Critics at the time gave it poor reviews, often citing lackluster directing, though some modern retrospective reviews on IMDb and Letterboxd appreciate its unique perspective on Black soldiers.
Considered an "obscure" or "elusive" film, it is difficult to find on modern streaming services but is sometimes available through specialized retailers like Movie Buffs Forever .
The film relies heavily on individual flashbacks to explore why each soldier joined the Marine Corps, detailing their lives and personal struggles before the war.
A squad of four African-American Marines—led by Sgt. Barkley ( Joe Morton ) and including a rebellious stoner ( Eddie Griffin ) and a bookish ideologue ( Allen Payne )—is joined by one AWOL white Marine for a final rescue mission.
Allen Payne, Eddie Griffin, Joe Morton, Vonte Sweet, and Bernie Mac .
It touches on social oppression, racism, and the trauma of war through an "intimate, play-like" storytelling style. Cast and Production
