We, The Marines IMAX film takes viewers on an action-packed adventure into the experience of becoming and serving as a member of the U.S. Marine Corps. Special screenings of this documentary will be offered at the Tennessee Aquarium IMAX 3D Theater on Veterans Day weekend - Saturday through Monday, Nov. 9-11. There will be a USMC Birthday Cake cutting ceremony after the Sunday noon showing.
Narrated by Academy Award-winning actor and former Marine, Gene Hackman, the film uses the giant screen to honor the dedication, the service and the first-hand experiences that create the indelible bonds among America’s “first responders.” The result is an inspirational and moving tribute to the lives and legacy of the men and women who honor and defend our country.
"In 1775, the Continental Navy needed sharpshooters to give their frigates an advantage over the then-superior English Navy," officials said. "It didn’t take long for an extraordinary fighting force to prove its mettle. The Continental Marines successfully executed their first amphibious landing just weeks after this new military branch was formed.
"Captain Samuel Nicholas and 234 Marines sailed to the Bahamas, where the British forces had stockpiled huge supplies of gunpowder for use against the 13 American colonies. Within minutes, the British troops were overwhelmed by the Marines. They surrendered to Nicholas, who laid claim to the gunpowder, cannons and other military supplies."
“This film needed to have a documentary-newsreel kind of immediacy, an unstaged, unpolished, raw approach, like the Marines themselves,” says Greg MacGillivray, the film’s director. “The result is less a set-up Hollywood-style film —with carefully laid-out and rehearsed shots — and more a spontaneous, immediate, organic film that comes from real-life experience.”
"Committing to the Marine Corps is not for the faint of heart," officials said. "Audiences will discover the grueling feats in boot camp that prepare Marines for the stresses of life at the front and behind enemy lines. They’ll also witness mountain training, parachute jumping, rappelling from helicopters and how K-9 units train side by side with Marines, becoming excellent four-legged soldiers.
"The Corp’s central values of honor, courage and commitment are brought to life on the giant screen. Along with tributes paid to the brave men and women who have served on the front lines in combat, Marines are just as often the first “boots on the ground” when humanitarian relief efforts are needed around the world.
Viewers will not only feel the thundering jolt of a drill instructor’s commands, they’ll also see the outpouring of love and appreciation waiting every time Marines return home from duty."
A portion of the proceeds from the Aquarium’s We, The Marines screenings — up to $5,000 — will be donated to the South East Tennessee Unit of The Young Marines, a non-profit youth education and service program for boys and girls.
“The Young Marines program was founded by the Marine Corp League as a drug prevention program. Today the Young Marines strive to instill leadership qualities in our youth through teamwork, discipline and a sense of structure while promoting a healthy, drug-free lifestyle," says Tony Baker, the unit commander of The Southeast Tennessee Area Young Marines. "We also believe in being a strong community partner and encourage our Young Marines to "give back or pay it forward" through many community service opportunities throughout the year. Also, as a Unit, our Young Marines decided to always donate a portion of our fundraising to local organizations that benefit our service personnel.
“This film shines a light on the values every Marine embodies. So it’s inspirational to our members and serves as a reminder to everyone that we owe a debt of gratitude to those who have sacrificed so much to serve our nation honorably. We’re grateful for the opportunity to partner with the Aquarium in recognition of Veterans Day.”
Special Screenings of We, The Marines at the Tennessee Aquarium IMAX Theater:
Saturday, Nov. 9, at 11 a.m., noon and 7 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 10, at noon
Monday, Nov. 11 (Veterans Day), at 11 a.m. and noon
For more information or to purchase tickets online, visit https://www.tnaqua.org/imax/we-the-marines.