- Overview
Intercutting dramatic vignettes with newsreel footage, the story follows the characters from an infantry squad as they make their way from Sicily to Germany during the end of World War II.
- Release Date
22 November 1963
- DirectingCarl Foreman
- Budget
$0.00
- Revenue
$0.00
- Stars
Videos
User Reviews
See moreCinemaSerf
16 April 2022
Interspersed with some newsreel footage from WWII, this story depicts the story of an American unit fighting their way through Europe. "Capt. Chase" (George Peppard), his friend "Cpl. Trower" (George Hamilton) and savvy sergeant "Joe" (Eli Wallach) face just about every hazard as we start shortly after they land in Sicily and end up (well some of them do) in Berlin. The combat elements of the film are unremarkable, to be honest, but what is striking here is the roles of the women. Starting with a super effort from the emotionally ravaged French lady whose home they must commandeer (Jean Moreau), then the clever and manipulative club owner "Magda" (Melina Mercouri) and finally "Helga" (Elke Summer) and "Trudi" (Senta Berger) who must make the most from the occupying powers in Berlin. It is their perspectives that make this a bit different and that contribute most to the humanity of this all but 3 hour marathon. At times it has an episodic feel to it, which I found disjointed the narrative a bit, and unfortunately the main casting - especially the really weak Hamilton, but with the exception of the on-form Wallach, just let the side down. There is far too much ponderous dialogue and Carl Foreman struggles at times to keep this frequently rambling drama engaging. It has a very strong supporting cast, and there are some nice touches now and again from the likes of Mervyn Johns and Romy Schneider to help it along, and give us a breather from the intensity of the wartime imagery. It is not a bad film this, but there is just too much chaff amongst the wheat.
More Like This
Shanghai Express
A beautiful temptress re-kindles an old romance while trying to escape her past during a tension-packed train journey.
See more
Antonia's Line
After World War II, Antonia and her daughter, Danielle, go back to their Dutch hometown, where Antonia's late mother has bestowed a small farm upon...
See more
The Best Years of Our Lives
It's the hope that sustains the spirit of every GI: the dream of the day when he will finally return home. For three WWII veterans, the day has...
See more
Broken Blossoms
The love story of an abused English girl and a Chinese Buddhist in a time when London was a brutal and harsh place to live.
See more
The Great Dictator
Dictator Adenoid Hynkel tries to expand his empire while a poor Jewish barber tries to avoid persecution from Hynkel's regime.
See more
The Great Love
The attractive Oberleutnant Paul Wendlandt is stationed in North Africa as a fighter pilot. While in Berlin to deliver a report he is given a day's...
See more
Paths of Glory
A commanding officer defends three scapegoats on trial for a failed offensive that occurred within the French Army in 1916.
See more
Seven Years in Tibet
Austrian mountaineer Heinrich Harrer journeys to the Himalayas without his family to head an expedition in 1939. But when World War II breaks out...
See more
Sophie Scholl: The Final Days
In 1943, as Hitler continues to wage war across Europe, a group of college students mount an underground resistance movement in Munich. Dedicated...
See more
Beyond the Line of Duty
This short film in support of the war effort focuses on the training and missions of Army Air Corps Captain Hewitt T. Wheless just after the U.S...
See more
In the Bedroom
Summertime on the coast of Maine, "In the Bedroom" centers on the inner dynamics of a family in transition. Matt Fowler is a doctor practicing in...
See more
Days of Glory
1943. They have never stepped foot on French soil but because France was at war, Said, Abdelkader, Messaoud and Yassir enlist in the French Army...
See more
Transit
A group of American pilots from Alaska ferry Airacobra fighter planes across the ocean on Lend-lease. The orderly course of life is disrupted when...
See more
Infinity
Story of the early life of genius and Nobel Prize-winning physicist Richard Feynman.
See more
Service with the Colors
Service with the Colors is a 1940 American short drama film directed by B. Reeves Eason. This drama is "dedicated to the soldiers of the United...
See more
Hollywood Spies
During the 1930s anti-Semitism was rampant not only in Germany but also in America. There was a German American Bund and pro-Nazi rallies even...
See more
6 Little Jungle Boys
A short animated War Office commissioned health education film, showing the fate of each of the 6 jungle soldiers.
See more
Full Metal Jacket
A pragmatic U.S. Marine observes the dehumanizing effects the U.S.-Vietnam War has on his fellow recruits from their brutal boot camp training to...
See more