Movie Reviews for None But the Brave

None But the Brave

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Movie Reviews of None But the Brave

Movie Review: War?
Summary: 4 Stars

Sinatra took a different look at WW2...a small war on an island from both points of view. Well ahead of his time on the theme this is a great look at motivation, freindship, duty, and honor. The acting is excellent. The action and drama scenes are well done. The ending is just perfect. A keeper for any collection. Only problem I had was the subtitles did not come on.

Movie Review: admirable intentions . . .
Summary: 3 Stars

Set on an island in the south Pacific during World War II, None But The Brave is notable as the only film to be directed and produced by Frank Sinatra. The movie revolves around the interactions between a group of Japanese soldiers stranded on the island, and American Marines who suddenly arrive, when their transport plane is shot down and crash lands on the island.

The film is a collaborative effort between American and Japanese studios. These filmmakers appear to have admirable intentions. Instead of focusing on combat between the American and Japanese forces, the film attempts to provide some insight into the motivation, philosophy, and culture of the Japanese soldiers, primarily through the thoughts of their commanding officer, Lieutenant Kuroki (Tatsuya Mihashi), who provides narration at various points. Painting the entire group with one broad brush may not be accurate, but the hope is that the Japanese soldiers will be viewed as fellow humans and not just the `enemy'.

The Americans are led by Captain Dennis Bourke (Clint Walker), the pilot of the plane, and headstrong Marine Lieutenant Blair (Tommy Sands). Initially, the opposing forces feel each other out, as the Marines try to gain access to fresh water, and steal a boat the Japanese have constructed. Discovering that each is cutoff from communication with their respective commands, a truce is proposed by Kuroki who needs medical assistance for one of his men. Pharmacist mate Maloney (Sinatra) is pressed into service as a surgeon, to amputate the gangrenous leg of a Japanese soldier.

Following a successful operation, peaceful and mostly cooperative coexistence ensues, with the Americans trading cigarettes for fish, and Maloney providing basic care for the recovering soldier. The truce appears broken when the Japanese discover that the Americans have repaired their radio, but an impending storm brings everyone together in a joint effort to save a well. After the Americans restore radio communications, the Japanese refuse an offer to surrender, leading to a final battle for the island. At the end of the film, the words "Nobody Ever Wins" appear on the screen. The precise point of the film may be subject to discussion, but examining the tragic nature of war and conflict, might be near the top of the list.

Moral statements aside, the film is entertaining, although not very realistic. The fighting scenes are almost laughable, only slightly above something like McHale's Navy. Soldiers on both sides just can't shoot straight. If they could, there would soon be few alive, as most don't seem concerned about being shot. Spreading out and taking cover when under fire, would seem obvious self preservation, yet it is rarely done. Apparently these troops are unaware, that when someone is shooting at you, standing up or moving away from cover, makes you a better target.

Artillery fire from a destroyer, that should blow craters on the beach, result in tiny unrealistic explosions. When the truce almost ends, the two forces stand a few feet apart ready to rumble like street gangs. It's dramatic, but not very realistic. When the sky suddenly turns dark, somehow both Kuroki and Bourke immediately recognize that a huge storm is imminent, and that they must work together to protect the well. Due to their quick efforts, a wall of tree trunks and a few sandbags, manages to hold back the flood waters. Well I'll be a son of a buck!

Discipline is lacking, when Marines ordered not to advance, still proceed to the water hole. A sergeant (Brad Dexter) challenges the chain of command, taking a swing at Bourke. Insubordination is present on both sides, with the Japanese making an unauthorized raid, and a gung ho Lieutenant Blair itching to engage the enemy.

Serving as both director and producer, it is a fair assumption that Sinatra was on board with the aims of the film. In the trailer for the film, Sinatra asks the audience the provocative question, "can you still pull the trigger" if the enemy is not some faceless stranger. As an actor, Sinatra turns in a good performance, though mostly in the background, and absent during the fight scenes. As a director, working with a script with issues, Sinatra demonstrates that he can handle a comic book type action film.

Much of the location work was shot of the island of Kauai, in Hawaii. While filming in the Aloha State, Brad Dexter saved Sinatra from drowning, leading to their friendship. Dexter then played a prominent role in Sinatra's next film, the World War II adventure, Von Ryan's Express. Also in the cast, is Sinatra's ex-son in law, Tommy Sands, the pop singer who was married to his daughter, Nancy Sinatra.

While a collaborative effort, the film has a definite Hollywood look. Much of the special effects and model plane work, reflects the trademark Japanese style, similar to a Godzilla film. A young John Williams, provides a rousing score, with elements of Japanese music mixed in. None But The Brave may not be the most polished effort, and it does not escape being clichéd and at times wooden, but the attempt to be more than another shoot `em up war flick is admirable. Sinatra's lone directorial effort looks terrific in Warner Brothers Frank Sinatra Collection widescreen edition.

Movie Review: OK...but a couple of serious misfires
Summary: 3 Stars

This film held my interest, partially because it tells a good story, and there are plot twists that take you by surprise, but also, ironically, because of a couple of inept features that were so amateurish they were hard to take--I kept asking myself, is this for real?
I thought Clint Walker was excellent in the main role, along with Tatsuya Mihashi as his Japanese leader counterpart. Frank Sinatra is inconsistent...a sloppy performance in that you can't figure out when he's serious, when he's not, unless it's broadcast to you so loud and clear that it becomes inconsistent with what just came before. Tommy Sands is BEYOND BAD as a gung-ho officer--he wrecks every scene he's in (didn't anyone look at the rushes?). OMG! Finally, there are a couple of flashbacks that throw the movie off and only serve as an easy attempt to enlarge on our understanding of the characters of Walker and Mihashi. Very awkward.

All that said, if you stick with it, the movie has some good things to say about the complexities and, particularly, the stupidities of war.

Movie Review: None But The Brave
Summary: 3 Stars

Old Blue Eyes produced this movie. Great anti war theme but not preachy and the Japanese are not portrayed as blood thirsty slant eyed devils. Good action but hokey airplane models used in the shoot down scene. Why didn't they caption the Japanese when they talked as the original cut did?I knew what they were saying as I saw it in the movie theatre. Frank's son in law Tommy Sands was great as the young shave tail Lt. Clint Walker tho not a great actor was good as the Captain leader. Bummer ending but that's war. Worth seeing!