The Red Badge of Courage (1951) 7.2
Truncated adaptation of Stephen Crane's novel about a Civil War Union soldier who stuggles to find the courage to fight in the heat of battle. Director:John Huston |
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The Red Badge of Courage (1951) 7.2
Truncated adaptation of Stephen Crane's novel about a Civil War Union soldier who stuggles to find the courage to fight in the heat of battle. Director:John Huston |
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| Complete credited cast: | |||
| Audie Murphy | ... |
The Youth
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Bill Mauldin | ... |
The Loud Soldier
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| Douglas Dick | ... |
The Lieutenant
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| Royal Dano | ... |
The Tattered Man
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John Dierkes | ... |
The Tall Soldier
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Arthur Hunnicutt | ... |
Bill Porter
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Tim Durant | ... |
The General
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| Andy Devine | ... |
The Cheery Soldier
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| Robert Easton | ... |
Thompson
(as Robert Easton Burke)
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Plot centers around how a young recruit (Audie Murphy) faces the horrors of war. Character vascilates between wanting to fight and doubting his own courage. In midst of first bloody encounter, Youth runs away. After seeing dead and wounded, sense of shame leads him back to his unit, where he distinguishes himself in the next battle. Having overcome his fear of "the great Death" he knows e can face whatever comes. Somewhat sentimental "coming of age" tale was pet project of John Huston, who fought MGM over casting of Murphy and Bill Mauldin in lead roles. Written by Rita Richardson
John Huston's camera and sense of drama and tension make this one of the best soldier's-eye movies ever made. You really get a feel for the confusion Civil War recruits must have experienced - not during battle, but before and after, when orders appear to be arbitrary and nothing is ever explained.
The cast is wonderful, including many who show up for less than 30 seconds, giving their all for their roles - Audie Murphy never had it so good with this material and backdrop. A truly literate action movie that has a soul and a vision.