Customer Reviews

The Fighting 69th

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Warner Brothers does their usual excellent job with the DVD release of "The Fighting 69th." This is a beautifully restored print in glorious black and white.

The special features package contains "Warner Night at the Movies," consisting of a theatrical trailer ("Brother Orchid"), a newsreel ("Fleet Sails for Secret War Tests"), an Academy Award nominated short film about Londoners coping with the Blitz ("London Can Take It" ), a short about civil aviation pilot training programs ("Young America Flies"), and a B&W cartoon set on the Mayflower ("Pilgrim Porky"). Additional bonus material includes a color Merrie Melody cartoon, "The Fighting 69 1/2th," a 1949 Lux Radio Theater audio adaptation of "The Fighting 69th," and the theatrical trailer for "The Fighting 69th."

This is a stirring, sentimental, and patriotic film released in 1940 before American entered WWII. James Cagney and Pat O'Brien were outstanding actors, with great chemistry in the nine films they made together. The excellent supporting cast includes Alan Hale and Dennis Morgan.

The story revolves around the 165th US Infantry, which had previously been known as the 69th New York, an outfit composed mostly of Irish immigrants and several generations of their native born sons. In grand Hollywood tradition, everyone speaks with a brogue, fist fights break out with abandon, and references to shillelaghs, banshees and blarney are plentiful.

Jerry Plunket (Cagney), a tough mug from Brooklyn enlists so he can come home with a chest full of medals and be a big shot. He brags, cracks wise, and struts his way through boot camp, endearing himself to no one. But when he comes under fire, Plunket discovers he isn't as brave as he thought he was going to be. Instead of honor and glory, he finds himself facing execution by firing squad for desertion.

Real life heroes of the regiment are also portrayed in the movie - Sergeant Joyce Kilmer, soldier poet, is in the outfit; Father Francis J. Duffy (O'Brien), who's statue stands in Times Square; and Major "Wild Bill" Donovan (George Brent), Medal of Honor winner, who later became the head of the OSS.

About the only thing missing from this package is a commentary track, but what more really needs to be said? The movie speaks for itself.

Highly recommended.

James Cagney plays a coward Jerry Plunkett in this sentimental film about the famous fighting Irish American regiment in the First World War. Prior to entering the military Cagney is a contemptible loudmouth braggart from Brooklyn. Once in Europe he turns into a squealing coward the first time he encounters the Germans bringing an array of enemy ordnance and death upon his regiment. Ultimately Cagney turns cowardice into courage with a little help from Pat O'Brien's influence as Father Duffy. The film seems somewhat dated but Cagney and O'Brien's performances, expertly orchestrated battle sequences and Owen Marks' editing make this film important and significant. The examination of heroism and cowardice weighed against burdensome feelings of camaraderie are expertly represented in this film.

Warner Bros. Pictures presents "THE FIGHTING 69TH" (1943) (90 min/B&W) (Fully Restored/Dolby Digitally Remastered) -- The US 69th division was a national guard contingent comprised of Irish Americans, who fought with the Rainbow Division in the WWI years 1917-1918 --- Into this ethnic stronghold comes cocky Jerry Plunkett, a streetwise tough who is certain that he can lick the Germans single-handedly --- But during his first taste of real combat, Plunkett turns coward and inadvertently reveals the 69th's position --- Held responsible for the deaths of his companions, Plunkett is sentenced to a firing squad --- Thanks to a bomb that levels the stockade in which he is held, Plunkett set out to redeem himself on the battlefield.

The beauty of James Cagney's star performance is that he is as thoroughly convincing as a "yellow belly" as he is a hero.

The real-life personages depicted in The Fighting 69th include military priest Father Duffy (Pat O'Brien), future OSS leader Wild Bill Donovan (George Brent) and poet Joyce Kilmer (Jeffrey Lynn).

Another outstanding tour de force for Cagney!

Under the production staff of:
William Keighley [Director]
Norman Reilly Raine [Original Screenplay]
Fred Niblo Jr. [Original Screenplay]
Dean Riesner [Screenplay] (as Dean Franklin)
Louis F. Edelman [Associate Producer]
Hal B. Wallis [Executive Producer]
Adolph Deutsch [Original Music]
Tony Gaudio [Cinematographer]
Owen Marks [Film Editor]

BIOS:
1. William Keighley [Director]
Date of Birth: 4 August 1889 - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Date of Death: 24 June 1984 - New York City, New York

2. James Cagney [aka: James Francis Cagney]
Date of Birth: 17 July 1899 - New York City, New York
Date of Death: 30 March 1986 - Stanfordville, New York

the cast includes:
James Cagney - Pvt. Jerry Plunkett
Pat O'Brien - Father Duffy
George Brent - Wild Bill Donovan
Jeffrey Lynn - Joyce Kilmer
Alan Hale - Sgt. 'Big Mike' Wynn
Frank McHugh - Crepe Hanger Burke
Dennis Morgan - Lt. Ames
Dick Foran - Lt. 'Long John' Wynn
William Lundigan - Timmy Wynn
Guinn 'Big Boy' Williams - Paddy Dolan

