THE DRILL INSTRUCTOR

(director: Jack Webb; screenwriter: James Lee Barrett; cinematographer: Edward Colman; editor: Robert M. Leeds; music: David Buttolph; cast: Jack Webb(Sgt. Jim Moore), Monica Lewis (Burt), Don Dubbins (Pvt. Owens), Jackie Loughery (Annie), Lin McCarthy (Capt. Anderson), Virginia Gregg (Mrs. Owens); Runtime: 105; MPAA Rating: NR; producer: Jack Webb; Warner Bros.; 1957)

“Realistic old-school drama about a tough DI marine sergeant challenging his recruits at boot camp.”

Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz

Jack Webb (“Pete Kelly’s Blues“/”Dragnet”/”He Walked by Night“), mostly known as Sergeant Friday on television’s “Dragnet,” stars, produces and directs this realistic old-school drama about a tough DI marine sergeant challenging his recruits at boot camp. It shows the gruff DI is really on the inside a caring person, who is determined to build-up the character of an emotionally immature young man in his charge. The writer James Lee Barrett was a recruit in the USMC boot camp and therefore should know what he’s talking about when it comes to boot camp. Most cast members were real soldiers, adding to the authenticity.

Gunnery Sgt. Jim Moore (Jack Webb) is the tough bellowing Marine drill instructor at Parris Island, South Carolina, everyone fears. In the twelve weeks of training it’s his job to turn the recruits into trained Marines. Moore turns his attention on a spoiled whiner recruit, Pvt. Owens (Don Dubbins, was a former Marine who was trained on Parris Island in 1946) and aims to get him qualified as a Marine.

The DI’s shop girl romantic interest was played by Jackie Loughery, crowned the first Miss USA in 1952.Webb married her about a year after The D.I. was released.

REVIEWED ON 10/30/2014 GRADE: B-    https://dennisschwartzreviews.com/