Big Otto Preminger movie which has mini series vibes but star power to carry it - John Wayne and Kirk Douglas up top, Burgess Meredith and Patricia Neal to the side. Brandon de Wilde isn't up to playing Wayne's son but I like that Neal is age-ish approprate for Wayne.
The movie is enjoyably adult and that women are given prominent roles. Gorgeous black and white photography and production values.
Franchot Tone looks as though he's about to drop dead. The whole subplot of Tom Tryon and Paula Prentiss could be cut out. The scene where Douglas decides to rape Jill Haworth is very powerful. Douglas is given a heroic death. Stuff him. Haworth is likeable, Neal very good.
Feels like a movie that could've been trimmed down - it didn't have to run this long. Annoying Stanley Holloway plays an Aussie coastwatcher. I guess he was coming off My Fair Lady.
I enjoyed this. Tells a story, looks great, war, sex, movie stars.
No comments:
Post a Comment