A CLASSIC THAT ALMOST WASN’T
THROUGHOUT ITS HISTORY, Hollywood has had a symbiotic relationship with the U.S. Armed Forces. The film industry has drawn heavily from the military for authenticity, particularly the use of ships, aircraft, and other equipment—and often of actual service personnel as movie extras. The military, in turn, has benefited from Hollywood as a major public relations vehicle to place it in a positive light. Some film projects have been so promilitary, based upon Herman Wouk’s 1951 bestselling novel.
