First to Fight (1967)

Jack is the sole survivor of a Japanese attack on his squad at Guadalcanal. Because of his heroism and the fact that he is still alive, he becomes a Medal of Honor hero. He returns to train... See full summary »

Director:

Christian Nyby

Writer:

Gene L. Coon

Stars:

Chad Everett, Marilyn Devin, Dean Jagger

Cast

Cast overview:
Chad Everett	...	Sgt. Jack Connell
Marilyn Devin	...	Peggy Sanford
Dean Jagger	...	Lt. Col. E.J. Baseman
Bobby Troup	...	Lt. Overman
Claude Akins	...	Capt. Mason
Gene Hackman	...	Sgt. Tweed
James Best	...	Gunnery Sgt. Ed Carnavan
Norman Alden	...	Sgt. Schmidtmer
Bobs Watson	...	Sgt. Maypole
Ken Swofford	...	O'Brien
Ray Reese	...	Hawkins
Garry Goodgion	...	Karl
Robert Austin	...	Adams
Clint Ritchie	...	Sgt. Slater
Stephen Roberts	...	Pres. Franklin D. Roosevelt

Storyline

Jack is the sole survivor of a Japanese attack on his squad at Guadalcanal. Because of his heroism and the fact that he is still alive, he becomes a Medal of Honor hero. He returns to train new recruits for the Marines and falls for a girl named Peggy. When training and marriage leave him with an empty feeling, he decides on a transfer back to the front lines. Soon he will find that marriage and life will change his outlook on the grueling battles that lie ahead.

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Plot Keywords:

medal of honor | bare chested male | world war two | sergeant | cowardice

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Taglines:

The blockbusting story of a fighting marine that comes mortar-screaming out of green hells and jungles!

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Genres:

Drama | War

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 May 1967 (UK)

Also Known As:

Chef de patrouille

Filming Locations:

Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base, Oceanside, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

During the initial night-time battle against the attacking Japanese forces (8:49),one Japanese soldier is clearly seen firing a German made Maschinenpistole MP40. No such weapons were in use with the Japanese Imperial Army during WW2.

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Connections

Referenced in Basil Poledouris: His Life and Music (1997)

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Soundtracks

"Daddy"
Music & Lyrics by Bobby Troup
Performed by Bobby Troup

User Reviews

Actually, better than you'd think

Chad Everett is a Marine who survives a brutal Japanese attack on his unit, and because of his heroism is sent Stateside on a morale-building tour, where he falls for the beautiful woman assigned as his guide. This film is actually better than it sounds; Everett is quite effective as the Marine who didn't think much about his own mortality while in combat, but begins to realize that circumstances are entirely different now that he has a wife to worry about. The supporting performances are generally competent, though Marilyn Devin's inexperience as an actress is obvious in her role as Everett's new wife (she later left the industry and became a newscaster). Gene Hackman and James Best are quite good as two of Everett's fellow Marine combat veterans. The battle scenes are well done, the story moves along at a good clip, though it does lag in spots, and overall it's one of director Christian ("The Thing") Nyby's better efforts.