The Marines are tasked with taking a Japanese island and we follow the invasion.
The film starts well with an introduction to our characters and we have flashback sequences that flesh out their characters. But then, really early on, we get the initial landing on the island with shameless crass music that blares out over the action. What a load of nonsense! I note that immediately after this sequence, when the Japanese start firing on the Americans, there is a noticeable lack of similar music. In the name of balance, we needed some rousing, pointless military oom-pah-pah to celebrate the Japanese fighting prowess as they gunned down the Yanks. Where was it, eh? So, from the beginning, this film screams PROPAGANDA. No music is needed during the fighting sequences!
As for the cast, there are the good - lieutenant Richard Widmark (Anderson), doctor Karl Malden, journalist Jack Webb as well as the eccentric sergeant Reginald Gardiner (Johnson) and his cigarette holder. There are also the bad as typified by boxer Jack Palance (Lane) and psychopath Skip Homeier (Pretty Boy). I have read one review that suggests that these two characters were in a homosexual love affair and whilst it didn't occur to me whilst watching the film, I think that this could be correct.
I must return to the dreadful music which returns at the end of the film alongside a rendition of "God save the Queen" not once but twice! What has this film got to do with "God save the Queen!". We then get a recitation of the Lord's Prayer. This is just sappy sentimental crap. I can't say I cared for anyone who died during this film yet we are expected to be emotional for them. Absolutely not.
It's an ok film to watch once but I think it does go on a little too long.
The film starts well with an introduction to our characters and we have flashback sequences that flesh out their characters. But then, really early on, we get the initial landing on the island with shameless crass music that blares out over the action. What a load of nonsense! I note that immediately after this sequence, when the Japanese start firing on the Americans, there is a noticeable lack of similar music. In the name of balance, we needed some rousing, pointless military oom-pah-pah to celebrate the Japanese fighting prowess as they gunned down the Yanks. Where was it, eh? So, from the beginning, this film screams PROPAGANDA. No music is needed during the fighting sequences!
As for the cast, there are the good - lieutenant Richard Widmark (Anderson), doctor Karl Malden, journalist Jack Webb as well as the eccentric sergeant Reginald Gardiner (Johnson) and his cigarette holder. There are also the bad as typified by boxer Jack Palance (Lane) and psychopath Skip Homeier (Pretty Boy). I have read one review that suggests that these two characters were in a homosexual love affair and whilst it didn't occur to me whilst watching the film, I think that this could be correct.
I must return to the dreadful music which returns at the end of the film alongside a rendition of "God save the Queen" not once but twice! What has this film got to do with "God save the Queen!". We then get a recitation of the Lord's Prayer. This is just sappy sentimental crap. I can't say I cared for anyone who died during this film yet we are expected to be emotional for them. Absolutely not.
It's an ok film to watch once but I think it does go on a little too long.