Years before would earn his fame as a supernatural investigator, McGavin played Gunnery Sgt. Thomas Drake, a tough-as-nails drill instructor trying to mold a group of draftees into a fighting unit. Much to his disgust, one of the new boots is Adrian (Jan Michael Vincent), a former hippie. But this movie isn't a psychedelic Gomer Pyle; both Adrian and Sgt. Drake are portrayed as real human beings. It's no suprise this movie took home a few awards.
While most of the other draftees are buckling under the tough conditions of boot camp, Adrian quickly figures out the game and flows with the pressure. He even teaches the other members of his unit how to use meditation to promote endurance. Although Sgt. Drake is initially apalled by what he sees in Adrian, he comes to understand him. But all the understanding in the world won't help when Adrian realizes where the training is taking him.
There are plenty of powerful scenes here. The title comes from a confrontation between Sgt. Drake and Adrian where the former hippie tells the DI that they are from "different tribes".
The credits list a marine as technical advisor which probably accounts for the level of reality.
A good movie from the dawn of the 70's.
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