Released – December, 1951 

Directed By - Samuel Fuller

Starring – Richard Basehart (Cpl. Denno), Gene Evans (Sgt. Rock), Michael O’Shea (Sgt. Lonergan), Richard Hylton (Medic John Wheeler), Skip Homeier (Whitey).

Description – Exciting Korean War drama about a single platoon assigned to defend a hill in enemy territory as the rest of their regiment retreats to safety in an effort to regroup.

A typically tough and realistic Sam Fuller production that offers insight into the psychological aspects of those forced to lead what may be a doomed mission. A great deal of authenticity is added to the film through the use of U.S. Army Medal of Honor winner Raymond Harvey as technical advisor.

NOTABLE: Although uncredited, this was the first feature film appearance of James Dean.

Fixed Bayonets

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Released - December, 1951 

Directed By - Anatole Litvak

Starring – Richard Basehart (Lt. Dick Rennick), Gary Merrill (Col. Devlin), Oskar Werner (Cpl. Karl “Happy” Maurer), Hildegard Knef (Hildegard “Hilde” Neff).

Description – A terriffic World War II espionage story about the American Army’s usage of potentially unreliable German prisioners of war to help gather military intelligence near the end of the war.

Two of these German P.O.W.’s are sent to obtain crucial information regarding the remaining Germain strongholds and the units defending them. ‘Tiger,’ a former thief who’s loyalty is with whichever side appears to be winning, and ‘Happy,’ a young German idealist who volunteers for the mission after witnessing the killing of his friend by fellow prisoners.

In the world of military espionage, loyalty and sacrifice go hand-in-hand.

NOTABLE: This motion picture was nominated for two Academy Awards; Best Picture, and Best Film Editing.

The movie was shot in post-war Germany lending to the authentic look and feel of the film.

Decision Before Dawn

Heroes of War Collection – Frontline Combat (Halls of Montezuma, Decision Before Dawn, D-Day the Sixth of June, Guadalcanal Diary)

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Released – October, 1951 

Directed By - Henry Hathaway

Starring – James Mason (Field Marshall Erwin Rommel), Cedric Hardwicke (Dr. Karl Strolin), Jessica Tandy (Lucie Marie Rommel), Luther Adler (Adolph Hitler), Everett Sloane (Gen. Wilhelm Durgdorf).

Description – A film biography of German Field Marshall Rommel highlighted by a strong performance by James Mason.

Rather than just a film showcasing military exploits, this story concerns itself with Rommel’s increasing concern regarding Hitler’s wartime decision making. Growing disillusioned with Hitler’s leadership, Rommel is approached by a group who would like to remove Hitler from power and imprison him.

Refusing, Rommel decides to visit Hitler in an effort to bring him to reason. However, he is met with the ranting Hitler claiming to have new weapons that will sway the war in favor of Germany.

The situation worsens with the Allies landing in France and an attempt is made to kill Hitler by one of his own Generals. Hitler survives the plot and all those involved with its planning are caught and executed. Rommel’s friendship with some of the conspiritors finds him charged with treason.

The Desert Fox

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Released – September, 1951 

Directed By - Lloyd Bacon

Starring – Richard Widmark (Lt. Cmdr. John Lawrence), Dana Andrews (Chief Jake Flannigan), Gary Merrill (Lt. Cmdr. Pete Vincent), Jeffrey Hunter (“Pappy” Creighton).

Description – This film is based on actual U.S. frogman operations against Japanese forces during World War II. It was the first movie of its kind and became an instant hit.

After the death of their former commander, a Navy Underwater Demolition Team is put in the charge of strict disciplanarian Lt. Cmdr. John Lawrence. The men are distrustful of their new commander and matters only get worse.

Questionable decisions and what seems to be a reluctance to participate in a dangerous mission cause the men to believe their new commander may be a coward. A continued series of perilous missions places the safety of the frogman directly in the hands of Cmdr. Lawrence who turns out to be anything but what the men had feared.

NOTABLE: This film was nominated for two Oscars; Best Writing, Motion Picture Story, and Best Cinematography, Black and White.

The United States frogman forces were later to become the Navy Seals.

All female roles in the film were written out as a result of the belief that the working conditions were too “riotous” for women.

The Frogmen

Heroes of War Collection – Navy Battles (The Enemy Below, The Frogmen, Morituri, Sink the Bismarck!)

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Released – March, 1951 

Directed By - John Huston

Starring – Audie Murphy (The Youth), Bill Mauldin (The Loud Soldier), Douglas Dick (The Lieutenant), Royal Dano (The Tattered Man), John Dierkes (The Tall Soldier).

Description – Based on Stephen Crane’s classic Civil War novel this is the story of a young soldier’s introduction to battle. Audie Murphy plays the young Yankee soldier who is overcome with fear during a battle and flees.

Guilt stricken over the sight of those killed and wounded he puts his initial lack of courage behind him and returns to his unit in an effort to redeam himself.

A study of the fine line between cowardice and bravery, the film features some spectacular cavalry charges and battle scenes.

The Red Badge of Courage refers to the blood evident when injured in combat.

NOTABLE: An unfortunate box office failure, the film was caught in the middle of a power struggle between Louis B. Mayer and Dore Schary within MGM during its filming.

After a drastic amount of film editing almost ruined the picture, James Whitmore’s voice was used to add narration in an effort to help the viewing audience understand what was going on in the movie.

The Red Badge of Courage

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Released – February, 1951 

Directed By - Samuel Fuller

Starring – Gene Evans (Sgt. Zack), Robert Hutton (Pvt. Bronte), Steve Brodie (Lt. Driscoll), James Edwards (Cpl. Thompson), Richard Loo (Sgt. Tanaka), Sid Melton (Joe).

Description – Sgt. Zack is a war-hardened, lone survivor of a North Korean attack that has wiped out his entire company who now finds himself in charge of a group of American soldiers who have been seperated from their own units.

This odd group of soldiers, that include a conscientious objector, a Japanese/American, and a black medic, find themselves holed up in a Buddhist temple awaiting the enemies next move. Complicating matters is their captured North Korean Major who attempts to divide the group using one against the other.

NOTABLE: A fine low-budget war melodrama with a surprisingly modern-day view of war was, almost unbelieveably, filmed in ten days. How low-budget? A Chinese tank that attacks Sgt. Zack’s patrol is actually make of plywood.

The extras used in this film were students from UCLA who portrayed both North Korean and American soldiers.

This motion picture was the first to be based on the Korean War.

Included In Eclipse Series 5 

Eclipse Series 5 – The First Films of Samuel Fuller (The Baron of Arizona / I Shot Jesse James / The Steel Helmet) (Criterion Collection)

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Released – December, 1950 

Directed By - Lewis Milestone

Starring – Richard Widmark (Lt. Carl Anderson), Jack Palance (Pigeon Lane), Reginald Gardiner (Sgt. Randolph Johnson), Robert Wagner (Pvt. Coffman), Karl Malden (PHM2 C.E. ‘Doc’ Jones), and a lot more familiar faces.

Description – An action-packed story about a company of Marines in the South Pacific during World War II.  Led by an ex-school teacher, we follow this company of Marines from their landing on the beach, through an enemy infested jungle on a race against the clock to find a Jananese rocked site.

A realistic war movie without glorifying war.

NOTABLE: This movie provided the film debut for actor Richard Boone.

Halls of Montezuma

Heroes of War Collection – Frontline Combat (Halls of Montezuma, Decision Before Dawn, D-Day the Sixth of June, Guadalcanal Diary)

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