Hollywoodcanteen1945

(2013-06-07 05:07:32)

Pretty Good After All

Just watched the video. Chad Everett is in his prime as Jack Connell, amarine officer who has won the Congressional Medal of Honor. This filmwas made shortly before Viet-Nam exploded into all-out war. a gung-hotale of a once fearless marine who comes to realize that one's lifebelongs to themselves as well as those with whom they love. Greatacting, realistic action scenes, and an impressive performance by GeneHackman. Sort of strange how in 1967 Chad Everett was being groomedfor"super stardom" and Gene Hackman received 6th billing. Turns outthat Hackman would shortly become a mega superstar with Bonnie & Clydeand The French Connection, while Everett's film career was reduced to"B" movies; stardom was his on television however.

frankfob

(2013-06-06 19:23:37)

Actually, better than you'd think

Chad Everett is a Marine who survives a brutal Japanese attack on hisunit, and because of his heroism is sent Stateside on a morale-buildingtour, where he falls for the beautiful woman assigned as his guide.This film is actually better than it sounds; Everett is quite effectiveas the Marine who didn't think much about his own mortality while incombat, but begins to realize that circumstances are entirely differentnow that he has a wife to worry about. The supporting performances aregenerally competent, though Marilyn Devin's inexperience as an actressis obvious in her role as Everett's new wife (she later left theindustry and became a newscaster). Gene Hackman and James Best arequite good as two of Everett's fellow Marine combat veterans. Thebattle scenes are well done, the story moves along at a good clip,though it does lag in spots, and overall it's one of director Christian("The Thing") Nyby's better efforts.

Ralph

(2013-06-05 22:38:38)

Decent, Throwback War Drama for 1967

I watched this on TCM, they played it for Memorial Day 2012, I hadnever heard of it but when I saw Chad Everett it seemed different sowas interested. The beginning battle scene is straight out of manyfilms before, it would seem, but especially reminded me of the battlescene in Pride of the Marines with John Garfield. Not that it was bad,it just seemed like a verbatim copy of it to a point. The movie thengoes into a love affair part which I always hated before but this onehad some realism to it and reminded me of questions in my own life andwith todays never ending wars I have had the option as a reservist togo back to a war zone and these issues are address in this film withChad's fiancé and then wife. I thought that was pretty interesting andI normally hate the domestic relationship parts in these war films.Which brings me to what I now started thinking of this film, it wasmade in 1967 but sure did seem that it was made in 1957 or 55 or even52. I'm guessing like others have said that this was made solely to bea B movie/ drive in fare. It's target audience being the Marine Corps,and the South. I believe Gomer Pyle USMC was the number one TV showthat year so this was made to cash in on that audience somewhat, IMHO.The final battle scenes seemed rushed and unrealistic in Chad's suddenchange of heart but I guess they thought the film needed something, itreally didn't they should have just left the good chance of death beenough tension for the audience and then when it gets all solved itreally reveled itself as just a B movie action flick. Chad did a goodjob and showed a wide range of emotions I liked him, Gene Hackman waswasted here especially with the drama of having a coward officer abovehim, he was not the Gene Hackman you and I know. Claude Akins has majorbilling but has a very bit part as a Major at the CP, no drama went onthere. Dean Jagger does a convincing Marine Colonel, and William Conradadds his distinctive voice as a narrator. The combat hardware seemedreal enough for the period. It was probably post WW2 hardware butunlike a film like Battle Of The Bulge where the Germans are usingPershing tanks as Tigers and it's distracting, since I am not familiarwith Pacific WW2 hardware it looks realistic enough and the stockfootage was in color and blended in OK. All in all, I was entertainedenough but this wont go down as any Sands Of Iwo Jima best of film. Igive it a 6 of 10 as far as B movie war dramas go.

alfjhnsn

(2013-06-05 13:23:47)

I was in this movie

I was stationed at Camp Pendleton at the time this movie was made, andwas very fortunate to be picked as an extra in the movie. It was a veryrewarding experience. I have been looking for a copy of the movie eversince, and was glad to find it here. Being a Marine at the time andbeing part of this movie was one of the high lights of my life.,because of the circumstances, I have to rate the movie a 10, but if Iam totally honest it was probably more like an 8. I would really liketo know how I can get a list of the extras, as most of them were lostin Viet Nam. For that reason alone I would like a list of the extras asmost of the extras were friends of mine lost in another war fought bybrave Marines who deserve credit for an endeavor of peace, at a time ofwar...SIMPER FI

nek3387

(2013-05-26 01:15:20)

Some scenes were filmed at 2d Infantry Training Regiment, Camp Pendleton

I've always had a warm spot in my heart for this "B" movie because Iwatchedsome of it being made and some scenes were shot immediately in front ofthequonset hut in which I lived at that time, at the Second Infantry TrainingRegiment, San Onofre area, Camp Pendleton, where I was stationed in thetraining section. It was pretty neat to watch and is the only movie I'veever seen "made" and I had the pleasure of driving Chad Everett and DeanJagger around in a Jeep for two or three days. (Some other lucky Marinegotto drive the heroine!) I got Chad Everett's autograph, but way back thenhewasn't as famous as he would be later.The movie itself is pretty good - but I'm favorably prejudiced toward anyUSMC movie!

