(Triangle, VA) - “Full Metal Modine,” is a photographic exhibition of images captured by the actor Matthew Modine during the filming of “Full Metal Jacket” and will be on display at the National Museum of the Marine Corps March 2, 2024, through September 2025. This temporary exhibition is a glimpse into the making of a war film that is often said to transcend time while also giving the viewer an inside look at the brilliance of the film’s director, Stanley Kubrick.

The exhibition includes dozens of images captured during the filming of the movie and printed on metal. Modine, who played war correspondent Pvt Joker in the movie, captured the black-and-white images on a Rolleiflex camera given to him by a friend. While Kubrick seldom allowed photography onset, his response upon seeing Modine with the Rolleiflex was “Listen, if you’re going to take pictures on my set, this is the camera you need to get….,” according to Modine.

“He told me about a state-of-the-art 35mm camera and which lens I should get. He even told me what kind of camera bag to purchase. The important part of this story is that he said, 'If you’re going to take pictures on my set.’ That was something unheard of. And I took full advantage of that invitation,” Modine said in an earlier interview.

Modine felt keeping a photographic and written diary would be a beneficial opportunity for his preparation as a war correspondent in the film. Now the images mean even more to him. "I can look back at those days as being part of another person's life, this young kid who went on a journey to work with the legendary filmmaker, Stanley Kubrick,” Modine said.

While “Full Metal Jacket” doesn’t necessarily reflect Marine Corps values, it nonetheless inspired some to join the Corps and has become a cult classic. It is a Vietnam War/controversy-inspired fictional movie, not a documentary. The film is representative of the challenging, somewhat spiritual, and often personally conflicting journey associated with becoming a Marine and serving in the Marines, specifically in combat.

Modine made the images available to the Museum for display and the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation graciously paid to have them printed on metal and framed. This exhibition is a rare opportunity to see film making and the Corps through a different lens.

About the National Museum of the Marine Corps

The Museum is a public-private partnership between the U.S. Marine Corps and the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation. The National Museum of the Marine Corps, under the command of Marine Corps University, preserves and exhibits the material history of the U.S. Marine Corps; honors the commitment, accomplishments, and sacrifices of Marines; supports recruitment, training, education, and retention of Marines; and provides the public with a readily-accessible platform for the exploration of Marine Corps history.

Located at 1775 Semper Fidelis Way in Triangle, VA.

The museum is open daily (except Thanksgiving and Christmas days), from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Admission and parking are free. For more information, call 703-784-6107 or visit on the web at www.usmcmuseum.com.