Men in War (1957)

Director:

Anthony Mann

Writers:

Van Van Praag (novel)
Philip Yordan (screenplay) (front for Ben Maddow)

Release Date:

19 March 1957 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | War

Plot:

In Korea, on 6 September 1950, Lieutenant Benson's platoon finds itself isolated in enemy-held territory after a retreat...

Plot Keywords:

1950s | March | Jeep | Land Mine | Shot To Death

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Robert Ryan	...	Lt. Benson (2nd Platoon, Co. D)
Aldo Ray	...	Sgt. Montana (Joseph R. Willomet)
Robert Keith	...	The Colonel
Phillip Pine	...	Sgt. Riordan (radioman) (as Philip Pine)
Nehemiah Persoff	...	Sfc. Nate Lewis
Vic Morrow	...	Cpl. James Zwickley
James Edwards	...	Sgt. Killian
L.Q. Jones	...	Sgt. Davis
Scott Marlowe	...	Pvt. Meredith
Adam Kennedy	...	Pvt. Maslow
Race Gentry	...	Pvt. Haines
Walter Kelley	...	Pvt. Ackerman
Anthony Ray	...	Pvt. Penelli
Robert Normand	...	Pvt. Christensen
Michael Miller	...	Pvt. Lynch

Runtime:

102 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Certification:

Iceland:16 | USA:Approved (certificate #18283) | Finland:K-16 | West Germany:16 | Sweden:15

Filming Locations:

Bronson Caves, Bronson Canyon, Griffith Park - 4730 Crystal Springs Drive, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Security Pictures

Goofs:

Factual errors: Sgt Montana tells Lt Benson that his rank is Sergeant First Class. But the chevrons on his helmet are clearly those of a Staff Sergeant.

Quotes:

Lt. Benson: Battalion doesn't exist. Regiment doesn't exist. Command HQ doesn't exist. The U.S.A. doesn't exist... We're the only ones left to fight this war.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Dear Mr. Wonderful (1982)

An Unflinching, Stark Drama

"Men in War" makes one wish Anthony Mann had directed more war films. This is an excellent, character-driven story. It is a prime example of the mature, unflinching kind of war film that began to appear after the Korean conflict. Undeservedly neglected, this picture ranks with Lewis Milestone's "Pork Chop Hill" and Robert Aldrich's "Attack". And it is the progenitor of "Platoon" and "The Thin Red Line". with their complex characters and situations.

Every actor seems to give his best, with exceptional moments from Robert Ryan, Aldo Ray and Robert Keith, as a shell-shocked Colonel. And it is always good to see the admirable Pine, Morrow, Persoff and Edwards. The film has a stark, yet pleasing black & white look which is appropriate for the bare bones conflicts the story sets forth. Moreover, "Men in War" features a very fine score by Elmer Bernstein, utilizing an authentic Korean folk song.