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74 of 75 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An American family sends its five boys off to World War II, July 7, 2001
"The Fighting Sullivans" is the true story of five brothers who died together when their Navy ship, the Juneau, was sunk in the South Pacific during World War II. But only the last act of this 1944 film, directed by Lloyd Bacon, shows the Sullivans at war. Most of this film is pure Americana, following the lives of the boys from their childhood in Waterloo, Iowa. Thomas Mitchell and the marvelous Selena Royle are the loving parents, while the five boys are played by unknown actors: Edward Ryan (Al), John Campbell (Frank), James Cardwell (George), John Alvin (Matt), and George Offerman (Joe). Trudy Marshall plays their only sister, Genevieve. Top billing actually goes to Anne Baxter as the young girl who marries into the family and will be left a widow with a baby in arms. Ward Bond plays the Navy lieutenant who befriends the family when the Sullivans insist that they will only join up if they can serve together. Eventually the Navy relents and the boys get their wish. Audiences knew the tragic fate of the Sullivans, although the film was originally released as "The Sullivans" and pretty much bombed at the box office. Retitled "The Fighting Sullivans" and re-released, it became a smash hit. The use of unknown actors made the film all the more effective, especially since it refrained from the sort of cliches you would expect. If the scene where the parents learn all five boys have died does not get you, the next scene will: Mr. Sullivan goes off to his job on the railroad and as the train passes the water tower where his boys waved to him as kids, he salutes them. Actually, this film works so well that the final shot, of the Sullivans in uniform striding across the clouds of the afterlife does not seem one whit hokey. There is a documentary available on the Sullivans, which tells how one of the boys survived the sinking before dying in the waters off of Guadacanal. I would not have thought anything could have made this story more tragic, but that bit of information certainly made it worse for me.
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68 of 70 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Will live in my heart and memory forever, November 20, 1999
By A Customer
My mother brought me to see this movie at the Crest movie theatre in Highbridge. It was soon after the Sullivan brothers had so heroically died for their beloved country. There were many other mothers or fathers who wanted their children to learn about why we were at war at that time, and to have respect for the Sullivans and all the other men and women in their service of their country during World War II.I was only five years of age at that time, but I remember everything about the movie. Ofcourse, I saw it in the movies a couple of more times within the next few years as well as staying up until the wee small hours of the morning to see it on the late show. Each and every time, the movie evoked the same reaction from me, tears and trembling. I felt as though every member of the Sullivan family was a friend of mine. Perhaps I may sound old fashioned or outdated, but I appreciated The Fighting Sullivans more than I could any of the films of the present day. This film was realistic, it dealt with the thin line which separates life from death. The present day films focus, for the most part on fantasy, violence, and sex, which have many negative effects on the people who so choose to take them seriously. Whereas, The Fighting Sullivans encompased strong family values, the family was not perfect, but with their strong love and respect for each other, they were able to overcome any challenges which life might have brought them. Good family values is the basis of life. Oh, yes, this is one of the greatest tragedies of all times, but this film has had positive effects on me as well as many others. It has served as an inspiration and an appreciation of our great American heritage, thanks to some of the many brave servicemen such as the Sullivans who helped uphold the principles of democracy for us. My ambition is to purchase this film and watch it periodically, and share it with any family member(s) of friends who would care to watch it with me.
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17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Always a classic, never too late to see., November 17, 1999
In 1955 my mother made me sit and watch this movie at the ripe young age of 10. I will never forget the emotions that overcame me even at this youg age. For years I had looked, and looked for this movie, and alas a few years back it appeared on late nite tv. I watched, I recalled, and I cried my eyes out. Mind you I am a seasoned Viet Nam veteran...and this movie is so realistic as to what life was and should be, that it will affect anyone who views it in a favorable light. I now insist that my two adult children view this movie, and will purchase it for each of them as a reminder as to family values, and the sacrifice that past American's have made for our freedoms. This is a film that should be viewed by every American. This is a film which should be included as required viewing for any immigrant entering and enjoying the freedoms of the USA. This film is reality, family values, loyalty, tradition, and patriosim all intertwined into a classic movie which has and will endure over the years.
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