The Young Lions
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Movie Reviews of The Young Lions
Movie Review: By no measure a "classic" war film
Summary: 2 Stars
Having a very large collection of war films, there is a lot on shelf by which to compare and contrast this one. This is by no measure a "classic" war film, because that label would rank it up there with "Saving Private Ryan," "The Longest Day," "Tora-Tora-Tora," and many others through which the "classic" standard was developed.
Given, this COULD have been, and perhaps should have been a great film, but it is full of flaws, and unfortunately three of them are the acting of three pretty fair actors. The adaptation from the book was basically ineffective, and thus rendered the movie an almost painfully plodding experience. It is far too long, and opportunities to deliver a powerful message on war itself were lost. Frankly, the obvious efforts to render this an idealistic classic failed.
In terms of the acting, none of the three central characters were presented effectively, and perhaps not even believably. Part of the problem was that Brando, Clift, and Martin were not challenged, and at times actually seemed to be disinterested in anything but reading their lines. Because of his inexperience, Dean Martin can be forgiven, but Clift and Brando were extremely weak in their portrayals of the characters, and again, appreared to be merely going through their lines.
The best part of the entire film was the musical score, which was exceptional. Naturally, if the "...best part of the film..." was the music, the prosecution rests when it comes to further elaboration on the qualities - or the lack thereof - of the film. On a purely personal note, I had some trouble with what I perceived as an attempt to portray Brando's German officer character as an even "cuddly Nazi," and the director took the attempted idealism a bit too far.
Movie Review: WW2 Epic, Disappointing & Dated
Summary: 2 Stars
The film was based on a book by Irwin Shaw about 2 GIs and a German solider,
played by Monty Clift, Dean Martin & Marlon Brando in that order and directed
by the dependable veteran director Edward Dmytryk based on a screenplay
by Edward Anhalt.
It was made in 1958, 13 years after the end of WW2.
According to Leonard Maltin's Movie Guide, it is "One of the all time best WW2 studies...."
with a 3.5 star rating.
The main problem of this long film (167 mins) is to connect the stories of the 3 protagonists
throughout this film.
At the beginning of the film, the German soldier spent a ski vacation with an American played
by Barbara Rush who later revealed as the girl friend of a singer/entertainer played by Dean
Martin. After the singer was drafted, he met Monty Clift who was unbelievably abused by his
fellow soldier for anti-semitism reasons. Monty looked emancipated for the role who had to
fist fight 4 well-built GIs in tandem which further stretched logic.
Marlon's role was not well-written which left him little to do other than looking reluctant and
in pain. He was overshadowed by Maximilian Schell who shone as a hard-headed Nazi.
It is an out-dated boring WW2 epic lacking a strong narrative and story line.