Take the High Ground! (1953)
Sgt. Thorne Ryan, who once fought bravely in Korea, now serves as a hard-nosed drill instructor to new Army recruits at Fort Bliss, Texas. But is he really the man he is often described as? His fellow instructor, and friend helps him to face the ghosts of his past experiences in Korea. One night in a bar across the border in Juarez, Mexico, Sgt. Ryan meets a lady who begins to turn his life around. Will this be enough to help him deal with the past? Or will he continue to be so hard on his troops?
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Very very predictable, including the post credit scene !!!
I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.
By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.
An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.
Dull, Clichéd, and Uninteresting Boot Camp Movie with Nothing Much to say except these are America's Fighting Men and the Military is well, the Military. This is without doubt the most Boring Film Ever made about Drill Sergeants and the "Young People" They turn into Soldiers.Richard Widmark, Karl Malden, and Director Richard Brooks Can Not Save this Conservative Piece of Propaganda and elevate it beyond the Mundane. The Soldiers mostly Overact, especially Russ Tamblyn, and the Film is made in such a Pedestrian way that as Entertainment it Fails Miserably.Unlike the WWII Films of the Forties, This one, Ironically like the Korean Conflict, comes Off as Half Hearted, listless, and Uncommitted. It is Truly one of the most Unimpressive Movies ever made about the Military, Soldiers, or War. A Failure from Frame One.Note The Movie does reflect the newly implemented integration of the Army and gives a Black Actor a prominent Role.
This is a very, very familiar sort of film. It features a group of raw recruits going through basic training with a tough as nails Sergeant--the same sort of thing you'd see in "Battle Cry", "Sands of Iwo Jima" and even "Full Metal Jacket" and a bazillion other war flicks made by Hollywood. There are only a few other differences--this was a Korean War-era film (and they didn't make all that many compared to the more 'popular' wars like WWII) and the Sergeant really is a nut-job! While other Sergeants SEEM like crazy men, Richard Widmark's version really is emotionally disturbed--like the sort of guy you might see on "The Jerry Springer Show" as they slap or get slapped by their woman! And, since there are so many BETTER but similar sorts of films, my recommendation is to see them first. This one isn't bad, but I just felt that the psychological aspects of it and the twisted relationship between Widmark and a lady me loved to emotionally torment really detracted from the movie.What to dislike about the film--Widmark was a nut. What to like--Karl Malden was very good, as always.
This is an overlooked military film about basic training during the Korean War. Although it's far less probing and gut-wrenching than "Full Metal Jacket," it's still an enjoyable movie with a stellar performance by Richard Widmark. It's one of his best roles. There are also fine performances by Karl Malden, Carleton Carpenter, Robert Arthur, a very athletic Russ Tamblyn, and Elaine Stewart delivers a poignant and tender portrayal as the troubled Julie (God, she is beautiful here!)Most of the scenes were shot at Fort Bliss, Texas. Yes, it's formula in many ways, but what makes it work is Widmark, surely one of the most underrated actors ever in the movies. He died in 2008 at the age of 93. For years, friends in the Motion Picture Academy tried to get him an honorary Oscar, but the votes were never there. So, watch "Take the High Ground" for Widmark. He'll evoke sympathy and you'll care about him. Oh,by the way,few actors have ever offered so many variations of a simple smile. You'll see them on display here. Young actors take note.
I could tell this plot less film would go downhill from the beginning. In the opening scene we see a platoon of soldiers attacking a North Korean position, and one of them casually stops for a drink and is shot by an enemy soldier with a U.S. Army M1 rifle! That a real soldier would do this under fire, and that the props department couldn't afford an AK-47 speaks volumes about this film.Then we go to Fort Bliss for what is supposed to be boot camp but is actually a summer camp for teenagers. I say this as an Army veteran.Richard Widmark was on loan to the studio that made this film, but I think he should have remained with his contract studio, for I don't believe "Take the High Ground" was a milestone of his career.