Movie analysis, “Full Metal Jacket”

Overview: As the war in Vietnam began to wind down, Americans struggled to come to terms with the loss represented by the conflict. While not the first war massively resisted by Americans, it did represent the first war that the US had lost some of its prestige as a result of participating in it. The US won WWII and emerged a world power; it maintained containment in Korea, but Vietnam did not have a clear line of success. In fact, most lamented the lack of any evidence of success and criticized the government for misleading them all along. One of the ways Americans attempted to rationalize or understand the war was through film. These four films: Full Metal Jacket, Apocalypse Now, The Deer Hunter, and Born on the Fourth of July all represent American criticisms of Vietnam. They range from fiction to biography, representing American disillusionment with their government and with the result of the war overall. Watch and analyze the films to try to understand the cultural climate of the time and American perspectives of the war.

Directions: Watch Full Metal Jacket and answer the following questions in a 1-2 page, typed, double spaced reflection paper on the film.

1. Briefly (very briefly please, no more than 1-2 short paragraphs) summarize the film.

2. Research the director and include background on the director and his purpose in making the film. What do you think was his overall message about Vietnam?

3. Briefly analyze the accuracy of the portrayal of Vietnam in the film. What was accurate or inaccurate? Explain.

4. Did you like the film? Why or why not?