The 1986 film Heartbreak Ridge is a nuanced exploration of military culture, one that resonated deeply with this writer, an unlikely ROTC cadet who would soon become an unlikely second lieutenant. When Platoon was released at the end of 1986, I was in college, and the level of excitement was immense. However, it was Heartbreak Ridge that spoke to me, with its depiction of garrison life and the day-to-day assignments of Marines.
The film, directed by Clint Eastwood from a script by James Carabatsos, who fought in Vietnam at the same time as Oliver Stone, shines a light on a path out of the darkness for the American military. Eastwood's character, Gunnery Sergeant Tom Highway, is a tough but fair Marine sergeant who is trying to win back his ex-wife by becoming a sensitive, communicative modern man. Through his character, the movie provides a quintessential portrait of garrison living, from the way he trolls the troops with his unpredictable choice of T-shirt for the morning run to his joining in the endless fraternal infighting that means your worst enemy isn't the Russians or the Chinese, it's Delta Company or Second Battalion or what have you.
The American Military's Rebound
The late 1960s and 1970s were a time of low morale in the military, with rampant drug use and bad behavior. However, the 1983 invasion of Grenada marked a turning point, with the military successfully rescuing 600 American medical students from St. George's University. This event, dramatized in Heartbreak Ridge, was a small but crucial confidence-building measure, showing that the American military could do good things, punish evil, and ward off disaster. Under the leadership of Ronald Reagan, America was beginning to regain its confidence, and the military was no exception.
Heartbreak Ridge is a film that offers a gritty portrayal of military life, one that is both disarming and audacious. It is a testament to the enduring power of the human spirit, and the ability of the military to adapt and overcome even the most daunting challenges. As a film critic and columnist for the Wall Street Journal, I believe that Heartbreak Ridge is a film that deserves to be celebrated, and its portrayal of military life is one that will resonate with audiences for years to come.