Line #17 Film/TheBoysInCompanyC


1	[[quoteright:310:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/the_boys_in_company_c_1978_movie_poster.jpg]]
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3	Before ''Film/{{Platoon}}'' and ''Film/FullMetalJacket'', there was ''The Boys in Company C''.
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5	It's a 1978 [[UsefulNotes/TheVietnamWar Vietnam War]] movie, directed and co-written by Creator/SidneyJFurie, that follows five newly-inducted [[SemperFi U.S. Marines]]--Brisbee (Creator/CraigWasson), Fazio (Michael Lembeck), Foster (James Canning), Pike (Andrew Stevens), and Washington (Stan Shaw)--as they go from basic training to combat in Vietnam.
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7	Notable for featuring Creator/RLeeErmey in his first screen role, as (what else?) a drill instructor.
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9	----
10	!!Tropes:
11	* AllForNothing: A convoy is sent to get important equipment to an army general. The convoy is ambushed and two marines die. The important equipment? [[spoiler: Luxury items for the General's birthday.]]
12	* AssholeVictim: [[spoiler: Captain Collins, along with the South Vietnamese officer that Brisbee kills]].
13	* BloodKnight: Arguably, Colonel Metcalf and by extend Captain Collins on Matcalf's orders because the Colonel wants a large body count.
14	* BodyCountCompetition: Company C is tasked with getting a higher kill count than the last Company there.
15	* DraftDodging: Brisbee tried this but was arrested by the FBI.
16	* DownerEnding: [[spoiler: Brisbee and Foster are dead. Washington and Fazio are sent back to Khe Sanh. Before the ending credits there is text that states Washington was later killed in combat. Archer is still listed as M.I.A and Fazio is in a mental hospital.]]
17	* DrillSergeantNasty: Averted with Sergeant Loyce. Despite having to be mean like any drill sergeant, he takes a liking to Washington. Loyce looks him in the eye and even removes his hat to speak man to man with him. He also helps Washington when racist recruits harass him. The fact that Loyce is played by Creator/RLeeErmey will surprise fans of [[Film/FullMetalJacket that other Vietnam War movie with Ermey as a drill sergeant]].
18	* EarnYourHappyEnding: [[spoiler: Pike]] is the only character who makes it out alive and sane.
19	* AFatherToHisMen: Lieutenant Archer, who looks out for his men and tries to keep them alive.
20	* FiveManBand
21	** The Leader: Washington
22	** The Lancer: Fazio
23	** The Smart Guy: Foster
24	** The Big Guy: Pike
25	** The Chick: Brisbee
26	* JerkWithAHeartOfGold: Washington. He's constantly pissed off and fighting with Pike over the latter's drug use, but as soon as Washington finds out that [[spoiler:Pike has a kid on the way, he [[PetTheDog gets him an instant ticket home]] by falsely claiming that Pike is suffering from brain damage]].
27	* LandMineGoesClick: At first averted as it's just Foster's camera. Played Straight when Washington actually steps on one.
28	* HeroicSacrifice: [[spoiler: Foster jumps on a grenade to save two children.]]
29	* MrFanService: The marines often appear shirtless or sometimes, naked.
30	* {{Narrator}}: Foster narrates his journal.
31	* PutOnABus: Pike is sent away after Washington says he has brain damage. [[spoiler: This is so Pike can go home and raise his son versus returning to combat.]]
32	* {{Sadist}}: Washington calls Collins this due to Collins [[spoiler: Not caring if a boy is killed for supposedly being VietCong with no evidence.]]
33	* ScaryBlackMan: Washington. In his first scene, when Loyce demands he empty his pockets, he pulls a ''switchblade''.
34	-->'''Loyce:''' JESUS! PUT THAT GODDAMN THING ON THE TABLE!
35	* SouthernFriedPrivate: Billy Ray Pike.
36	* TokenMinority: Washington is the only black character of merit.
37	* UnfriendlyFire: Washington tries this on Collins but is stopped by Archer. However [[spoiler: Brisbee kills a South Vietnamese officer before being killed by another South Vietnamese soldier.]]
38	* UsefulNotes/TheVietnamWar: Obviously.
39	* WarIsHell
40	* WouldHurtAChild: The South Vietnamese Officer who interrogates a boy Captain Collins suggests is V.C.

Context Film / TheBoysInCompanyC