Battle at Bloody Beach (1961) User Reviews

Those With Reasonable Expectations Will Be Entertained

[ashew · 5/10 · 18 September 2006]

This movie gets beaten up on quite a bit by critics, so my expectations were as low as they could be before watching...perhaps that is why I was so surprised to find some nice moments in this film.

There is no question that this could never be considered a war classic, but to dismiss it outright simply by its reputation, or ones pre-conceived notions, is to do oneself a disservice. For being a low budget movie, there was some nice location shooting, quality set design, decent special effects (for the time), and good quality stock footage. There is some poor editing here and there, and a few technical goofs in the film, but, that aside, I must say that I found the direction to be quite good, overall, for a drive-in movie...and the score was nicely done, as well.

With only one or two exceptions, the cast was very competent, with Audie Murphy and Gary Crosby doing a nice job, as well as a few enjoyable performances supporting them. The plot had great potential, but the script was poorly written and we didn't get to spend enough time with the people we are supposed to care about. Dolores Michaels is gorgeous, so we can understand why Audie Murphy and Alejandro Rey would both be attracted to her, but she has no real chemistry with either man, so it is hard to get swept up in the love triangle. The characters are written to be very one-dimensional, so the plot points and drama never get a chance to make an impact.

The feeling I got at the end of watching this film was that all of the elements were there for a good movie, but it just missed. That being said, I give it a 5 out of 10 for the enjoyment of watching Audie Murphy, as well as a few nice acting and directorial moments. Prepare yourself for a 1960s drive-in movie level of quality, and you will find moments to enjoy throughout.

Good cast, but otherwise.........

[Panamint · 4/10 · 18 January 2007]

Small-scale story of individuals caught up in a giant war, as opposed to a big WWII blockbuster. Low-budget black and white movie, but that's OK since it is not a blockbuster. However, the combination of low budget, poor script and below-average direction prevents this film from being worthwhile. It appears to have been filmed very quickly, maybe in a matter of days or a couple of weeks.

Audie Murphy has a lot of screen "presence" and he elevates what is otherwise not much here. Dolores Michaels is great as always and very watchable. Her leading-lady talent is far above this insignificant movie. Alejandro Rey is watchable as he again elevates one of his many B-movie roles and TV appearances (he had a remarkable ability to do this).

The cheap California island location filming is surprisingly adequate as a substitute for the real would-be scene of the action.

Can't really recommend this, but the movie's stars outshine the material and are individually fine.

Audie Murphy vs the Japanese

[gordonl56 · 6/10 · 2 March 2016]

BATTLE AT BLOODY BEACH 1961

This WW2 film has Audie Murphy in the starring role. The action takes place on an unnamed island in the Philippines. Murphy, who had been working in the Islands at the time of the Japanese Invasion, was lucky enough to have escaped. He however was unable to save his wife in all the confusion. He is now helping the US supply various Philippine resistance groups with arms and ammo. These are landed at night by submarine. Murphy uses these trips to spend time looking for his lost wife who he is sure is still alive.

This time there is trouble right from the get go. When Murphy hits the beach to meet his underground contact, Gary Crosby, he is jumped by a pair of patrolling Japanese soldiers. There is a brisk bit of hand to hand before Murphy and Crosby dispose of the Japanese. They hide the corpses and hightail it into the hills to Crosby's jungle shack. That is where Crosby has his radio.

At the shack Murphy meets several members of Crosby's band of guerrillas. One of this group, Dale Isimoto, leads Murphy to a meeting with William Mims. Mims is an American leading his own bunch of men. They want Murphy to supply them with arms so they can fight the Japanese. This does not happen as Murphy discovers that Mims and his men are simply bandits robbing the locals.

Arriving on the scene now is a genuine guerrilla leader, Alejandro Rey. Rey's men and Mims bunch engage in a quick and bloody battle with Rey's men winning. With Rey, Murphy finds his wife, Dolores Michaels. While Murphy is happy as pie with the reunion, Michaels is not. Thinking Murphy had been killed in the invasion, Michaels and Rey have been doing a bit of horizontal Mambo. Michaels now loves Rey.

