It seems Kline was too preoccupied with framing the movie into his preconceived notions to notice that none of the “soldiers” were wearing US military uniforms. They were, in fact, private mercenaries, hired to drive the local residents off their land (so much for his respect for private property rights). There are only two characters that we know were former Marines, one of whom is the hero of the film. Maybe the amazing popularity of this movie shows that people aren’t afraid of taking a new look at things. Kneejerk reactions, right or left, are tiresome.