Fixed Bayonets
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Movie Reviews of Fixed Bayonets
Movie Review: Fixed bayonets
Summary: 5 Stars
It tooka long time to find. But well worth the effort. A solid Korean war movie. Who would have thought they would get Sgt. Rock on screen.Movie Review: Very pleased
Summary: 5 Stars
We received our item in a very short time and were pleased with our purchase.Movie Review: Suspenseful War movie from Cult favorite, Sam Fuller.
Summary: 4 Stars
One of my favorite directors, Sam Fuller, directs his follow-up to his Korean War classic, "The Steel Helmet(1950)" with this white knuckler called "Fixed Bayonets!(1952)".
"Fixed Bayonets!" follows the story of a platoon of men left behind to hold back a Commie counterattack during the Korean War. All the men are a colorful, memorable lot and the film focuses strongly on the Corporal as portrayed by Richard Basehart. While a courageuous man, he has difficulty in firing his weapon. He also is afriad of being in charge and his suspense mounts as one by one the chain of command are knocked off.
This is a very succesful War movie but not quite as fast paced as Fuller's previous classic. Instead Fuller builds suspense and clausterphobia among the ranks as the ebemy closes in on the small number of men. Action is there and is typically quick and unexpected, with a particularly exciting final few minutes.
Fuller injects his usual amount of humor into the picture along with minute details on the plight of the soldier. One of the most memorable moments is that bizarre sequence where all the men keep there feet warm in a cave by massaging them together in a small puddle of water. Or passing the time by creating a replica of Bowling with a snowball and spent shells.
The cast is excellent led by Basehart who brings a toughness and realism that is largely missing from other War movies. Most films in this genre would portray him as a one dimensional coward, but Fuller chooses to depict him in a more well rounded light. Case in point: Look at the Upham character from "Saving Private Ryan" for proof of Hollywood's "easy way out" writing style to gain a simplistic audience response. Luckily, this film does not go that low.
Gene Evans character is not to far removed from his role in "The Steel Helmet" and he easily steals the film as the platoon Sargeant. He was an underutilized actor and was always at home as a "dogface" in these War films.
Skip Homier deserves a nod as his know-it-all Private who actually comes across as quite human and likeable. He was even more memorable in the same year's "Halls of Montezuma" as the Lugar twirling hothead in Richard Widmark's platoon in the Pacific. He his incredibly effective here and not written as type.
The rest of the cast are mainly familar Fuller stock actors and character performers. A notable exception, towards the end, is James Dean in one of his first film roles.
War buffs would be hard pressed to even considering passing this most excellent squad movie up of one of the most forgotten conflicts in American history. Very reccomended.
The DVD features the original(campy) Theatrical Trailer and some photos, but little else.
Movie Review: Good, but not as gritty as "The Steel Helmet"
Summary: 4 Stars
After seeing Sam Fuller's "Steel Helmet" on one of the classic channels (AMC or TCM), I bought this DVD expecting a movie of similar originality and grittiness. While "Steel Helmet" confronts the issue of racism with stark realism and grittiness, Fixed Bayonets takes a somewhat softer approach on the issue of cowardice versus leadership.
This movie describes the actions of a platoon left behind as rear-guard, to allow a badly mauled division to withdraw safely to regroup in the face of imminent Communist-Chinese attack. Richard Basehart gives a believable performance of a Corporal who shies from the thought of having to take command because he is afraid of making decisions that affect other mens' lives. Gene Evans, with an equally good performance, plays the Sergeant who ultimately convinces the Corporal that the yellow streak is not permanent. Ultimately, the Corporal's cowardice dissolves away when he confronts the responsability that is thrust upon him. Unfortunately, this point is made rather laborousily and the movie seems to lumber along part of the way.
If you are a classic war movie buff, I'd say "Fixed Bayonets" would make your B list (while "Steel Helmet" should definitely be in your A list). Another Korean war movie that should be in your collection is Antony Mann's "Men in War".
Movie Review: Almost Suicidal Rearguard Action.
Summary: 4 Stars
"Fixed Bayonets" (1951) is a very good war movie, directed by a specialist as Samuel Fuller, who also directed "The Steel Helmet" (1951) and the exceptionally good "The Big Red One" (1980).
As a WWII veteran Fuller knows what war is and what really happens in front line small units.
The present film IMHO, represents a new approach to war movies, stark reality is shown, not as realistic as in "Saving Private Ryan" (1998) or "Band of Brothers" (2001), but definitely more lifelike than "Guadalcanal Diary" or "Gung Ho" both from 1943.
The story is about a Company left to fight an almost suicidal rearguard action during Korea War. Being the main character a Corporal reluctant to assume leadership notwithstanding his personal courage and sense of duty.
Playacting is really good with Richard Basehart as Cpl. Denno and Gene Evans as Sgt. Rock (performing Sergeants is a trademark for him) as the acting high points.
If you are a movie fan try to discover Jimmy Dean in his first film appearance as an uncredited GI.
B&W photography enhances the film by accentuating the desolate winter landscape and martial music follows an old tradition for war movies.
It is a very commendable movie for all those interested in war films.
Reviewed by Max Yofre.