The Tribe (1970)

A Marine Corps drill instructor who is disgusted by the fact that the Corps now accepts draftees finds himself pitted against a hippie who has been drafted but refuses to accept the military's way of doing things.

Director:

Joseph Sargent

Writers:

Tracy Keenan Wynn, Marvin Schwartz

Stars:

Darren McGavin, Earl Holliman, Jan-Michael Vincent

Won 3 Primetime Emmys. Another 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview:
Darren McGavin	...	Drake
Earl Holliman	...	DePayster
Jan-Michael Vincent	...	Adrian
John Gruber	...	Quentin
Danny Goldman	...	Sidney
Richard Yniguez	...	Sanchez
Antone Curtis	...	Marcellus
Peter Hooten	...	Scrunch
David Buchanan	...	Armstrong
Ric Weaver	...	Morton

Storyline

Among the new recruits in a U.S. Marine basic-training platoon is Adrian, a long-haired member of the hippie generation, opposed to blind allegiance to authority and the complete opposite of Gunnery Sergeant Tom Drake, who is assigned as Drill Instructor for Adrian's platoon. Drake's job as a D.I. is to break down the individuality of his recruits in order to rebuild them as a military unit, and he sets out to break Adrian's particularly contrary spirit. But Adrian's gentle will is difficult to break, and eventually both men come to learn something about what the other has to offer.

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Plot Keywords:

individuality | recruit | military | hippie | drill instructor | 

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Taglines:

WANTED by the US Marines: for AWOL, insubordination . . . and doing his thing!

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

G

Did You Know?

Trivia

The United States Marine Corps has two, and only two, basic training installations for the initial enlisted training, commonly called boot-camp. Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego (where this movie is based), and Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina. Officers receive their basic training (Officer Candidate School) at Marine Corps Base, Quantico, Virginia.

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Goofs

As Adrian and Drake leave the bus station, a light is reflected in the door.

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Quotes

DePayster: You hear about those boys in 'Nam, smokin' marijuana? Any of my boys do that, I'll kill 'em!
Drake: What? What are you talking about, you don't have any "boys."
DePayster: Aw, I'll kill 'em anyway.

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Connections

Referenced in Full Metal Jacket (1987)

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Soundtracks

Tribes
Words and Music by Marty Cooper

User Reviews

It's us against them

I haven't seen this since my first viewing in 1970 but I remember the reactions of my peers ( I was 16) very well. We thought it was great! It was wonderful to see "one of our own" succeed against the military that threatened all of us at that time. It may be hard to understand today, but in those times of the draft, the Kent State shootings, and the war in Viet Nam, those of us with long hair or alternative views took pleasure in seeing those reflected in the popular media of the day which was anything but "alternative".

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 November 1970 (USA)

Also Known As:

Tribes

Filming Locations:

Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, San Diego, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Marvin Schwartz Productions, 20th Century Fox Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Color:

Color (Color by Deluxe)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1