MovieChat Forums > Full Metal Jacket (1987) Discussion > Didn't feel like they were in Vietnam

Didn't feel like they were in Vietnam

posted 3 years ago by JestersDead (485)
8 replies | jump to latest

I saw this in the cinema in London back in 1987, and when they went to Vietnam I remember feeling that there was something very familiar about it.

I now realise that it was largely filmed in East London, and the weird vibe I got was from the weather and the sky. It was exactly the same as the conditions I was used to seeing every day of my life. Albeit without the gunfire and tanks etc.

Also, Vietnam is a very green, tropical country. The 'Vietnam' in the movie looked like a piece of derelict London waste ground with a few palm trees placed here and there (which it was).

I guess Kubrick had his reasons.

[–] Valerian (-274) 3 years ago

He lived close to London and wanted to go home at the end of the day to his family.

[–] tonganprince (603) 3 years ago

He would not fly.

[–] Obifuntoknowme (1133) 3 years ago

Wow you must be an extremely observant person! Until I eventually read an article somewhere that the combat scenes were filmed in London I would never have guessed in my wildest dreams that this was the case. As far as I was concerned Kubrick en all travelled to Vietnam itself to make this film!

[–] pazuzu9 (384) 3 years ago

"Also, Vietnam is a very green, tropical country. The 'Vietnam' in the movie looked like a piece of derelict London waste ground with a few palm trees placed here and there (which it was)."

The Vietnam part of the movie took place during the Tet Offensive which was Urban warfare.

[–] JestersDead (485) 3 years ago

I can accept that.

My knowledge of Vietnam is based purely on war films which typically show the jungle.

[–] BourbonKing (5778) 3 years ago

While that is true, they did some landscape tracking shots that looked more Southern Englabd than tropical Vietnam. Also, the dead ass palm tree props looked obvious. I think it would have helped if the DP involved a more humid-tone pallette.

[–] [deleted] 3 years ago

During the actual battle of Hue it was cold, rainy with fog conditions. This part of the movie is actually fairly accurate.

[–] pazuzu9 (384) 3 years ago

I can understand though how people from that area are a bit put off by it. It feels a little off to me too.

Can't help but compare it to most Vietnam movies that involve a lot of jungle.

OP has a point.