Battle Stations (1956) User Reviews

Mr. Roberts wishes that he had been on this tug.

[mark.waltz · 7/10 · 12 January 2022]

An above-average Columbia programmer that came out the year after that Broadway comedy with a touch of tragedy took Hollywood by storm and became a box office hit. This one doesn't have the benefit of color or an A budget, but it is a simple down-to-earth story of what happens before an important mission during World War II against the Japanese. The story is told through the perspective of the ship's chaplain, John Lund, and through his narration you get to know each of the major players of War, some of the top: Captain Richard Boone, tough-talking drill sergeant William Bendix, and enlisted men and low ranking officers played by Claude Akins, Keefe Brasselle and young hopeful Jimmy Lydon among them. The first half of the film shows them going through their daily routines, their friendships and struggles with missing life at home, and a few power struggles. The film takes a more serious turn when they get closer to their mission, and the fast pacing keeps the audience intrigued.

William Bendix of course is a scene-stealer, but he still basically playing William Bendix, not necessarily a bad thing. Tough-talking but genuinely concerned about the recruits oh, he's that big lug with the heart of gold that you want on your side. Captain Richard Boone is also a good guy, certainly not egotistical and tyrannical like James Cagney captain in "Mister Roberts", but approachable and often thoughtful. Scenes with him and Bendix, and later with him and Lydon, shows that he is the epitome of the officer who realizes that he needs everybody on the ship, not just the experienced men. A reference to Captain Bligh highlights Boone's scene with Bendix, and later, he takes a lighthearted interest in the enthusiastic Lyndon who hasn't seemed to have aged since he played Henry Aldrich. When the mission really explodes, the film completely changes gears, but it is not at all jarring. A terrifically enjoyable War film made a decade after the war ended, but not too little too late. Quite a little sleeper and one of the surprises of 1956.

Interesting naval war movie, from WWII

[austin-12831 · 7/10 · 26 June 2022]

Yes, this is an interesting film, especially for anyone who is interested in the U. S. Navy, in action, in the Pacific, during WWII. The Japanese would almost certainly have lost, regardless of the outcome of this, or any other naval battle in the Pacific, during WWII (due to deficiencies in their system of command), but, that doesn't mean that they didn't put up a fight--and sometimes it was one helluva fight, too! This is a good, solid film about them knocking one of our carriers, out of action, late in the war (when they were already losing badly, especially due to the B-29 incendiary bombings that were starting to burn all of their major cities, to the ground). And we had plenty more carriers, by then, that they didn't knock out of action. (Who can go up against an industrial giant, that can build 24 fleet carriers, in the same time that you build one???) But, nevertheless, they are an honorable people, and nation, and they fought valiantly, sometimes fearsomely, nonetheless--often causing great Allied casualties, in the process. So, it wasn't so easy, for the U. S. to triumph (especially in the beginning of the Pacific War), and this movie is a classic example, of some of the difficulties faced by our servicemen (and women, though not so much, in this particular movie), in order to triumph, in the end. In the same vein, I also immensely enjoyed James Cagney's depictions of Admiral William "Bull" Halsey's command, during the height of the Guadalcanal campaign, in the movie, Gallant Hours. And I also enjoyed watching the 1943 movie, Guadalcanal Diary, when I was a kid, back in the 50's and 60's (which, in my opinion, featured William Bendix's most serious, and memorable role, as a young, supporting actor--in that desperate fight!) I would like to see a movie made about the actions of Admiral Willis Lee, on the battleship George Washington, during the night when it sank the pride of the Japanese Navy, the battleship Kirishima, during the last major naval engagement, fought over Guadalcanal (which was briefly mentioned in the movie Gallant Hours). Admiral Lee admitted that everything in the Japanese Navy was as good as in the U. S. Navy, except for one thing--his battleship had radar--and he knew how to use it (unlike many of our cruiser commanders, in previous engagements, which were sometimes unmitigated disasters, as a result!) That was his only advantage, that and his unexpected approach with his heretofore undetected large capital ship, in a narrow channel. The enemy wasn't expecting him, and when they did spot and begin shelling the battleship South Dakota, they weren't expecting to find a second U. S. monster, in those narrow waters, and they never saw him coming--until he was at point blank range--and opened fire! By then, it was too late...

What was unique and a comment on the prisoner work scene.

