Home of the Brave (1949)

During WW2, a reconnaissance platoon is sent to map out a Japanese-held island but racial tensions arise between the white soldiers and the only black member of the group.

Director:

Mark Robson

Writers:

Carl Foreman, Arthur Laurents (play)

Stars:

Jeff Corey, James Edwards, Lloyd Bridges

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Jeff Corey	...	Doctor
James Edwards	...	Private Peter Moss
Lloyd Bridges	...	Finch
Douglas Dick	...	Major Robinson
Frank Lovejoy	...	Sergeant Mingo
Steve Brodie	...	T.J. Everett
Cliff Clark	...	Colonel Baker

Storyline

A sensitive, educated black man's World War II-time problems. This is essentially the duplicate of his peace-time problems which are pointed up in a flashback of his life, and primarily of his war-time adventures with four white soldiers on a dangerous reconnaissance mission on a Japanese-held island.

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Plot Keywords:

soldier | flashback | mission | map | black man | 

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Taglines:

Never has the screen entertained with such boldness!

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Genres:

Drama | War

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 September 1949 (France)

Also Known As:

High Noon

Filming Locations:

Malibu, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$375,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$2,500,000, 31 December 1949

Company Credits

Production Co:

Stanley Kramer Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

88 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The poem recited by Sergeant Mingo (Frank Lovejoy) was 'The Coward to Edwards' (1943) by Eve Mirriam.

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Goofs

At the time of the war, the army wasn't fully integrated yet, so an African-American soldier could not serve in a Caucasian brigade.

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Quotes

Mingo: Yeah, I'll never forget the first letter I got from my wife. It started, "My darling, darling, darling, I'll never again use the word 'love' without thinking only of you." And I remember the last one I got from her. It started, "Dear T.J., this is the hardest letter I've ever had to write."

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Connections

Featured in Baadasssss! (2003)

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Soundtracks

(Sometimes I Feel Like a) Motherless Child
Traditional

User Reviews

Good period piece

To correct a previous commentary... "The Big Red One" is the 1st Infantry Division. The "Red Ball Express" was the name given to the truck convoys. My own opinions of the film: I think a movie like this needs to be appreciated within the context of the time period it was made. Considering that the country then was barely taking baby steps into the civil rights movement, the subject was handled pretty well. It sent it's message without being preachy or patronizing. A great cast also helps it make a worthwhile movie to watch. It's too bad that James Edwards died several years later while still relatively young. He might've made a real breakthrough to some leading roles.