Mr. Jim's Ratings:
Quality of Picture & Sound: 5 Stars
Performance: 5 Stars
Story & Screenplay: 5 Stars
Overall: 5 Stars [Original Music, Cinematography & Film Editing]

Total Time: 90 min on DVD ~ Warner Bros. Pictures ~ (04/24/2007)

In this classic, faith and action yield redemption for lost causes and several familiar names in history come to life. The acting is superb and the plot carries a good blend of action and drama. Cagney plays the quintessential tough-guy exterior stretched thin over the coward underneath who finally finds redemption outside himself. Pat O'Brien as Father Duffy was perfectly cast and gives humanity and depth to the character. George Brent is also perfectly cast as "Wild Bill" Donovan and provides a memorable performance. Very well done and one to enjoy often.

The Fighting 69th

The setting is World War I and Jerry Plunkett (played by James Gagney) is part of the New York army unit the "Fighting 69th". Plunkett is a cocky bragger that can't wait to see action and prove he is a real tough soldier. He very quickly alienates himself from his fellow soldiers and in particular his sergeant (played by Alan Hale). Only Father Duffy (played by Pat O'Brien) the chaplain is left to attempt to reason with Plunkett to change his attitude toward his fellow soldiers and accept the discipline necessary to become a member of his unit. The know-it-all Plunkett rejects Duffy and refuses to change.

When the 69th eventually enters combat and suffers casualties, Plunkett "turns yellow" and his noisy attempts to leave the battlefield result in the deaths of other soldiers. As his actions continue to disrupt the unit his commanding officer (played by George Brent) charges Plunkett with cowardice and places him under arrest for a court martial. Once again Father Duffy tries to help Plunkett to no avail. The unit moves out into combat again with Plunkett confined to await trial.

The objective of the 69th proves to be an extremely tough target. Rather than reveal the plot and spoil the movie suffice to say that Plunkett escapes confinement and joins the battle inspired to the degree to become a hero and turn the tide for the 69th. Albeit he doesn't survive, he dies saving the life of his sergeant.

I really enjoyed this movie especially because it included so many actors in bit parts that I remembered from the movies I viewed from my youth including Dennis Morgan, Dick Foran and William Lundigan.

As always Cagney with the support of a terrific cast and story makes for an escellent telling of the story of the fightin 69th!!!

This was without a doubt on of the best war movies I have ever watched and I've watched a bunch. The story was magnificent, a master piece. James Cagney and the rest of the cast were supurb. A DVD worth holding on to.

The Fighting 69th is one of the greatest early movies produced about WWI and the Army unit of that designation. It tells the story of a tough, Irishman from NYC and reveals his inner depth brought about by a patient and understanding Catholic Chaplain who guides him to let his true feelings out. It combines all the humor and pathos of a soldier's life - then and, in some ways, now. No matter how many times we watch this movie we still get a lump in the throat at the end....

What is to be said about the "War to end all wars". A great flick, with some historical fact, as well as poetic license. Not to many great movies about World War One, truly enjoyable and heartwarming. Cagney is great as Jerry Plunkett from Brooklyn, and Pat O'Brian as the legendary Father Francis Duffy. A good movie for the younger set to watch who may not be familiar with the Fisrt World War. You can watch this movie over and over, and see things you may have missed the first time viewing. Buy it, it is worth the price.

"The Fighting 69th" is a fictionalized account of the WWI actions of the famed Irish-American regiment.

This pre-WWII flag waver features Jimmy Cagney as a wise-cracking, tough guy who breaks under the strain of combat; George Brent who rather woodenly plays the role of real life Medal of Honor winner Major "Wild Bill" Donavan; and Pat O'Brien as the famous Father Duffy whose statue now stands in Times Square. The story is pretty predictable with Cagney the coward finding his courage by returning to his faith thanks to the encouragement of Father Duffy.

What keeps this movie from completly sinking under the weight of patriotic cheerleading are Cagney's and O'Brien's performances and the rather realistic battle scenes. Cagney plays his trademark city tough guy character who is as quick with a joke as he is with his fists. Pat O'Brien plays his usual, stoical father-figure role. The combination of Cagney's hyper-energy acting and O'Brien's cool detachness always made for great on-screen chemistry, and "The Fighting 69th" is no exception. Also the battle scenes were quite good for their time. Some of the horrors of WWI are well detailed especially the reality of being buried alive in "bomb-proof" dugout. This movie, though, was made to inspire national pride as the clouds of war threatened to overtake America; thus the film never truly loses its sort of "rah-rah" approach to combat. "All Quiet on the Western Front" it is not.