A Walk in the Sun

A Walk in the Sun (1945) provides a unique and intimate war experience. We follow a troop as they pass from battle scene to battle scene. The focus is more on the soldiers and the trauma they face than the bombs blowing up around them. Another example of Hollywood changing in the way they actors are captured.

Though it's probably realistic to devote most of the film's running time to the idles between skirmishes, the dialogues and soliloquies contained in these stretches are pure screenwriterese. Often, Milestone will frame two soldiers in an awkward shot that makes them look like news anchors, facing the camera but not looking at each other. Alot of windy dialogue sounds unconvincing, despite sturdy performances from the large ensemble cast.

Characters die, the actual mission starts to come into focus, and the movie becomes pretty good. The banter between Richard Conte and George Tyne is clever and amusing. Dana Andrews becomes the commanding officer and he takes center stage. The action surrounding their actual mission is suspenseful and surprisingly grim. I find myself liking this.

86.00

Different WW2 drama very heavy on the dialogue, understated on the action.

One of the best WWII dramas. Realistic, well-acted.

Very good straight-ahead WW2 military adventure. Better still, it's in the public domain, so you can see it legally right now if you like: http://www.archive.org/details/AWalkintheSun