MacArthur
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Movie Reviews of MacArthur
Movie Review: Every bit as great a movie as 'Patton', but lamentably unknown.
Summary: 5 Stars
"MacArthur" is a thundering triumph of a film, much as MacArthur was as a man. Released in 2001 by Universal Studios, "MacArthur" is 2 hours and 10 minutes in length, and stars Gregory Peck as the heroic, egotistical, and brilliant General of the Army and Medal of Honor recipient Douglas MacArthur. Peck's performance of his role as the great General is not just an ordinary role in an ordinary movie- it is the performance of a career, of a lifetime. It is some of the best acting I have ever seen. And its not just Peck, though he could have easily carried the entire film by himself. MacArthur, with his love of dramatics and delight in being the center of everything, knew no other way. Director Joseph Sargent did a superb job, especially with the aid of the magnificent Jerry Goldsmith as the designer of the movie's soundtrack. Compared with the books on MacArthur such as "American Caesar", "MacArthur" is very short and devoid of many details. But to make a movie that truly told the story of Douglas MacArthur from beginning to end, you'd have to make a series of four-hour films, not just one that runs half of that. Sargent compressed the story of MacArthur's career from before Bataan to after Korea very well.
MacArthur was outrageously egotistical and dramatic, always wanting to put on a show when he could have done what most people would have called the more sensible or practical thing to do. On one occasion in the film, a GI warns him to stay down while he is visiting a frontline area, noting that his unit had killed several Japanese snipers nearby not long ago. Not disturbed in the slightest, MacArthur nods approvingly and says, "That's the best thing to do with them!" During the siege of Bataan, he was seen more than once calmly watching the Japanese planes attacking- standing outside the bunkers. This film deserves the same recognition 'Patton' enjoys, and I confidently rank George C. Scott's performance in that film and Gregory Peck's in this one on the same level. MacArthur was a man who could turn the making of a cup of coffee into an epic saga worth writing a play about, and this movie captures that part of him superbly. It depicts his brilliance, his total disregard for the danger the enemy posed, his colossal ego and his incredible skill as a strategist and as a leader. All those remarkable traits build him into a five star general and Medal of Honor recipient as the film goes on, until his becomes this unstoppable force that bowls over the Joint Chiefs, the Red Chinese and North Koreans, anyone who gets in his way. Until he meets with Harry Truman, played by yet another superb actor, Ed Flanders, who when learning of the General's flaunting his authority and destroying his attempts to establish a cease fire with the Chinese with a ludicrously arrogant ultimatum, declares, "I'm gonna fire his insubordinate *** right now!" MacArthur, a man who had gotten used to having his way, had finally run into someone who was as stubborn as he was. Relieved of command, he returns to the United States, received by an enraptured and joyous American public. At the conclusion of the film, Peck makes a stunning rendition of MacArthur's "Duty, Honor, Country" speech that is every bit as good as the version done by the General himself.
To anyone who is interested in learning about one of West Point's most distinguished graduates, a man whose incredible brilliance, unparalleled strategic skill, unquestionable courage and colossal ego made and ended his career, I highly recommend "MacArthur". It is truly lamentable that this film is not anywhere near as famous as it should be.
Movie Review: "duty, honor, country"
Summary: 5 Stars
Those that are interested in General Douglas MacArthur, and admire his qualities of courage and fortitude, will find this film fascinating; it is beautifully filmed, with marvelous re-creations of the mid 20th century, and the battle scenes are very well done.The speeches alone are a glory to listen to, full of passion for "duty, honor, and country", and the words are so exquisitely crafted they are like the finest prose.
The film starts and ends in MacArthur's beloved West Point, on a blustery day, as he speaks to the cadets, and is among the many memorable scenes; others are the landing on Layte, and the signing of Japan's surrender, on the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay, which is a fabulous re-staging of the historic event.
Gregory Peck gives a monumental portrayal of MacArthur; it is nuanced and brilliant, and from the old film clips I have seen of General MacArthur, subtly captures his posture and movement, with his many different pipes. This film is one of Peck's best, and it's sad it did not have more critical acclaim, as I feel it certainly deserved it.
