While the film did seem awfully long (and this is a very rare thing for me to complain about), this was an exceptionally well-made war movie. Instead of the usual overly glorified war flick that makes war almost look fun or exciting, this film is like a real ordeal for the soldiers--and in a way, for the audience as well. It was very, very realistic (though according to IMDb, the Brits and Aussies were NOT pleased that it made it look the the Americans did all the work, as they apparently were the ones who re-took Burma--oops).
This film was unusual for Errol Flynn because he was normally known much more for period adventure movies or romance--not contemporary war films. However, despite his "pretty boy" image, he did a wonderful job in this film as the leader of a parachute assault team caught behind enemy lines. In fact, the film was just chock full of excellent character actors who did a great job. I also noticed that the usual Warner Brothers formula for these supporting actors was absent. Instead of the usual kooky or endearing supporting regulars like Frank McHugh or Allan Jenkins, the cast is made up more of "normal" type guys. The only really familiar face among Flynn's troops was George Tobias, though he acted more like a normal guy and not his usual persona. This really improved the film and made it seem like a slice of reality instead of a typical back lot production. In fact, I don't know where they filmed the movie, but it didn't look like the Warner lot with typical fake looking plants--the palms, undergrowth, etc. made it look like a tropical jungle. The film was realistic in many other ways. The biggest way were the long dull stretches between action. It was realistic to include them, though occasionally it made the film drag a bit.
There were a few other poor aspects of the film, though they were easily over-shadowed by the good. Seeing Tobias yank a pin out of a grenade then throw it was just stupid and a great way to rip out your teeth. I am sure that every military person watching this cringed at this ridiculous scene (though dentists might applaud the scene, as it will help to create more business)! Also, occasionally the stock footage they used was of very poor quality so it didn't integrate very seamlessly due to its being grainy (a common problem with WWII films). The worst of the spliced footage, though, was when a C-47 transport plane became a C-46 and then switched back again! While probably noticeable mostly to neurotic airplane lovers like myself, this is just a stupid error---especially since the planes really don't look all that similar.
This film was unusual for Errol Flynn because he was normally known much more for period adventure movies or romance--not contemporary war films. However, despite his "pretty boy" image, he did a wonderful job in this film as the leader of a parachute assault team caught behind enemy lines. In fact, the film was just chock full of excellent character actors who did a great job. I also noticed that the usual Warner Brothers formula for these supporting actors was absent. Instead of the usual kooky or endearing supporting regulars like Frank McHugh or Allan Jenkins, the cast is made up more of "normal" type guys. The only really familiar face among Flynn's troops was George Tobias, though he acted more like a normal guy and not his usual persona. This really improved the film and made it seem like a slice of reality instead of a typical back lot production. In fact, I don't know where they filmed the movie, but it didn't look like the Warner lot with typical fake looking plants--the palms, undergrowth, etc. made it look like a tropical jungle. The film was realistic in many other ways. The biggest way were the long dull stretches between action. It was realistic to include them, though occasionally it made the film drag a bit.
There were a few other poor aspects of the film, though they were easily over-shadowed by the good. Seeing Tobias yank a pin out of a grenade then throw it was just stupid and a great way to rip out your teeth. I am sure that every military person watching this cringed at this ridiculous scene (though dentists might applaud the scene, as it will help to create more business)! Also, occasionally the stock footage they used was of very poor quality so it didn't integrate very seamlessly due to its being grainy (a common problem with WWII films). The worst of the spliced footage, though, was when a C-47 transport plane became a C-46 and then switched back again! While probably noticeable mostly to neurotic airplane lovers like myself, this is just a stupid error---especially since the planes really don't look all that similar.