I remember back in the 90’s during a presentation in the marines, they opened with a scene from a movie. It was set in the late 1800’s, early 1900’s. If I remember correctly, a platoon of marines mustered into formation on the docks of a harbor. The ship they disembarked may have been a steamship. Maybe it was Tripoli? The officer called “forward march“ and marched his platoon into the city, eventually calling the platoon to “double time” and they neatly ran in formation to a palace which they proceeded to invade. They made their way into the chamber where a middle eastern sheik was. The sheik remained calm and reclined and at one point kicked one of his dead servants off his foot. The marine officer presents himself before the sheik and politely requests that the sheik be taken into custody.

The movie was in color and maybe made in the 80’s.

Anyone know what movie the clip was from?

Thanks,
Tony.

The Wind and the Lion?

quote:

Originally posted by sandmatt:
The Wind and the Lion?

first movie that came to my mind.

The Wind & the Lion- Marines march through Tangier

That was it! I kept searching for lion... something.

You guys are fast. Need something to watch next time I’m working on rifles.

Tony.

Also note that it wasn't just Marines in the landing party... The force that lands in Tangiers in the film also includes a contingent of naval infantry (so-called "bluejackets"), some of whom are manning a Colt "potato digger" machine gun. This is historically accurate for the US Navy of the late 1800s and early 1900s, with US Navy sailors being utilized as infantry landing forces and even as artillery on shore when needed. This was eventually phased out in favor of greater reliance on US Marine infantry, starting in the 1930s and onward.



Another good on-screen example of US Navy sailors as naval infantry is in the film The Sand Pebbles, set in the 1920s in China.

Steve McQueen starred in "The Sand Pebbles" (seen in the above picture), also Richard Crenna and Richard Attenborough. Only had a few muzzle flashes, but the plot was good.

flashguy

Sand Pebbles is one of my favorite movies. Might need to kick back and watch it this weekend.

quote:

Originally posted by flashguy:
Steve McQueen starred in "The Sand Pebbles" (seen in the above picture), also Richard Crenna and Richard Attenborough. Only had a few muzzle flashes, but the plot was good.

flashguy

That is a great movie all around. Richard Crenna was outstanding in that movie.

quote:

Originally posted by RogueJSK:
Also note that it wasn't just Marines in the landing party...

I’ve said it before, but it bears repeating.

Long ago an active duty Army officer (major?) who was the technical advisor for a movie defended the historical inaccuracies in a 1950s production by saying, “We’re producing entertainment, not a technical film.” Even then as a child my thought was, “You don’t seem to understand that for some of us historical accuracy is an important part of the entertainment and enjoyment we get from films like that.” Fortunately things have gotten far better in that regard in the decades since. I was not familiar with this one, and may have to watch it.

Just a coincidence, but both The Wind and the Lion and The Sand Pebbles featured Candice Bergen as the female lead, not that she contributed much more than eye candy to either movie. In TW&TL, when Steve Kanaly tells the Sultan at swordpoint, "and you Sir, are my prisoner" is one of my favorite all-time scenes. Connery's performance was also notable, especially when contrasted to his Bond performances of the same era.