The Hasty Heart (1949)

Director:

Vincent Sherman

Writers:

Ranald MacDougall (screenplay)
John Patrick (play)

Release Date:

2 December 1949 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

It's 1945, Burma, the day the war is over! For many this means they've survived and will be going home...

Plot Keywords:

Soldier | Burma | Nurse | Kilt | Scot

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 2 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

Ronald Reagan	...	Yank
Patricia Neal	...	Sister Parker
Richard Todd	...	Cpl. Lachlan 'Lachie' MacLachlan
Anthony Nicholls	...	Lieutenant Colonel Dunn
Howard Marion-Crawford	...	Tommy (as Howard Crawford)
Ralph Michael	...	Kiwi
John Sherman	...	Digger
Alfie Bass	...	Orderly (as Alfred Bass)
Orlando Martins	...	Blossom

Also Known As:

Hasty Heart (USA) (poster title)

Runtime:

102 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Certification:

USA:Approved (PCA #13890) | Australia:G

Company:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Trivia:

When Lachie asks Yank what he's going to do after the war, Yank replies that he's going back to "...a little place on the Rock River, Dixon, Illinois." This is actor Ronald Reagan's actual boyhood home.

Quotes:

[referring to his purchase of a farm back in Scotland]
Cpl. Lachlan 'Lachie' MacLachlan: I put my money to better use. It's in Scotland - in the earth.
Yank: I knew it! He's got it buried in a tin can!

Movie Connections:

Remade as The Hasty Heart (1983) (TV)

Life is so much better with goodwill and friendships ...

This is a special movie and simply one of the best dramas on film when it comes to a touching heartfelt story. As others have said, there are no gimmicks or pretensions, just a very genuine story of people doing their best under the circumstances, wanting to give friendship each in their own way, and of one who doesn't know how to accept it.

I recall seeing "The Hasty Heart" as a youngster and of course didn't understand most of it yet came away inwardly moved. It is only decades later when able to view the video that I was more totally drawn into the drama, the scenes and dialog, and could appreciate the superb performances of the actors. One can readily see how it had been a fine stage play because of such excellent dialog as the scenes unfolded. Really topnotch.

There is Richard Todd as Lachie, the recuperating soldier impatient to return home after the announcement that the war has ended. However, it's doubtful he'll be going as his time is limited due to serious health failure which he is unaware of. Others in the makeshift hospital ward are encouraged to befriend him when he is brought to settle in their midst but with mixed results because of his 'standoff-ishness'. I think Reagan is very convincing in his role as the American soldier who sees things as they are, speaks his mind, and knows how to accept life.

It's a wonderful story about the meaning of friendship and I think one other film similar to it would be "The Captive Heart" (1946) with Michael Redgrave, a very heartwarming wartime drama.

A great film in my opinion dealing with the plain, unadorned human side of life.