(2013-05-25 10:16:00)

Semper Fi

This review is from: First To Fight (DVD) This was an ok movie, but it wasn't great. I got the impression that the main character in this movie was based on US Marine Sgt John Basilone, who won the USCMH at Guadacanel. It was obvious in some scenes, that it was the late 1960's due to the decor, hairstyles etc.

(2013-05-23 06:45:03)

Saw this in my teens

I saw this movie at a drive-in movie theater when I was a sophomore in high school. I thought it very exciting then. I wonder if it was loosely based on the life of Sergeant John Basilone who won the medal of honor at Guadalcanal, went home, married, returned to the fight and died at Iwo Jima. When I saw it, it was the end of the golden age of war movies as, with all the Viet Nam war portests, Hollywood turned to more touchy-feely subject matter. I would not term it a classic but it does have some excellent action scenes, particularly the one on Guadalcanal.

(2013-05-22 22:43:53)

Great movie with all the drama and action one can ask for

I saw this movie as a kid when it first came out in 1967. My father letme use his automobile to go to the local drive in theater to see thismovie. I was quite impressed with it as a young lad and join the MarineCorps six months later. This movie has a lot of sentimental value forme. But, I'm a little confused as to why it cost so much at $49.00 andchange on VHS. Can anyone give me some insight as to why this movie isso valuable? I want to purchase this movie but not at the currentasking price.ThanksClaude W. Butler

(2013-03-31 18:52:31)

Disappointed !

I was hoping this movie would have more grit and substance but was very unhappy to see that it was a weak production with many flaws and long tedious sequences that had absolutely nothing to do with combat...A definate "thumbs down" affair...

(2013-03-31 12:20:58)

Not your normal Marine movie

This review is from: First To Fight (DVD) Excellent portrayals by Chad Everette and Dean Jaegger as Marines in the early years of WWII. Gene Hackman also does a superb job as Everette's Platoon Sergeant and later his conscience. Everette plays a Marine sergeant having to deal with the fame that went along with winning the Medal of Honor at a time when heroes were thought to be in short supply to the people back home. Everette flys home to a heroes welcome but finds he misses the comeraderie, the bonding of men in danger. A fateful event sends him back into combat where reality sets in. While you can still see the "support the military" attitude in the movie making, there is a sincere and legitimate effort to present a realistic approach to how men deal with fear in combat and the consequences of the choices men in these situations make. A first rate film with some historical connections - the stories of Mitchel Paige, John Basilone, and Al Schmidt all resemble portions of the film. All were Machine Gunners, and Paige and Basilone won the Medal of Honor on Guadalcanal. Both Basilone and Paige received battlefield commissions and returned to combat. Schmidt was too badly wounded to continue service and was awarded the Navy Cross. Marines will love it while no doubt recognizing some tactical mistakes. The general public will be surprised to see an honest portrayal of fear in combat for a film from this era. Moderately melodramatic, it is still one of the better portrayals of Marines in combat during WWII. I give it two thumbs up.

(2013-03-28 01:39:17)

Not bad for a war movie

This review is from: First To Fight (DVD) I bought this DVD to add to my collection of Chad Everett memorabilia, and not being a fan of war movies I was not expecting anything great nor was I expecting anything really bad. The DVD was good in both sound and picture quality considering its age, but I must admit to being quite surprised by the depth of acting. Chad Everett played a very good part in this movie along with Gene Hackman, their early careers obvious testament to the work they would produce later in their lives. On the whole a good story, with just the right intensity and build up of drama. Chad Everett's character with the help of Gene Hackman, came to terms with the realities of war and his place in it, overall bringing the movie to it's dramatic conclusion.Overall, not bad for a war movie !

(2013-03-27 16:18:54)

First to Fight

As a former Marine I enjoyed the action drama of combat. The island hopping campaigns of the U.S. Marines during World War II were inspirational to me. Chad Everett played a very good part in this movie along with Gene Hackman. A must see movie for all Marines.