any Hollywood performer. On the other hand, the role's not likely to win him many female fans. For example, catch those softer scenes with Annie (Loughery); they're almost painful to watch. Nonetheless, it helps the movie that his macho character is, at least, willing to admit his difficulties.

The production itself amounts to an artifact of the 1950's. Overall, there's no hint of criticism of the military or its methods. After all, the country was coming off glorious victories in Europe and Asia, while the recent truce in Korea was more or less shoved under the rug. So, while we may chafe at some of Sgt. Moore's and the Marine Corps' harsh methods, we understand the purpose. At the same time, I think it's to Webb's credit that in no way does he try to make Moore likable. Of course, aspects of training, e.g. bad language, could not be shown because of the restrictive Production Code of the period.

Dealing with the narrative's problem character, Pvt. Owens (Dubbins), presented the screenwriter with a number of choices. He could have made him a mixed-up kid, a budding criminal, or a rebellious James Dean (as one reviewer astutely notes). Instead, writer Barrett makes what I think is a wise choice that resonates even in today's cultural climate. The kid's a quitter. He refuses to finish what he starts, whether it's professional schools or the Marines. Thus, without some kind of turnaround, he's headed for failure regardless of his life choices. Even so, Owens' eventual turnaround is a bit sudden and under-motivated given that he's insisted the discharge papers be put through.

Anyway, I like the way tradition is worked into the story with Pvt. Owens' mother (Gregg). Tradition is a large part of the military's mystique and here it is used in plausible fashion to keep Owens from washing out of training. (Note how director Webb has actor Webb suddenly become a mute bystander during Gregg's powerful scene. Even in the Dragnet series, Webb was willing to slide out of the spotlight when the drama warranted.)

Then there's the movie's centerpiece-- the hilarious sand flea burial. It registered with audiences of the time and, I expect, still does. It's a moment of comedic inspiration that also drives home its combat lesson. Note how the entire platoon is made to pay for one man's (Owens) mistake. That way, Owens' fellow trainees have as much stake in his conduct as the DI and thereby intensify the lesson. It may not be fair, but it is effective.

On the movie's downside-- did they have to make Moore so irresistible to women; then again, maybe it was the be-medaled uniform, which was considered a definite attraction at the time. That scene in the dress shop, however, with an over-weight and leering Barbara Pepper is hardly amusing and badly misjudged. Whatever Webb's assets as a moviemaker, he was no matinée idol, so those scenes are more than a stretch.

All in all, the movie's an interesting portrayal of Marine training for its time. Whatever the film's shortcomings, they're as much a part of the popular culture of the 50's as they are of the movie itself, and would only show up in such later training films as Tribes (1970) and Full Metal Jacket (1987). It's probably also telling that Webb's effort at reviving Dragnet (1967- 1970) in the face of the emerging counterculture failed to catch on with the original Dragnet's broad audience. Times had changed, and many younger folks were unwilling to accept an uncritical view of either authority or authority figures. Webb's time had passed, but the film's still worth watching for its important glimpse of the past.

As realistic as '57 would allow

[Bucketissue · 10/10 · 30 September 2006]

By today's standards The DI might seem a little hokey. Lee Emery's version is more accurate. I graduated boot camp in Parris Island, SC in 1964. Jim Moore is as close to the real thing as you could put on the screen in 1957. I can't comment on the plot but I thought the ending was unrealistic for MCRD. PVT Owens is like many who found himself in a lot more difficult situation than he bargained for. Like so many he joined the Marine Corps for all the wrong reasons. My Drill Intructors were more like GySgt Hartman than TSgt Jim Moore. A lot more. The DI is more Korean Era and Full Metal Jacket is more Viet Nam Era. Today's movies allow that sort of thing on the screen. I have the DI in my collection. I only recently found it on DVD.