Tag: War

“Until They Sail” (1957) starring Jean Simmons, Joan Fontaine, Paul Newman, & Piper Laurie

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The genuine tugs at the heart are few and far between in this bittersweet but basically restrained chronicle. Robert Anderson’s adaptation… is honest and straightforward… Unfortunately there is a good deal of introspective soul-searching before this narrative arrives at its sad and happy endings. -Bosley Crowther (New York Times)

The film opens in a Christchurch, New Zealand courtroom, where testimony prompts Barbara Leslie (Jean Simmons) to flashback to the events that led to the trial. In 1939, Barbara and her sisters: Anne (Joan Fontaine), Delia (Piper Laurie), and Evelyn (Sandra Dee- just 14) live in a cottage in Christchurch. Most of the men, incl. their brother Kit and Barbara’s new husband Mark, are preparing to leave for WWII. Some time later, Delia announces her engagement to Phil “Shiner” Friskett (Wally Cassell); he is one of the city’s few remaining bachelors, though word of Kit’s death dampens the mood. Anne disapproves of the marriage, but Barbara defends Delia’s decision. Shiner is eventually drafted for war; Delia moves to Wellington to work for the navy. In 1942, several hundred U.S. Marines are shipped to New Zealand.

The film has moments of genuine tenderness and truth. -William K. Zinsser (New York Herald Tribune)

The screenplay was by Robert Anderson, based on a story by James A. Michener included in his 1951 anthology Return to Paradise. As fans of classics know, there are limits (and conventions) to the Hollywood studio system. The 1st thing you’ll need to ignore are the (wildly varied) accents of the sisters; we learn that Anne and Barbara attended school in England. The hairstyles and clothing worn by the women reflect the mid-1950s, NOT the early ’40s. There are a few scenes that come off as TOO melodramatic; others can drag on a BIT too long. However, the look of the film is lovely; it was shot in Cinemascope (or extra widescreen). The musical score by David Raksin suits the events V well.

This [pulls out a bottle of whiskey from glove compartment] is what I spend the night with… and no regrets. Oh, I get a gentlemanly hangover in the morning, but no regrets. And nobody gets hurt. -Jack explains to Barbara

U.S. servicemen married over 15,000 Australian and New Zealanders they met while stationed overseas in WWII. The War Brides Act of December 1945 required only proof of marriage to ensure legal migration to the US. Some modern sources est. the total war bride migration was one of the largest migrations to the country since the 1920s. Paul Newman (before fame; 3rd billed) accepted a supporting role only b/c Robert Wise was directing. I heard about this movie (via a Facebook post); I’d recommend it esp. to fans of Newman and Simmons. You can rent it on VOD; I saw it last week.

Newman plays Capt. Jack Harding, an alcohol-dependent/cynical/divorced Marine investigating prospective brides of soldiers. From the choices that Newman makes, you can see that acting is becoming more subtle in this time. As Barbara, Simmons is caring and empathetic to her sisters; she’s trying to live a “decent” life. One astute viewer noted that modern viewers (who’ve recently lived through the COVID-19 pandemic) may esp. relate to the loneliness experienced by the sisters in this movie. As Barbara tells Jack when they reconnect, her countrymen have been gone 3 yrs so far (1939-1942). I esp. liked how their connection grew (so it seems gradual/natural- NOT rushed); Newman and Simmons project intense chemistry!

[1] Not the best role of any of the principal actors’ careers, but definitely worth seeing, especially if you are drawn to WWII era dramas.

[2] Jean Simmons… is the counterpart for Paul Newman, who is the point man for the American presence (and the introduction to American men). […]

…even if this movie seems to follow some ordinary romantic path, you can’t help but feel, individually, for the four women wanting to not be alone. (It has some echo of “Little Women,” to me.) That’s the reason to hang in there. It takes time to get invested in the characters and their needs. Paul Newman is very good as usual, but more restrained than you might expect. Handsome, but without some kind of edge that made him bigger than life.

-Excerpts from IMDb reviews

“The Best Years of Our Lives” (1946) starring Myrna Loy, Dana Andrews, Frederic March, Teresa Wright, Virginia Mayo, Cathy O’Donnell & Harold Russell

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Filled with all the love and warmth and joy. . .the human heart can hold! -A tagline for the film

This iconic movie (helmed by one of Hollywood’s famed/respected directors- William Wyler) centers on the re-adjustment of 3 Americans to everyday life after serving nearly 3 yrs. in WWII. Each man is from a separate age group, rank, and class, BUT quickly become close friends. Each faces a crisis which is a microcosm of the experiences of many IRL American veterans. Al Stephenson (Frederic March: 46 y.o.) returns to his wife Milly (Myrna Loy) and 2 kids: Peggy (Teresa Wright)- a nurse- and Rob- a HS student. Wyler modeled the reunion scene on his own homecoming to his wife. As a banker, Al finds it hard to reconcile his loyalties to ex-servicemen w/ doing “business as usual.” Fred Derry (Dana Andrews: 36 y.o.)- from the working class- finds it difficult to find a job, though he was decorated for heroism as a pilot. Fred can’t relate to the woman he hastily married, Marie (Virginia Mayo), before shipping out. Having lost both hands in a training accident, Homer Parrish (Harold Russell: a non-professional actor/amputee) is unsure IF his fiancee, Wilma (Cathy O’Donnell) will still love (or pity) him. This couple grew up next door to each other, yet find it hard to communicate now.

