i saw this movie today for the first time, so forgive my ignorance ;-)
the end of the movie, when the simple soldier takes the officers position and repeats the dead officers exact speech.
i wonder if it "inspired" the "rico's roughnecks!" scene of starship troopers ...
The movie Starship is related to the book in name only...the movie here being much better I think. Now that you mention it I think you may be right.
"What does the sign say above the nursery in a Palestinian maternity ward? 'Live ammunition.'"
I thought the same thing. I haven't seen this movie in years but when I saw 'Starship Troopers' for the first time I knew that bit reminded me of something but I wasn't sure what. There is also a scene where same soldier is given gruelling public physical punishment and his immediate solider companions have a high mortality rate, similar to Johnny Rico's. I know it's all pretty vague but I was somehow reminded of 'Starship Troopers' from time to time rewatching this recently. It is of course possible that both movies are drawing from the same well inspiration wise, not that I know the source.
Though Marco did actually get the speech slightly wrong at the end (Deliberately on the part of the makers I presume).
It would be good for you to look up French Foreign Legion.
The Legion was established all the way back in 1830. And it feels like the Legion is notorious for its worship of death and honor (aight this may be serious mis-representation so I welcome any other perspective), but all the stuff that I have known about the Legion is how it always ended up going against ridiculous odds and get its ass kicked and ended up being dead. And other folks pick up the tradition all over again
I think its fame began with the Battle of Cameron back in the old days. I believe something around 60 French Foreign Legion patrol went against the Mexican Army which had over 1000 foot soldiers and 800 calvary. The Mexican Force thought it is much larger force and the patrol bogged down the Mexican armies for a few days and remaining 6 survivors out of ammos, and etc. led a bayonet charge against the Mexican Army.
The French Legion still celebrates this on Cameron Day and the officer Danjou became a legend.
So...without further babbling.... the Starship Trooper the Movie (it should not be confused with the book) most likely took some idea from the French Foreign Legion and movies similar to this one.
My life isn't any better than yours.
I agree with this, that the battle and themes were more a homage to the battle of Camerone in Mexico 1862 (ironically the same war that gave us the Battle of Pueblo on May 5, that is now a beer-related holiday) rather than a nod to Heinlein's classic.
shareYes!
Funny enough, I watched "Starship Troopers" and "March or Die" last night (What a coincidence ) and I couldn't help but notice that Rico speaks, and even walks about, the same way as Marco at the end of "March or Die".