The Victors (1963)

Intelligent, sprawling saga of a squad of American soldiers, following them through Europe during World War II.

Director:

Carl Foreman

Writers:

Alexander Baron (novel), Carl Foreman (written for the screen by)

Stars:

Vince Edwards, Albert Finney, George Hamilton

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Vince Edwards	...	Baker (as Vincent Edwards)
Albert Finney	...	Russian Soldier
George Hamilton	...	Trower
Melina Mercouri	...	Magda
Jeanne Moreau	...	French Woman
George Peppard	...	Cpl. Chase
Maurice Ronet	...	French Lieutenant
Rosanna Schiaffino	...	Maria
Romy Schneider	...	Regine
Elke Sommer	...	Helga
Eli Wallach	...	Sgt. Craig
Michael Callan	...	Eldridge
Peter Fonda	...	Weaver
James Mitchum	...	Grogan (as Jim Mitchum)
Senta Berger	...	Trudi

Storyline

War has no victors, only survivors. Killing destroys the killers as well as the killed; because it murders decency, self-respect and ultimately life itself. The story follows in the footsteps of a squad of young American solders from the early days of the Battle of Britain, through the fierce fighting in Italy and France, to the uneasy peace of Berlin.

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Plot Keywords:

world war two | based on novel

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Genres:

War | Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English French German Italian Russian

Release Date:

19 December 1963 (USA)

Also Known As:

Die Sieger

Filming Locations:

France

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Corporation, Open Road

Technical Specs

Runtime:

175 min

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo (Westrex Recording System) Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

"Psst! Feind hört mit" meaning "Shh! Enemy is listening" appears in a scene on a wall. Then it changes to incorrect "Psst! Feine hört mit". Then it changes to the correct first version again.

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Quotes

Sgt. Craig: To Corporal Chase in the hospital: Stupid idiot! Get outta here!

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Connections

References Little Miss Marker (1934)

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Soundtracks

"The Diplomat"
(uncredited)
Music by Charles Williams
Chappell Recorded Music Library

User Reviews

A very stirring scene.

While not your standard WWII picture The Victors is comprised of short tales about a group of American GIs who slog their way from one spot in the European theater to another. One scene I found to be very powerful. It is a scene of an American GI being executed for desertion with the films background music being a Christmas carol. I took this to be the execution of Private Eddie Slovik who was the only American executed in the Second World War for desertion. It is viewed on the screen from a distance so there are no close up shots. I would recommend this film for the purpose of that one scene alone.