Rob: We’ve been having lectures in atomic energy at school, and Mr. McLaughlin, he’s our physics teacher, he says that we’ve reached a point where the whole human race has either got to find a way to live together, or else uhm…
Al: [with grim finality] Or else.

Wyler (a major in the Army Air Force), incorporated his own experiences into the film. He flew in B-17s in combat over Germany; later, he shot footage for documentary films. His hearing was permanently damaged when an anti-aircraft shell exploded near his plane while on a bombing raid. Wyler (often noted as “an actor’s director”) sat beneath the camera w/ a large set of headphones connected to an amplifier. The story grew out of a Time (July 1944) story re: Marines taking a train back home to New York from San Diego, and growing more quiet/nervous the closer they got. The screenplay was written by Stewart E. Sherwood (Rebecca; The Bishop’s Wife) and MacKinlay Kantor (Gun Crazy). Wyler wanted an unglamorous look; costumes came off the rack and were worn by the cast before filming and sets were built smaller than life-size. Wyler modeled (fictional) Boone City after Cincinnati; as seen by such things as the taco stand, filming was obviously in SoCal. The add further to the authenticity, the crew (props, grips, mixers, etc.) were recruited from WWII veterans.

The Best Years of Our Lives? More like the best movie of our lives! -Comment by podcaster/movie critic

Loy has top billing here, b/c she was the most famous among the cast at that time. This was a breakout role for Andrews; he gets to show his range (esp. in the last act). In one argument, Mayo (who lobbied hard for her role) bitterly comments: “I gave up the best years of my life, and what have you done?” Each actor does well, whether their role is big or just in one scene. This is one of the Oscar winners which is truly a classic you can’t miss! It’s a slice of life from the ’40s that is still relatable; you can see it w/ all ages. I was emotional watching this film, esp. in the scene btwn Homer and Wilma while he’s getting ready for bed (revealing his vulnerability). This is streaming for free, so check it out for yourself.

[1] The film epitomized both the dream and the reality of the post-war world. This intimate engagement with the psychological facts of American life gave it an almost universal audience. But, unlike contemporary and preceding “message” pictures, it was not a preachment. It showed Americans as they are, presented their problems as they themselves see them, and provided only such solutions, partial, temporary, personal, as they themselves would accept. The picture’s values are the values of the people in it.

[2] To me, watching this movie is like opening up a time capsule. I think in many ways “The Best Years of Our Lives” is probably one of the more fascinating character studies and it holds up extremely well as a look at life in the US in the mid-1940s after WWII. […]

This movie still packs a wallop and I’m very happy to read in other posts other users feeling of a movie that will definitely stand the test of time.

[3]“Best Years” has an unbelievable number of scenes that bring a tear to the eye or a lump to the throat, with only a couple of those being the result of sadness, and with most being caused by beautiful depictions of love, loyalty, pride, patriotism, or the overcoming of personal adversity.

-Excerpts from IMDb reviews

“Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1” (2024) starring Kevin Costner, Sienna Miller, & Sam Worthington

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The story of a nation unsettled. -Tagline

Hey y’all, can you believe it’s already SEPT (Fall)? Also, can y’all believe I wasted 3+ hrs. watching this Western (streaming on Max)!? It took me 2 nights to get through it last wk; I think this could be a cure for insomnia. As on viewer put it so clearly: “It felt like it belonged on TV as a miniseries in the late ’90s.” Actor/director/co-writer Kevin Costner reportedly spent a LOT of his own money to make this $100M movie. There are 2 more chapters being made; it’s NOT certain that those will get theatrical releases. I have to admit that I find Costner to be a limited actor (though I liked No Way Out and Bull Durham); I’ve also never seen his recent Paramount+ series- Yellowstone.

