There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
on January 9, 2017
A much forgotten old style war movie. Very good combat scenes. Gene Evans and Skip Homier were very good as supporting characters. Michael O'Shea was good as the tough sergeant. Somehow even in the twenty-first century Richard Basehart seems a little too upper classed to be a dogface. This was also good because they had a Greek enlisted man in the platoon whose girlfriend ran a pool hall in Pittsburgh. "Hey Greek" that's what the guys called him--you were allowed to be politically incorrect in 1951.
on January 9, 2014
In the early Winter campaigns of the Korean War, American troops were ill prepared, ill equipped and surprised by first, the North Korean invasion and, when the invasion faltered and the North was forced into retreat, the second invasion led by tens to hundreds of thousands of Chinese Army troops. The intervention of China forced the American retreat from the North.
"Fixed Bayonets" is about a U.S. Army unit having to fall back to the South. One smaller unit is left behind as the rear guard, to cover the retreat and give the impression that the larger unit was still in place. The movie is about the men in this rear guard. The heroes, the cowards, those unsure of themselves and those over confident. It's well acted, with many familiar faces. The violence is subdued by modern standards, but with this film the men's struggles with themselves and each other are more important than those with the enemy around them.
If nothing else, "Fixed Bayonets" will give you a better idea of the Forgotten War.
"Fixed Bayonets" is about a U.S. Army unit having to fall back to the South. One smaller unit is left behind as the rear guard, to cover the retreat and give the impression that the larger unit was still in place. The movie is about the men in this rear guard. The heroes, the cowards, those unsure of themselves and those over confident. It's well acted, with many familiar faces. The violence is subdued by modern standards, but with this film the men's struggles with themselves and each other are more important than those with the enemy around them.
If nothing else, "Fixed Bayonets" will give you a better idea of the Forgotten War.
on December 2, 2010
If you can suspend your disbelief, and you can ignore the painted background of snowy mountains and the fake cavern in which most of the movie develops, you'll find that Fixed Bayonets! is a very good movie.
Based on some critics I read previously, I was expecting a typical American war movie where the Americans are depicted as flawless heroes while the enemy is shown as stupid, malevolent sub-humans. Not so. This is a plain story where soldiers are, well, just soldiers. At least as far as I can perceive, there is no political agenda or in your face heroism discourses. Though not much background is provided for each of the soldiers, I felt empathy for each of them. Stereotypes? Maybe, but depicted in a very natural, convincing way. Particularly likeable are the two main protagonists: Gene Evans as the wise sergeant-mentor Rock and Richard Basehart (who even looks quite handsome!) as the conflicted corporal Denno. Anyone who has been in an unexpected position of leadership where you have to make important decision concerning other people will be moved by his conflict. There are several scenes full of a dramatic tension that are hard to match: watch for the mine rescue field; just awesome. In a sentence, totally recommended. I'll get also "Steel Helmets" to continue my exploration of Sam Fueller's films.
Based on some critics I read previously, I was expecting a typical American war movie where the Americans are depicted as flawless heroes while the enemy is shown as stupid, malevolent sub-humans. Not so. This is a plain story where soldiers are, well, just soldiers. At least as far as I can perceive, there is no political agenda or in your face heroism discourses. Though not much background is provided for each of the soldiers, I felt empathy for each of them. Stereotypes? Maybe, but depicted in a very natural, convincing way. Particularly likeable are the two main protagonists: Gene Evans as the wise sergeant-mentor Rock and Richard Basehart (who even looks quite handsome!) as the conflicted corporal Denno. Anyone who has been in an unexpected position of leadership where you have to make important decision concerning other people will be moved by his conflict. There are several scenes full of a dramatic tension that are hard to match: watch for the mine rescue field; just awesome. In a sentence, totally recommended. I'll get also "Steel Helmets" to continue my exploration of Sam Fueller's films.
on June 10, 2016
As a veteran my taste in combat movies is prioritized by some authenticity, which this has, especially the gritty stuff civilians can not be made to understand. And the brotherhood that surpasses blood. With the desperate sacrifices done involving life and death while teens, aspects not covered in the john wayne romanized versions, but is the center piece of this movie.
on February 8, 2014
This is a Korean war movie, realistic in all aspects. The division has to retreat before being surrounded, so they are left with few options as to the withdrawal. A decision to leave a rear guard is their only option, with as few men left behind as possible. So about 30 men are chosen for the job. The movie revolves around 1 man who is an officer candidate school washout who is afraid to literally pull the trigger. He also fears leadership responsibilities, while he is only a corporal, he is 4th inline to be in command of this oversize platoon. This movie was produced by Samuel Fuller a combat veteran which leads to its authenticity.
on April 18, 2017
The korean war....hmmm!.....a solid movie by an excellent, underrated actor. great!
on August 27, 2017
Excellent movie for the war buff. Great service.
on April 27, 2017
A wonderful film for the military buff.
on July 23, 2008
After seeing Sam Fuller's "Steel Helmet" on one of the classic channels (AMC or TCM), I bought this DVD expecting a movie of similar originality and grittiness. While "Steel Helmet" confronts the issue of racism with stark realism and grittiness, Fixed Bayonets takes a somewhat softer approach on the issue of cowardice versus leadership.
This movie describes the actions of a platoon left behind as rear-guard, to allow a badly mauled division to withdraw safely to regroup in the face of imminent Communist-Chinese attack. Richard Basehart gives a believable performance of a Corporal who shies from the thought of having to take command because he is afraid of making decisions that affect other mens' lives. Gene Evans, with an equally good performance, plays the Sergeant who ultimately convinces the Corporal that the yellow streak is not permanent. Ultimately, the Corporal's cowardice dissolves away when he confronts the responsability that is thrust upon him. Unfortunately, this point is made rather laborousily and the movie seems to lumber along part of the way.
If you are a classic war movie buff, I'd say "Fixed Bayonets" would make your B list (while "Steel Helmet" should definitely be in your A list). Another Korean war movie that should be in your collection is Antony Mann's "Men in War".
This movie describes the actions of a platoon left behind as rear-guard, to allow a badly mauled division to withdraw safely to regroup in the face of imminent Communist-Chinese attack. Richard Basehart gives a believable performance of a Corporal who shies from the thought of having to take command because he is afraid of making decisions that affect other mens' lives. Gene Evans, with an equally good performance, plays the Sergeant who ultimately convinces the Corporal that the yellow streak is not permanent. Ultimately, the Corporal's cowardice dissolves away when he confronts the responsability that is thrust upon him. Unfortunately, this point is made rather laborousily and the movie seems to lumber along part of the way.
If you are a classic war movie buff, I'd say "Fixed Bayonets" would make your B list (while "Steel Helmet" should definitely be in your A list). Another Korean war movie that should be in your collection is Antony Mann's "Men in War".