Rey brings in all the Americans who have been hiding in the hills so they can be lifted by the submarine. Murphy agrees to this and will give Rey the rifles etc that he brought. Murphy is somewhat surprised when Michaels tells him she is staying with Rey.

Anyways, before the civilians can be taken out to the sub a large force of Japanese interrupt the proceedings. The Americans hide out in a wrecked ship on the beach and manage to fight off the Japanese assault. The Japanese send for a couple of mortars and begin to plaster the ship killing off the Americans one by one. It is only the last minute arrival of Rey's men that rout the Nipponese and save the day. Michaels has now decided that she does still love Murphy and will leave with him.

This is at best an average war film. It suffers from some not so good acting by the supporting cast as well as slipshod editing and direction. Murphy, Michaels and Crosby are however decent and do their best.

The director, Herbert Colman had worked with Murphy on the western POSSE FROM HELL. Colman had been a second unit director on 5 Hitchcock films including VERTIGO, TO CATCH A THIEF and REAR WINDOW. The man would soon end up working on the TV series, GILLIGAN'S ISLAND.

The story and screenplay, which should have been better, was by Hollywood veteran, Richard Maibaum. Maibaum wrote the story or screenplay for, THE GREAT GATSBY, I WANTED WINGS, O.S.S., THE RED BERET, HELL BELOW ZERO, RANSOM, GOLDFINGER, DR NO, FROM Russia WITH LOVE, THUNDERBALL and THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN.

Look close and you can see Ivan Dixon in an early role. Dixon would become famous as one of men in the 1960's TV hit, HOGAN'S HEROES.

Audie Murphy was a Hero

[mark_reader · 3/10 · 17 December 2007]

I was at the premiere of this movie in San Diego. And yes, it was a pretty awful movie. In fact, I can not remember any thing about the movie. So why am I writing this review? Because I knew Audie Murphy, and was on the location set while filming aboard the submarine. Audie was not in the best frame of mind during this movie, often looking depressed. Even the camera man was concerned. But when called to do his scenes, Audie did his best. As for the movie itself, I can only guess it is best forgotten, because I am certain Audie never included it in his best performances. I don't think it is on DVD, and probably never will be. The battle at bloody beach was also part of the battle going on in Murphy's head.

Ruth: We all thought that you were Dead? Craig : Well I'm Not! Sorry!

[sol1218 · 6/10 · 26 December 2006]

(There are Spoilers) WWII movie involving a love triangle that takes placed on a Japanese occupied island in the Philippines. Since the fall of the Philippines in the spring of 1942 to the Japanese Army US contractor and foodstuff and ammunition supplier Craig Benson, Audie Murphy, has been trying to find out if his wife Ruth, Dolores Michaels, is either alive or dead. Sneaking onto the island to make contact with his US Army contemporary Sgt. Sackler, Gary Crosby, Craig is told that there are a number of guerrilla units in the area. Craig and his Philippine guide, provided to him by Sgt. Sackler, Blanco (Dale Ishimoto) hook up with this group of guerrilla's lead by an American named M'Keever, Williams Mims.

It turns out that this M'Keever is nothing but a black market hustler who's playing both sides, the Japanese Army and Filipino guerrillas, down the middle and only want's the guns and supplies that Craig would supply to him and his men in order to sell them to the highest bidder. Attacked by M'Keever and his men when he got wise to him Craig and Blanco are then rescued by a real group of Philippine guerrillas lead by their handsome and charismatic leader Julio Fontana, Alejandro Rey. It's later found out to Craig's shock and surprise that his wife Ruth is part of Fontana's guerrilla unit and not only that she's also in loved with him.

One of the few WWII movie's that authentic, not made in Hollywood, WWII war hero Audie Murphy ever made has him in hot water almost as soon as he lands on the island. With the Japanese attacking both Craig and the people, mostly American civilians, that he's assigned to bring back with him on a US submarine to Australia. Audie, or Craig Benson,is very troubled over his wife leaving him for another man, Julio, but the fact that he was thought to have been killed in the fighting against the Japanese in Battan/Carrigador two years earlier didn't mean that Ruth, whom at the time he was married to for about a week, betrayed or deserted him.

