Full Metal Jacket (1987)
Stanley Kubrick's unflinching Vietnam War masterpiece charts the brutal transformation of men into soldiers — and the psychological cost of war.
Full Metal Jacket - Movie Information
- Original Title: Full Metal Jacket
- Release Year: 1987
- Directed by: Stanley Kubrick
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, War
- Age Rating (US): R
- Runtime: 1h 57m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English, Vietnamese
- Release Date (Theatrical): June 26, 1987 (Canada), July 10, 1987 (United States - R), September 11, 1987 (United Kingdom - 18), October 8, 1987 (Germany - 16), October 14, 1987 (France - 12), December 11, 1987 (Australia - R 18+), October 16, 1987 (Brazil - 16), April 28, 1988 (Mexico - C), October 5, 1987 (Italy), January 22, 1988 (Spain - 18), February 17, 1996 (South Korea - 18)
- Alternative Titles: Nacido para matar (CL), Nacido para matar (AR), Stanley Kubrick's Full Metal Jacket (US), Olovni kovčeg (RS), Pelny magazynek (PL), ԱմբոըաՂաՅոս մեալոնաՔան ագանՖ (AM)
- Production Companies: Natant, Stanley Kubrick Productions, Warner Bros. Pictures
- Production Countries: United Kingdom, United States of America
Full Metal Jacket - Plot
A pragmatic U.S. Marine observes the dehumanizing effects the U.S.-Vietnam War has on his fellow recruits from their brutal boot camp training to the bloody street fighting in Hue.
Full Metal Jacket - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see Kubrick's vision of war unfold:
In Vietnam, the wind doesn't blow. It sucks.
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Full Metal Jacket - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Stanley Kubrick
Main Cast
- Matthew Modine
- Adam Baldwin
- Vincent D'Onofrio
- R. Lee Ermey
- Dorian Harewood
- Kevyn Major Howard
- Arliss Howard
- Ed O'Ross
- John Terry
- Kieron Jecchinis
Writers
- Michael Herr
- Stanley Kubrick
- Gustav Hasford
Producers
- Stanley Kubrick
Full Metal Jacket - FAQs
Where can you watch Full Metal Jacket?
Full Metal Jacket is available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand, and Plex. Streaming availability may vary by region. Check JustWatch for the most up-to-date options in your area.
Is Full Metal Jacket based on a true story?
Full Metal Jacket is based on Gustav Hasford's 1979 novel 'The Short-Timers,' which drew on Hasford's own experiences as a Marine combat correspondent during the Vietnam War. While the characters are fictional, the events and atmosphere reflect real conditions of the conflict.
What is Full Metal Jacket about?
Full Metal Jacket follows a group of Marine recruits through the psychological brutality of Parris Island boot camp under Gunnery Sergeant Hartman, then shifts to the Vietnam War's Tet Offensive, where survivor Pvt. Joker confronts the moral contradictions of combat journalism and warfare in Hue City.
Who are the main actors in Full Metal Jacket?
The film stars Matthew Modine as Pvt. Joker, Vincent D'Onofrio as the troubled Pvt. Pyle, and R. Lee Ermey in his iconic role as Gunnery Sergeant Hartman. Adam Baldwin, Dorian Harewood, Arliss Howard, and Kevyn Major Howard round out the principal cast.
What is the meaning of Full Metal Jacket's two-part structure?
Kubrick deliberately split the film into two halves — boot camp and combat — to mirror the dehumanization process. The first half strips recruits of identity; the second shows the consequences in war. The duality reflects the film's central theme: the coexistence of the 'born to kill' and peace-sign insignia Joker wears.
What is the age rating for Full Metal Jacket?
Full Metal Jacket is rated R in the United States for strong language, graphic violence, and disturbing content. It carries an 18 certificate in the United Kingdom and Australia, a 16 rating in Germany and Brazil, and a 12 rating in France.
Did Full Metal Jacket win any awards?
Full Metal Jacket received an Academy Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay. R. Lee Ermey earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actor. The film is widely regarded as one of the greatest war films ever made and appears on numerous all-time best lists.
How long is Full Metal Jacket?
Full Metal Jacket has a runtime of 1 hour and 57 minutes (117 minutes). The film is divided into two distinct acts: the Parris Island boot camp sequence and the Vietnam combat sequence set during the 1968 Tet Offensive in Hue City.
More About Full Metal Jacket
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