The Men (1950)

A paralyzed war vet tries to adjust to the world without the use of his limbs.

Director:

Fred Zinnemann

Writers:

Carl Foreman (story), Carl Foreman (screenplay)

Stars:

Marlon Brando, Teresa Wright, Everett Sloane

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 3 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Marlon Brando	...	Ken
Teresa Wright	...	Ellen
Everett Sloane	...	Dr. Brock
Jack Webb	...	Norm
Richard Erdman	...	Leo
Arthur Jurado	...	Angel
Virginia Farmer	...	Nurse Robbins
Dorothy Tree	...	Ellen's Mother
Howard St. John	...	Ellen's Father
Nita Hunter	...	Dolores
Patricia Joiner	...	Laverne
John 'Skins' Miller	...	Mr. Doolin (as John Miller)
Cliff Clark	...	Dr. Kameran
Ray Teal	...	Man at Bar
Margarita Martín	...	Angel's Mother (as Marguerite Martin)

Storyline

Ex-GI Ken who as a result of a war wound is paralyzed below the waist. In the hospital back home, he passes through an initial period of depression with the help of a sympathetic Dr. Brock and his faithful fiancée Ellen. Ken's bitter isolation is also overcome with the help of his fellow patients, especially the intelligent young cynic Norm, the witty Leo and serious young Angel. Soon Ken throws himself into the work rehabilitation and after a long period of physical therapy even suspects he may regain the use of his limbs. With the approval and help of the doctor, he and Ellen marry, but on their wedding night both have misgivings about the marriage: the full realization of Ellen's new responsibilities frighten her and makes her more uncertain than ever, and Ken reverts to self-pity. There is a violent argument, and he goes back to the hospital. But his blazing anger finds no sympathy from his buddies, and after a surprising conversation with Dr. Brock, Ken realizes that he must ...

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Plot Keywords:

world war two veteran | paraplegic | cigar smoking | hospital | doctor | 

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Taglines:

A completely new experience between men and women.

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Passed

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

25 August 1950 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Courage of Man

Filming Locations:

John Ford Ranch, San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Gross USA:

$7,100,000, 31 December 1950

Company Credits

Production Co:

Stanley Kramer Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This film features the first public games of the Paralyzed Veterans Association's water polo and wheelchair basketball team members.

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Goofs

In Dr. Brock's room, when Ken begins to talk to him, Brock's right hand changes between shots.

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Quotes

Ellen's father: If he loves you as much you love him, he'll make you go.
Ellen: You've been so clever, so logical, I've never knew that you handled words so well.
Ellen's father: That's not an answer, Elly.
Ellen: You weren't quite so logical a few years ago when we needed some boys to ground and get killed or paralyzed.

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Connections

Featured in Brando (2007)

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Soundtracks

Waltz in B Flat Major
(uncredited)
Music by Frédéric Chopin
Played on radio

User Reviews

Early Brando Classic Masterpiece

This 1950 film had a triple threat in bringing it to the screen. There was Stanley Kramer producing, Carl Foreman writing and Fred Zinneman directing. Mr. Zinneman also distinguished himself as a director with the likes of FROM HERE TO ETERNITY, THE SEARCH, MAN FOR ALL SEASONS and THE NUN'S STORY. The film is also under the title of BATTLE STRIPE.

It marked the introduction of Marlon Brando to the movie goers fresh from his Broadway success as Stanley Kolowski in STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE, which he also brought to film. And what a debut this dynamic actor made in the world of film and acting. It was the time of James Dean, Montgomery Clift and Brando.

Brando plays a war veteran, paralyzed in combat, facing the torturous ordeal of rehabilitation as a paraplegic. He is thorough and totally convincing in the role. Playing his fiance and eventually his wife is the lovely Theresa Wright, in another heartwarming performance that is expected of her. She works well with Brando, which, I'm sure, was no easy task.

In supporting roles, outstanding were Jack Webb and Richard Erdman as fellow veterans. Webb was excellent and far from his DRAGNET persona. I also liked Everett Sloan as the doctor who had to deal with watching "the men" face the reality of the world as it was. Arthur Jurado plays a young veteran that works hard to bring himself back to normalacy, whatever that is. There were 45 Men of Birmingham Veteran's Hospital playing themselves.

An excellent picture of it's time. And Brando's film legend beginning. A time when he was in top form with such films as STREETCAR, VIVA ZAPATA and THE WILD ONE that soon followed.