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 Wilocek
Teresa Wright	...	Ellen
Everett Sloane	...	Dr. Brock
Jack Webb	...	Norm Butler
Richard Erdman	...	Leo Doolin
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 | death | muscular man | 

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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

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the early part of the film, inside the hospital ward, a paraplegic solider is reading Superman comic book, #62. #62: Black Magic on Mars (January/February 1950) involves a plot line with Orson Welles and his famous radio broadcast, "War of the Worlds" about Martian invasion of America. Welles may have been promoting his new film, Black Magic (1949). Harry Gerstad, Gustaf Norin, Jean Speak, and Clem Beauchamp, production staff for many of Kramer's films, would later work for the 1950s television series, Adventures of Superman (1952).

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Goofs

All throughout the scene of Ken and Ellen at the table in the restaurant, there are many editing continuity problems with the position of Ken's hand and the position of the menus.

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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 From the Journals of Jean Seberg (1995)

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Soundtracks

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

User Reviews

Brando's first (and one of his best?)

"The Men" probably seemed very daring at the time of its release, and indeed Brando's performance and some of the supporting ones have lasted well and hardly dated at all. The film gives some idea of the horrific aftermath of war and its effects on the 'heroes' it disfigures. Teresa Wright plays Brando's girlfriend with some sensitivity and Everett Sloane gives a good performance as the doctor. Of the other actors playing paraplegics, Jack Webb deserves a mention. This is an interesting film which raises a lot of issues not previously faced that much on screen.

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

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$5,995

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