Heartbreak Ridge

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Heartbreak Ridge Trivia

Marks the 1000th film to be processed in Dolby "A" Stereo.
When Clint Eastwood filmed this movie he was the mayor of Carmel, California.
The sequence involving the bulldozer is based on a real event. The officer who actually did what Eastwood portrays was John Abizaid, at the time a Captain and a Ranger Company Commander. Abizaid recently retired as the Commander In Chief of Central Command, in charge of all U.S. forces in Iraq, Afghanistan and the rest of the Middle East.
A rumor grew that the scene where the Marines call in an air strike over a commercial phone line was based on an actual event. The rumor was investigated by the US Department of Defense and proven false. In the book "Night Stalkers" by Michael Durant, published in December, 2006, a story is related where U.S. Navy Seals trapped at the Governor's House on the island call the airport terminal on local phone lines to request air support. They had known in advance that their commander would probably be located there and took a chance that someone would answer the phone. It paid off. This incident later grew into the one depicted in the movie.
Profile's nickname comes from the military's policy of physicians issuing "medical profiles" to soldiers who are injured. The profile informs their commander that they are restricted to light duty until they recover. Malingering troops who abuse this policy by exaggerating their symptoms are frequently given the derogatory nickname "Profile."
Prior to filming, Mario Van Peebles could not play the guitar, but took several quick lessons to convince Clint Eastwood that he could play the role of the wannabe rock star, Corporal "Stitch" Jones.
The Marine Corps had planned to use this film to promote its "Toys for Tots" campaign, but, upon viewing, decided not to because of the language.
The US Defense Department originally supported the film, but withdrew their backing after seeing a preview in November 1986. Nevertheless, members of the Marine Corps have vouched for the film's authenticity.
The attack by US forces on Grenada was correct, however it was the U.S. Army Rangers that took the University Medical school, Not U.S. Marines.
In-Joke: During the film, Mario Van Peebles wears a T-shirt featuring a picture of the character Sweetback from Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song. Mario played Young Sweetback in the movie, which was made by Melvin Van Peebles, Mario's father.
The battle of Heartbreak Ridge was actually fought mostly by the U.S. Army's 2nd Infantry Division. The battle became infamous, after the Division Commander ordered the 23rd Infantry Regiment and an attached French infantry battalion, to stage a disastrous frontal assault straight up Heartbreak Ridge. Sergeant Major Choozoo mentions that he and Gunny Highway later joined the Marines after leaving the Army's 23rd Infantry Regiment.
The title "Ayatollah of Rock and Rollah" is also used to describe the feudal warlord Humungus in Mad Max 2 (1981)
In the original script, Sgt. Highway was a career army officer. The U.S. Army read the script and refused to participate. The character was then changed to a Marine. The Marine Corps first cooperated, but upon viewing a first cut, quickly disowned the film.