Other terrific performances come from Marj Dusay as his wife Jean, Sandy Kenyon as General Jonathan Wainwright, and Ed Flanders as President Truman is quite exceptional; tough, gritty, and angered by MacArthur.
An excellent score by Jerry Goldsmith and cinematography by Mario Tosi complements the well-paced direction by Joseph Sargent. If it has a flaw, I feel the film makes too much of the publicity loving aspect of MacArthur's personality. Yes, he liked to use the media to his advantage, and most people who make history feel the same way no doubt...otherwise it is a fairly balanced depiction of one of the great men of the 20th century.
It is interesting to speculate what would have happened had General MacArthur been able to do what he thought was right, and not the "capitulation" and "immoral compromise with evil" he felt he was forced to accept. Perhaps over time millions of lives would have been saved, but I'm sure many would argue otherwise.
Total running time 130 minutes.
"A soldier above all other people, prays for peace, for he must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war".
Movie Review: Once you've seen it, you've seen it once, which is enough...
Summary: 5 Stars
"MacArthur" has strong ponts and weak points.
Strong points:
1. Typically, Gregory Peck gives a great performance.
2. The screenplay for "MacArthur" follows a coherent timeline. The story doesn't jump around without explanation.
3. The relationship between MacArthur and Truman was accurately depicted.
4. The cinematography was excellent.
5. While the point of view is obviously sympathetic to MacArthur as a soldier, it does not portray the individual as a saint without fault.
Weak points:
1. Although the battle scenes were fairly well staged, at one point, some stock footage of a dive bomber dropping its load on target was inserted. The only problem is that the silhouetted airplane is an F4 Phantom, which wasn't put into service until the 1960's.
2. Truman's reasons for relieving MacArthur were not fully explained.
3. There was little mention of MacArthur's service prior to Corrigedor.
4. Although MacArthur was portrayed as having the final sayso in strategic operations concerning the Pacific Theater, it wasn't necessarily so.
5. Even though the film's intro alludes to the image of MacArthur as a controversial figure, the screenplay does not adequately follow up on this idea. Even though some light is thrown on his political ambition, MacArthur is portrayed for the most part as someone who, in some other dimension, could have been the CEO of some financial outfit. The MacArthur Peck portrays does not appear to be the rather ruthless individual that at times, MacArthur was.
I bought this film because one of the Marines in my unit was an extra in the Korean War sequence, which was filmed at least in part, at Camp Pendleton. He said he carried a BAR and I wanted to see if I could spot him. I could recognize Pendleton, but not the Gyrene.
Would I recommend "MacArthur" for viewing? Yes, but it's not something that I would want to watch again and again and again.
Movie Review: One of America's greatest military leaders
Summary: 5 Stars
As a retired army officer and an adjunct history professor I thought it was important to review what I consider the best war movies depicting the challenges of leadership and the command of men.
The biopic "MacArthur" (Gregory Peck), is one of the best movies depicting the remarkable and flawed career of one of America's greatest military leaders; General of the Army Douglas MacArthur, Supreme Allied Commander during World War II and United Nations Commander for the Korean War. The movie examines this military legend's1942 recall from the Philippines by FDR; his triumphant return to liberate the country from the Japanese; his guidance of & influence on the allies' post war policies in Japan; his often volatile & fragile relationship with Harry Truman; which resulted in his dismissal from the army by Truman.
Another reason I picked this movie is because it highlights the original tension between the civilian authority over our military. A concept that I wholeheartedly support as part of our constitution. Unfortunately, it has been tested to a smaller degree recently with the General McChrystal flap.
Movie Review: Another great film about another great general
Summary: 5 Stars
The FULLY RESTORED version of "MacArthur" is here and it is NOW on DVD! Not as strong as "Patton", but still intriguing. The complete war campaign of MacArthur...starring Gregory Peck in the leading role. From his first campaign in the Phillipines to his final battle in Korea. Indeed...you shall return to this DVD & see this movie over & over again. Truly delightful.