War has played a key role in the history of the United States, from the nation's founding

right down to the present. War made the U.S. independent, kept it together, increased its size,

and established it as a global superpower. Understanding America's wars is essential for understanding American history.

Welcome to Key Battles of American History,

a podcast in which we discuss American history

through the lens of the most important battles of America's wars.

Here is your host, James Early.

Thank you. host, James Early. Hello, and welcome back to Key Films of the Vietnam War.

I'm your host, James Early.

As always, and as always, I have my good buddy, Sean McIre with me.

And Sean and I are excited, well, maybe I shouldn't speak for you, Sean, but I'm super pumped because this week we're going to discuss another classic movie from the 80s.

This is a movie that Sean and I both love very much.

And I've been so, I've been wanting to do this for, literally for years since we started doing these movie episodes, Sean.

I am excited.

Are you excited?

I am.

This is a movie that I have seen so many times, but also watched and studied and read academic material about and read about the making of the film.

And it's by one of my, one of everybody's, any film nerds absolute favorite filmmakers.

So.

Yes, indeed.

All right.

Well, and the film, if you haven't figured it out yet, is full metal jacket from 1987.

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