[bmcblain · 31 August 2001]

This movie was a little unique, because it had no women in it. I had a tiny part in one scene with Keefe Brasselle. The scene: prisoners on the ship painting and talking about escaping and going ashore for the last time, before the battle. Much of the movie was shot on the USS Princeton. I was an electronic Tech. aboard the ship from 1954 to 1957.

This movie would interest people who want to know more about the war and how it affected people.

Vey Moving

[Picgoer · 9/10 · 7 May 2022]

Being British I'm not familiar with the history of the ship that this film is based on, but have taken time to do a little research. Clearly many elements of the film are true to the life of USS Franklin and the men who sailed on her, even down to the orchestra.

The original film taken during the attack is very impactive and one cannot imagine the hell the men on board endured and knowing many were dying horribly.

I found the film to be actually quite understated unlike many gung ho war films and indeed it has the feel of a documentary. It was easy to become invested in the characters and to care about what would happen to them. It was obvious that aside from the professional actors the majority of those on screen were navy men, adding additional realism.

As an ensemble film it gives opportunity for some of the actors in smaller roles to have their moment of stardom and many lived up to it, a few going on to bigger careers e.g. Claude Akins.

The film is one of the few that I've seen Richard Boone in a sympathetic role. William Bendix is William Bendix but I am always happy to see him as he always adds to a film.

The only aspect of the film I didn't like was the voice over, I don't think it added anything and was distracting on occasions.

I would have liked to know what happened to the some of the characters e.g the USNavy flier and his side kick and what happened to the dog?

Hard to call it an enjoyable film knowing it was based on reality but it is very watchable.

Great war flick. It should be re-released, on tape and DVD.

[kmcmenim · 29 June 2003]

Although I'm dating myself, I saw this in its original release. At the time, I was familiar with the WWII stories of the USS Franklin and the USS Bunker Hill. The dive bomb and kamikaze attacks on those two Essx class carriers provide much of the plot of this film, as well as some of the film footage. The film shows once again that ordinary men, of that time at least, had undreamed of reserves of valor with which to face otherwise overwhelming horror. If you chance to see this title in a flea market, grab it.

"Victory At Sea" devotes some time to the Franklin's saga and Gary Cooper's "Task Force" incorporates part of the story, as well.

Richard Boone, then playing TV's Dr. Conrad Styner on "Medic", William Bendix, of "The Babe Ruth Story" and his own TV series and a young Claude Aikens provided a human thread through the story.

Great WW2 naval war flick.

[reeshg4 · 10/10 · 15 April 2009]

I remember seeing this movie when it first came out. I was just a teenager then. Great story,great cast! I have always liked William Bendix. He did a great job acting as a CPO in the movie.(Hollywood must have thought so too! He played in two other movies as a CPO: Submarine Command with William Holden and Deep Six with Alan Ladd.)Liked Battle Stations so much, I sat through it twice! As I grew older and studied WW2 history,I learned this movie had been about the USS Franklin CV13. I have always wondered why the movie was never shown again or put out on VHS or DVD. Of all the movies that have been put out on DVD,This is one that certainly should have made it. I would like to see it on DVD. I would certainly go out and buy it!

Hello Columbia, time to release this one on video!

[mjbarkl · 9 November 2002]

I saw this movie in the 1950s in its theatre run. It stuck with me as a tale of considerable heroism, although the years may have taken their toll on the precision of my memory. If Columbia would release it on video I'd run right out and buy it, Grade B or not. Better yet, the tale within it would lend itself well to a major studio "Saving Private Ryan" blockbuster, so how about it, Hollywood?

good movie, like to see on dvd or vhs

[rhark · 10 August 2001]

Good movie based on the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Franklin. Pretty good cast and a good movie for people who are interested in World War II. I have not seen this movie on television for many years. It is long overdue to come out on VHS or DVD.

An averahe movie but

[nyjnt1-705-796567 · 28 September 2022]

The movie is a standard 1950"s war movie, entertaining, and loosely tells the story of the USS bunker Hill, a carrier that was severely damaged but survived due to the bravery of her crew.

The best part though is that it was filmed onboard an Essex class carrier. It has lots of shots of the interior of the carrier. Most movies only show the flight deck, but this one gives an inside look at the ship. Everything from the hanger deck, mess deck, barber shop, living quarters to the after steering compartment! It also gives a good idea of the confusing labyrinth that the inside of a big ship can be.