I watch most war movies that come along (save for the retched Pearl Harbor and Windtalkers, but that is another review) when I caught this on the OLD American Movie Classics several years ago.
In many ways, it was like watching a train wreck; you can't keep your eyes off of it. However, when you realize that the filming was actually done in Korea, just shortly before and just after the cease fire and
in Korea, you find yourself mesmerized.
After the credits rolled, you found out that all the characters were the actual officers and men of this squad.
What stood out was the bad acting, very stiff "readings" (if you want to call it that) but at the same time, according to the host afterward, the actors ad-libbed a great deal of their dialog.
The other thing that stood out was the weapons firing. They were using LIVE ammunition and it shows. The sound of the guns and the recoils are something that cannot be faked.
It is not the greatest of war movies, but it is noteworthy in that it was filmed during war time as a production and not a straight documentary.
In many ways, it was like watching a train wreck; you can't keep your eyes off of it. However, when you realize that the filming was actually done in Korea, just shortly before and just after the cease fire and
in Korea, you find yourself mesmerized.
After the credits rolled, you found out that all the characters were the actual officers and men of this squad.
What stood out was the bad acting, very stiff "readings" (if you want to call it that) but at the same time, according to the host afterward, the actors ad-libbed a great deal of their dialog.
The other thing that stood out was the weapons firing. They were using LIVE ammunition and it shows. The sound of the guns and the recoils are something that cannot be faked.
It is not the greatest of war movies, but it is noteworthy in that it was filmed during war time as a production and not a straight documentary.