There a 3 or 4 separate groups (so far) that we meet in this sprawling/epic mess. The settings are several Western states in the time period of 1861-1865. The opening act is quite tense/exciting (I have to admit); Costner’s teen son (Hayes) plays a role. The 1st set of characters we meet incl. a mother, Frances Kittridge (Sienna Miller), her teen daughter Elizabeth (Georgia MacPhail), and a regiment of Union Army officers lead by Lt. Trent Gephart (Sam Worthington). I know what y’all are thinking: whoa, Worthington works outside of the Avatar franchise! The 2nd group are an Apache tribe going through division/conflict; 2 sons of a chief have differing views on how to deal w/ the White settlers (who are growing w/ each day). The 3rd grp incl. a horse trader, Hayes Ellison (Costner); he doesn’t ride into the story until 1 hr. goes by. He comes to a small mining town and meets a prostitute, Marigold (Abbey Lee), who is taking care of the baby of Ellen Harvey (Jenna Malone), while she goes on some business w/ her hubby (Michael Angarano). The 4th grp. is a wagon train heading to the (fictional) town of Horizon; these settlers are lead by Matthew Van Weyden (Luke Wilson). No, that is NOT a joke- they expect us to believe that Wilson belongs in a historical piece! There are 2 British/snobby/clueless marrieds who are objects of humor.

There are maybe 3 scenes which carry some interest, thanks to Danny Huston (a Union general), Michael Rooker (a Union officer), and Jamie Campbell Bower (a gunslinger/son of a crime family). Bower also the only actor who looks like he’s having fun w/ his baddie role. Huston seems to be a fan of Westerns; he recently played the mayor in The Dead Don’t Hurt (2023). Most of the dialogue here is SO cliched that it’d make a HS English teacher cringe. There is little to no character development, so we end up caring nothing re: the plight of these folks. Worst of all is the the editing; it is disjointed, so creates confusion in the audience! The music is TOO grand in scale for such a lame movie.

[1] Sorry, Mr. Costner, I cannot recall seeing a more disjointed 3-hr saga in my life. There’s no opportunity for character development or story continuity, and to be able to keep track of where all the characters are (some go missing without explanation) nope… You might need a spreadsheet to keep track.

[2] The US Army parts felt a little too modern. The use of the word “indigenous” just did not sound right for that time. Also we have never been shown US Army compassion from that time period before.

The playful addition of African Americans seems very modern as well. No doubt they were there, but living harmoniously with whites is hard to believe.

[3] I was particularly irritated by the inappropriate loud glorious/triumphant music played during the Indian village massacre and several more minute at the end. It really upset me they would play such music over the top of the horrific depictions of violence against innocent women and children. It was like they were celebrating it.

-Excerpts from IMDb reviews

“The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial” (1988 & 2023)

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The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial (1988) starring Eric Bogosian, Jeff Daniels, & Brad Davis

This TV movie is an adaptation (originally staged as a play) of the court-martial segment from the novel The Caine Mutiny. The play premiered at the Plymouth Theatre in NYC on January 20, 1954. The original cast included Henry Fonda (Barney Greenwald), John Hodiak (Lt. Maryk) and Lloyd Nolan (Lt. Cdr. Queeg). James Garner appeared as a member of the court; he was the understudy to Hodiak. The play ran for 415 performances, closing on January 22, 1955. I know what some of y’all are thinking: there used to be smart movies on TV!? The script is V literate and gives most of us (civilians) insight into Naval protocol, attitudes, traditions, and conflicts btwn. personalities. As one viewer commented: “we see the usual [Robert] Altman technique of a lot of side conversations that are barely heard and added noises to make the film seem more naturalistic.”

Lt. Greenwald (Eric Bogosian- a theater actor/police capt. on L&O: CI) as the defense attorney sustains ambivalence; he does a good job, exuding caged-in intensity. As the defendant, Lt. Steven Maryk (Jeff Daniels) must decide whether his lawyer is capable or unreliable. The prosecutor, Lt. Cmdr. John Challee, is played by Peter Gallagher (a theater actor; D.A. on L&O: SVU). Lt. Cmdr. Queeg (Brad Davis) may be mentally ill; I hadn’t seen Davis before (he died at age 41 in 1991). Unlike in the remake (below), ethnicity/religion is mentioned (Greenwald is Jewish).

[1] Each “author” of the Caine mutiny is a plausible bad guy who lends slightly different emphases to instigators who escape blame for what they goad others into doing.

Davis’s Queeg raises the intriguing possibility that an officer might be flat-out nutty in a way difficult for psychiatrists to detect but easy for an attorney to expose. […] I agree that the caricature of the psychiatrist is hokey.

[2] …it is taught and claustrophobic for most of the story – being set in the court-martial room (a bit of the end of the play is at the post-trial acquittal party). The results is a different telling of the story, and one relying on the audience’s own evaluation of the truth or lies of the different witnesses.

…Queeg is first taken down a peg by Greenwald (Eric Bogosian) not on issues of fitness of command, but on his honesty.

