The D.I.

The D.I. (1957) is a black-and-white military drama film starring and directed by Jack Webb. The film was produced by Webb's production company Mark VII Limited and distributed by Warner Bros. Webb's co-star was his future wife Jackie Loughery, a former Miss USA. The film was the first screenplay written by James Lee Barrett and was based on his teleplay The Murder of a Sand Flea. Barrett had been on Parris Island as a Marine recruit in 1950. Plot Technical sergeant Jim Moore, a highly-decorated and strict drill instructor on Parris Island, is charged with Owens, a capable recruit who fails under pressure. Although he has his reputation on the line, Moore is convinced that he can make Owens into a Marine and pushes him harder, but Owens continues to falter and nearly deserts. Captain Anderson, commander of Moore's recruit training company, doubts Owens will ever make it through recruit training, but Moore defends his assessment, asking for additional time. Owens, meanwhile, has been making attempts to get discharged, convincing himself he wants to quit.