9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent DVD release from the Warner Bros vault, October 2, 2007
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.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
"The Fighting 69th (1943) ... James Cagney ... William Keighley (Director) (2007)", January 17, 2011
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)
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