******SPOILERS*******
Tightly produced, well-cast little war film, with sturdy O'Brian in the
lead as a seasoned marine leading a small detatchment of crack troops into the Phillippeans in late 1943 on recon work. The only member of the troupe who isn't seasoned is the all-important radio operator (Mitchum) who's taken under the wing of the unit's "career marine" machine-gun specialist (yes, Rooney). Predictably, he manages to grate on everyone's nerves and be one of the mission's last survivors at the same time.
Good writing manages to make the story's more contrived moments come off well, and carries the film with a realistic tone and feel. Another good production from Aubrey Schenck.
Tightly produced, well-cast little war film, with sturdy O'Brian in the
lead as a seasoned marine leading a small detatchment of crack troops into the Phillippeans in late 1943 on recon work. The only member of the troupe who isn't seasoned is the all-important radio operator (Mitchum) who's taken under the wing of the unit's "career marine" machine-gun specialist (yes, Rooney). Predictably, he manages to grate on everyone's nerves and be one of the mission's last survivors at the same time.
Good writing manages to make the story's more contrived moments come off well, and carries the film with a realistic tone and feel. Another good production from Aubrey Schenck.