Watch full movie online. THE TRUE STORY OF THE BIG RED ONE is pitting Hollywood fiction against historical fact, where we'll examine the reality behind Samuel Fuller's great war movie "The Big Red One". Based upon Fuller's own World War II experiences, the film starred Lee Marvin as the intrepid sergeant of special infantry squadron in various campaigns of the war. Learn the dramatic story of the illustrious First Division of the U.S. Army - called the Big Red One because of the red numeral "1" on its uniforms' shoulders - from it's organization in 1917 through the present day.