``Full Metal Jacket'' How is Kubrick's laboratory ``modification of humans through words'' carried out? ※spoiler alert

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2018.04.19Tetsuya Inagaki

What do “My Fair Lady” and “Full Metal Jacket” have in common?

The recruits are given nicknames such as ``Joker,'' ``Cowboy,'' and ``Pile,'' without Hartman calling them by their real names. Their value as human beings is completely denied, and they are not even called by the names that secure their identity. Additionally, recruits are basically only allowed to use two words: ``Sir yes sir.'' and ``Sir no sir.'' The words that people speak become embodied in their bodies, and their personalities change as well.

There are works that deal with the same theme. `` My Fair Lady '' (1964) starring Audrey. Eliza, a humble flower seller from downtown, is taught the language of the upper class by Professor Higgins, a linguist. She could only speak Cockney, a vulgar down town language, and at first she had a rough personality and lacked delicacy, but as she learned the language of the upper class, her personality became gentler and eventually he taught her the language. She transforms into a lady that even Higgins falls in love with. Words that are deeply embodied change even your personality and change the way others see you. That is the "cursed power of words." And of course, the magical power of words can easily lead humans into the abyss of madness.

Just as the demon Mephisto Herres used words to seduce Professor Faust, Hartman also modifies humans with words alone. In fact, in ``Full Metal Jacket,'' the demon instructor rarely uses physical violence against the recruits. He continues to inflict creative verbal abuse on the recruits. Pyle, a new recruit with poor tact and poor motor skills, is noticed and teased, but he does not receive much corporal punishment. They are forced to toddle around like babies and are denied their individuality as adults. And in order to cope with the curse of words, Pyle abandons his emotions and willingly becomes a killing machine. Then a certain change appears in him. You will be able to name your gun and talk to it.

"That's great, Charlene."

The magical power of words spreads, inviting more curses. On the final day of training, Pyle uses his favorite gun, Charlene, to kill Hartman, who led him to madness, and then takes his own life. The magical power of words dragged a good human being into the abyss, along with the devil.

Vincent D'Onofrio, who was unknown at the time, played Pyle, a new recruit who slides into the abyss of madness. The expression of madness he shows just before his death is probably one of Kubrick's most famous performances (even surpassing Jack Nicholson's in The Shining !). The day before filming this scene, Kubrick said to him: "I'll tell you one thing: It's a very important scene. . . . It's a very important scene," D'Onofrio said. ``If it weren't for those words, I doubt how long my performance in ``Full Metal Jacket'' would have been remembered.'' Kubrick also used the ``magical power of words'' to bring out his famous acting.

*In this text, we respect the intentions of the original author and producer of the movie, and the lines and other information are published in their original/subtitled form.

References: Complete works of Kubrick/written by David Hughes

Text: Tetsuya Inagaki

TV director. My personal goal is to realize a documentary project that depicts the obsessions of manga and movie creators. Programs he has directed in the past include ``Gekiga The Godfather : The Man Who Revolutionized Manga'' (WOWOW) and ``Takeshi's Birth: Master of Oira and Asakusa'' (NHK). Currently, he is planning a documentary about a famous manga artist.

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"Full Metal Jacket"

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