(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.