-Excerpts from IMDb reviews

The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial (2023) starring Kiefer Sutherland, Jason Clarke, & Jake Lacy

Some of y’all (cinephiles) may’ve heard re: this one, as it was the last film directed by William Friedkin (who passed away at age 86 in AUG 2023). Lance Riddick (Capt. Luther Blakely) also passed away before the movie’s release; he’s a strong screen presence and gives a fine performance. For insurance purposes, Guillermo del Toro was the back-up director. Friedkin completed filming in 14 days (wow); he was given just 15 days by the studio! This movie (which was released on VOD) has well-known faces, as well as some newcomers; I saw it 1st on a flight last Thanksgiving.

Queeg (Kiefer Sutherland) here is much older (unlike in the original play by Herman Wouk); he has a constrained way of speaking here. The defense counsel, Greenwald (Jason Clarke- a prolific Aussie character actor), hasn’t practiced law much; he is the most fleshed out character. The no-nonsense prosecutor, Challee, is played by a young/Latina woman (Monica Raymund). Maryk is played by boy-next-door actor Jake Lacy (w/ big eyes/open face); he has lately done more on streaming shows than movies. I was a BIT disappointed, as I wanted to know more re: Keefer (Lewis Pullman- son of Bill Pullman; recently seen in Top Gun: Maverick). Keefer ended up writing a novel (based on this incident); it’s revealed that he influenced Maryk’s decisions.

[1] The original Caine Mutiny was a Humphrey Bogart led movie from 1954, one that I love and sticks in my memory very well. This takes notes form that movie, but is not really a remake, just an intensified treatise on the ending with the court martial hearing drug out and the final denouncement of the young opportunist shown his comeuppance. Anyone familiar with the source material, movie or book it was based on would know this. […]

The underlying theme of The Caine Mutiny story is not “wow that guy went crazy” – it’s that well, even the best among us can crack. There is no villain, it is all perspective, and even though a wrong decision was made by Caine himself the question is were there ulterior motives involved by other people.

[2] Yes, the ending could have been lengthened and strengthened a bit to really let the viewer know, but then again, here we have a Captain that does some outlandish things, but was that enough to justify a mutiny? You have to really decide the verdict. […]

Some people may have problems with the way the Navy is portrayed in this film, in that they don’t understand that as the captain of a US Navy vessel, one is completely and ultimately responsible for every little thing that happens on or to that boat, good or bad, and that as a result, discipline, rank, and orders must be maintained…

-Excerpts from IMDb reviews

“Dune” (1984) starring Kyle MacLachlan, Francesca Annis, Patrick Stewart, Sean Young, Sting, & Dean Stockwell

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A world beyond your experience, beyond your imagination. -Tagline

A Duke’s son leads desert warriors against the galactic emperor and his father’s evil nemesis to free their desert world from the emperor’s rule. -Synopsis

I know what some of you MAY be thinking: Can I watch this movie sober? LOL… I sure did! It was an unique experience- to keep it brief/spoiler free. I’m NOT a fan of director David Lynch’s style, BUT I decided to give this a look (since a LOT of ppl were discussing Frank Herbert’s sci-fi universe in 2023). Though Paul Atreides is supposed to be an older teen, Kyle MacLachlan (looking good- no doubt) is a grown-ass man (at age 25)! Yup, back in the ’80s, aging was different (I was there). Lady Jessica is played by Francesca Annis (who was NOT yet 40); she’s a tall/elegant/theatrically-trained British actress. The other two women in the movie (Virginia Madsen and Sean Young) get V little character development. I got a big kick out of seeing (another theater actor) Patrick Stewart before ST: TNG fame; he plays the experienced warrior/mentor to Paul, Gurney Halleck. Dean Stockwell (best known to my gen for Quantum Leap and BSG) plays Dr. Yueh, a man w/ a tragic past who has a big secret. Sting (the rock star- in a bit of stunt casting) plays gleeful/young warrior/villain Feyd Rautha; he appears shirtless (or wearing V tight costumes), though his role is small.

Paul: I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will let it pass over me and through me. And when it has passed I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where it has gone, there will be nothing. Only I will remain.

In today’s media landscape, this would’ve become a limited series on streaming w/ high production values, instead of SO much plot/many characters packed into 2 hrs. 17 mins. Some of you may’ve seen the Sci-Fi channel miniseries from 2001- Dune and Children of Dune (where I 1st saw Scottish actor James McAvoy). Yup, this was a few yrs before McAvoy won the 1st BAFTA Rising Star award (2006). Lynch’s vision strongly clashed w/ what the studio had in mind, which is NOT hard to imagine. As one viewer (who saw the 3 hr. version on TV) noted: “It seems more a DeLaurentis film than a Lynch film.” The Young’uns may be put off by a repetitive soundtrack and heavy use of voice-over. Some of the acting (esp. by the villains) is laughably over-the-top. Many viewers appreciated the costumes, sets, and visual effects (which are a different category from SFX).