This week Shout! Factory has released the latest entry in its collection of 4K Ultra HD IMAX/Giant Screen documentaries. We, The Marines gives viewers a look at the training soldiers are put through when they enlist in the Marines, from the late night arrivals of the new recruits at Paris Island, South Carolina, to officers facing the grueling conditions of The Quigley in Quantico, Virginia, to large scale combined arms exercises in Twentynine Palms, California. The film showcases the variety of training facilities across the Unites States, and looks at the many different types of training exercises the soldiers are put through in order to become a Marine.
The documentary is narrated by former Marine Gene Hackman, who exudes this sense of pride as he explains what these soldiers are going through. Throughout the documentary we also hear the thoughts and voices of some of the soldiers themselves as they describe their own experiences. If you’ve seen any of the other MacGillivray Freeman documentaries, this has a very familiar tone, blending in inspiration popular music along with the footage and narration. The music featured in this film includes “Rise Up” by Andra Day, “Fire” by Barns Courtney, “Stand By me” by Katherine Liner, and “The World’s Greatest” by Logan James.
We, The Marines also makes use of archival footage, photos and illustrations to discuss the history of the Marines and explain how and why some of these training facilities and training exercises came about—often in response to the evolution of modern warfare since the origins of the Marines in 1775. The film shows soldiers training for chemical weapon attacks; training and working with canine soldiers, which were used heavily in Vietnam; training for icy mountain warfare in Bridgeport, California at a facility that was built in 1951 to prepare soldiers for the conditions in Korea; skydiving in Miramar, California; training to escape from an upside-down submerged helicopter; and training for military and foreign aid operations in a recreation of a Middle Eastern city. The film also takes a look at some of the newer technology and vehicles used by the military, such as the Landing Craft Air Cushion vehicle (LCAC) and the Osprey V-22 aircraft.
Shout! Factory’s 4K release looks and sounds amazing. This release marks Shout! Factory’s first foray into HDR10+ technology. Unfortunately my television doesn’t support this, so I cannot speak to the quality of that new technology. However, the regular HDR10 formatted picture looks phenomenal. The picture is incredibly detailed, with bright, beautiful colors. There are so many phenomenal, breathtaking shots in this film—from the soldiers skydiving above the clouds, to training in the icy mountains of California, to the underwater escape exercise, to riding on a hovercraft across the ocean, and more. The archival footage is displayed in a small square on the screen rather than stretching to to try to fill the 4K resolution.
The Dolby Atmos soundtrack is also quite impressive. The narration is pretty much isolated to the center speaker, while the rest of the channels are utilized to envelop the viewer in the on-screen atmosphere. As the film opens in total darkness, you are surrounded by the sounds of a future Marine moving about his home, making breakfast, and preparing to head off to basic training—the scene comes to life even without any visuals. Then the audio track is filled with the screaming of drill sergeants, the roar of military aircraft, the rumble of explosions and gunfire, and more, as well as the film’s uplifting musical soundtrack.
As for bonus materials, the release includes a trailer for the film, trailers for other 4K releases, and 22 minutes of additional behind-the-scenes footage and interviews. This bonus footage is cut together in a way that feels like a mini documentary within itself. The 4K and Blu-ray discs come packed in a standard 2-disc UHD keepcase with a cardboard slipcover. The case includes an insert with instructions on how to redeem a Digital HD copy of the film.
What’s Included:
Film: (37:53)
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4K Ultra HD:
- 2160p / Widescreen 1.78:1
- HDR10+, HDR10, and SDR
- Audio: English Dolby Atmos, English DTS-HD MA 5.1
- 1080p / Widescreen 1.78:1
- Audio: English Dolby Atmos, English Dolby Digital 5.1
- Subtitles: English SDH
- Digital HD Copy of the film.
Downloadable SD (~750MB) and HD (~4GB) digital copy of the film.
Blu-ray:
Digital HD (Redemption Deadline 12/11/2019):
Extras:
- We, The Marines Addendum: Exclusive Behind the Scenes Interviews and Footage (21:44)
Former Marine, Judge David O. Carter, provides the foundation of this featurette. As he recounts his experiences in the Marines, we see related footage of the new recruits arriving and making their calls to home, the drill instructors screaming at the new recruits, and many examples of the officers and other Marines going through various training exercises and learning to work as a unit. This is inter-cut with footage of cinematographer/creative field producer Robert Walker taking viewers into the action—on the LCAC hovercraft, in Quantico at The Quigley, witnessing an inflight refueling, on various training exercises, visiting the Arlington National Cemetery, and interviewing various Marines about their roles. There are no subtitles available on this feature. - We, The Marines Trailer (2:07)
- 4K Trailers (12:53)
A collection of trailers for other 4K IMAX/Giant Screen films—”Flight of the Butterflies”, “Humpback Whales”, “Journey To Space”, “The Last Reef”, “Rocky Mountain Express”, “Wonders of the Arctic”, “Dream Big: Engineering Our World”, and “National Parks Adventure”. These are only offered on the 4K disc.
Final Thoughts:
We, The Marines another solid MacGillivray Freeman documentary release from Shout! Factory. It provides an interesting glimpse into the varied training the Marines must go through, as well as a look into the history of this branch of the armed services. With a stellar 4K presentation and a wonderful Dolby Atmos soundtrack, the release provides a fully satisfying visual and aural experience. The discs also contain a small but entertaining selection of bonus material. If you’re already a fan of these documentaries, this release will make a great addition to your collection.