Customer Reviews

Soldier in the Rain [VHS]

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

It's a shame that this classic is going the way of all things. I don't know if service in the military is absolutely essential to appreciate this film, but those who have served can easily appreciate Gleason's and McQueen's genius in rendering their characters. Both figures are timeless and ever-present in the real military (the military that's generally not reflected in entertainment media because it's simply too real, ordinary and every-day) and Gleason and McQueen play them with dignity and a sensitivity that shows their characters for the ordinary human beings they are. These characters may be less compelling to the average movie-goer than those of Preminger or Spielberg, but they are much more typical of the institution that, for most Americans, exists in peacetime somewhere out there in the backstage of their minds.

One might argue that a movie about street sweepers would be just as relevant. To the degree that most Americans have well developed preconceptions about street sweepers that don't accord with the every day reality of street sweeping in our society, the argument may be justified. But I doubt that's the case. That most Americans have fairly concrete, if uninformed, notions about their standing military is hard to deny. That even informed citizens fail generally to distinguish between the peacetime and wartime institutions is nearly axiomatic (and not a peculiarly American phenomenon).

Nor should Gleason's and McQueen's characters be interpreted as exclusively American stereotypes. Anyone who has served in any professional military - American, Soviet, German, Chinese, French etc - will recognize these characters and appreciate the realism and drama these masters bring to their roles.

Movies like "Soldier in the Rain" (or "The Pawnbroker" or "A Patch of Blue") are evidence of what Hollywood can do when it's not just trying to sell movie sound tracks and sequel rights.

I read the other 2 reviews of "Soldier in the Rain" and totally agreed with them. I just wanted to add my opinion - and that is that this movie has universal themes that will appeal to anyone I think. I first saw the film, probably in the 70's when a friend highly recommended it. The characters from Jackie Gleason's seasoned performance to Steve McQueen's innocent youthfulness to Tuesday Weld's sweetness to Tom Poston's pompousness all contribute to a very human story - along with the antagonist soldiers and gentle humor and little tragedies we all encounter along our lives. I highly recommend this great great movie to everyone - it has some wonderful lines and lessons for us all.

Solider In The Rain features:

The best theme Henry Mancini ever wrote.

The best script Blake Edwards ever wrote.

The best directing Ralph Nelson ever did.

The best acting Gleason, McQueen and Weld ever did.

So naturally it's NOT allowed to be put out on DVD.

That's Hollywood thinking for you!

(Or perhaps they've held back on it for this long because they were rightly afraid
that this movie is so good that it would make many people in the film biz today
just give up and find a different line of work.)

UPDATE: We had already lost McQueen in 1980 and Gleason in 1987.
In April 2007 we lost another "Soldier" cast member, Tom Poston.
Yet another reason to save the memory of this fine movie by putting it out on DVD.

I remember the first time I saw "Soldier in The Rain". It was on the NYC based cable forerunner WHT. I was riveted to the screen. This is not like any other Steve McQueen film; he plays a goofy supply sergeant fed up with the army and looking forward to civilian life. His pal, Jackie Gleason, is a lifer and wishes to remain so, and yet the camaraderie between them is thoughtful and bittersweet. Now, don't get me wrong, I love all of McQueen's films and am especially fond of his cool, anti-hero characters like Vin in "The Magnificent Seven" and Hilts in "The Great Escape". But I must say that there will always be a special place in my heart for "Soldier in The Rain"...mostly because it IS different. The supporting cast is remarkable--especially Tuesday Weld. Vietnam Vets will certainly remember the name Chris Noel; this was her first film appearance.

For many years, I thought this movie would never see the light of day past VHS. In fact, I still have my VHS copy because I still can't believe that Warner Bros. Archives has released this! If you love Steve McQueen, and if you like quirky films, then you will adore this movie.

This is one of my favorite movies. The teaming of Gleason and McQueen plays quite well on screen, and who can ever forget Gleasons' mastery over the Coke machine and how he'd tether McQueens' wild schemes. There are other scenes, but the bar brawl near the end of the movie was one of the best staged (for the time especially) and McQueen actually hurt his ribs after being tossed thru the entry partition. It was very realistic and brutal. And, that flying drop-kick that McQueen puts on Ed Nelson. Hoo daddy, and I'm not even a wrasslin' fan, but that was something...it's a film that has a little something for everyone, and everyone should see this neat little gem...

I saw this film on the real screen. I thought it had to be in the '50s, but the Internet served me again.

I can remember but one line or scene from this marvelous movie. Gleason is talking about retirement from the Army. McQueen is doing his thing. "What do you want to do Sarge?"

Gleason sighs, "I want to go to an island where the young woman don't wear tops. I want all of them to have [...] that point up."

Yes to all of the other reviews. I can get this film on tape in excellent condition for only $[...]. Why bother? Didn't know that Henry did the music. Thanks!

Jim Hinkson
El Sobrante, CA
jhinkson@aol.com

I have no idea why this film came into my mind.

I saw this movie when I was in the United States Army. I loved it. Why the heck isn't this on DVD? McQueen and Gleason give heartfelt performances that mostly every ex-GI can deeply commiserate with their own experiences. It is a crying shame that this movie has not yet been rendered to the DVD medium. It is my sincere hope that Amazon will somehow alert the appropriate studio as to the emotion this evokes in many ex-servicemen; and elicit them to produce an anamorphic version of this wonderful story.

A splendid showing of their versatility, Steve of his upcoming stardum and Jackie of his seasoned acting. This is in a catagory along with stalog 17. It pulls you along with all the feelings of an actual happening. It has your comedy and tragity in good order. Tuesday Weld also makes her character true to life. This film is outstanding with performance excelence.

Wonderful story - Gleason and McQueen are perfect - Tuesday Weld was never better - the characters are genuine, you will believe in them and their ups and downs. This is what movie making is all about. If you like movies like The Notebook, Steel Magnolias and such then this movie is for you. Guys will probably idendify with Gleason and/or McQueen but women may not able to connect to the characters and story as easily.

"I remember seeing "Soldier in the Rain" on our local independent
station WOR-TV in the 1970's. I've never forgotten it.
Brilliantly mixing comedy with poignant drama, it features
terrific performances from Jackie Gleason and Steve McQueen.
Gleason has never been better as the army lifer Lt. Maxwell Slaughter and McQueen is excellent as his sidekick Eustice Clay.
Tuesday Weld contributes a nice turn in a supporting role.
If you ever get the opportunity to see this rarely shown film,
don't miss it. "Until that time Eustice. Until that time".
Joseph Bertie
Woodside, N.Y