With the US submarine delayed in it being spotted by a Japanese cruiser off shore Carig and Sgt. Sackler and about a dozen American and Filipino's hide out on an old battered and run aground ship waiting for either to be rescued by the US Navy or die fighting the Japanese Army.

The Japanese, after they were first repulsed in very heavy fighting, in the person of Let. Lloyd Kino give the Americans an hour to surrender with Craig, who's a civilian combatant and not in uniform, to be shot if he surrenders or not; or else face a barrage of murderous Japanese artillery and mortar fire that would tear them and the ship that their hiding in apart.

Earlier during the heavy fighting with the Japanese Sgt.Sackler dived into the ocean and in him trying to get to a nearby island for help and is attacked and killed by a shark. Picking up the ball, in so many words, and running with Craig goes on foot into the jungle to seek help from guerrilla units that are said to be in the area. Later when the Japanses are just about to overrun the ship and kill everyone on it, including Craig's estranged wife Ruth, Craig comes riding to their rescue with a full Philippine guerrilla company who put the Japanese attacker out on their heels and running for their lives.

Heart-lifting ending with Ruth deciding to go back with Craig to the US submarine and the safety of friendly Australia instead of staying with Julio in his battle to liberate his people from the Japanese. For a while you would have thought that being with Jullio for some two years in the Philippine jungles would make Ruth forget about Craig, whom she thought was dead anyway. It's when Ruth was reunited with Craig and seeing just what a kind as well as the both modest, which Audie Murphy was in real life, and heroic person that he really was how in all sincerity could she let someone like him, who's just too good to be true, ever get away from her!

Still a hero

[david-86864 · 2/10 · 31 December 2015]

What is there to add regarding this cinematic failure? It has a lot to dislike, including it's terribly written script; vacant, dull and useless film space, and lack of convincing combat. Without a doubt, it is one of Audie Murphy's worst choices -- to act in this horribly boring, low budget flick.

Just why do well known actors do this? Maybe Audie was in dire need of the little cash this part provided him. I tell myself, had I known him personally, that I could have taught him how to manage his finances and to resist gambling. He could have been amazingly well situated, free from the need to pick up the spare change such cheap diversions earned him; but, we must not forget, he fought an inward battle as well with PTSD, which can halt a man's perspective of his entire history: past, present and future. He will do anything to attempt to rid himself of his thoughts when he's alone.

Still, we continue to hold Audie Murphy dear, and are always willing to give him praise and honor no matter his choices. Why? Because he truly was a hero. An inwardly torn one, for sure, yet still a notable figure.

Had someone in his life known more, maybe that person could have helped him, saved him from his own destructive thoughts and behaviors. Unfortunately, so little was truly understood of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in those days, which, even today, men and women, victims of having experienced life in harm's way, continue to battle within themselves.

After working nearly thirty years in a VA hospital, I've seen men return home with it. Relationships suffer, insomnia takes a toll, and poor habits and addictions latch hold. Withdrawing from the world may also set in. Whatever the symptom, these men deserve our lasting respect and honor.

Battle at Bloody Beach

[CinemaSerf · 6/10 · 25 August 2023]

No amount of charisma from Audie Murphy was ever going to be able to rescue this from obscurity. Determined to emulate other stars of his era and move away from the declining Western genre with which he had some success, he takes on the role as American civilian "Benson" who works with the local Filipino population following the Japanese invasion of the islands during WWII. It's not really up to much, this film - a sort of rose-tinted look at the aftermath of the occupation that really focusses more on his determination to find "Ruth" (Dolores Michaels) rather than for any more laudable cause - he ends up helping because of her, rather than for any principle. It's strangely flat and un-engaging; there is some action but for the most part it rumbles along for 80 minutes with an inevitability about it that is quite dull and entirely predictable with a star far from his best.

Audie Murphy mows 'em down!

[moonspinner55 · 5/10 · 27 May 2007]

I've often wondered how WWII action flicks played with audiences of the early 1960s--did movie-goers still feel patriotic about them or was there a sense that it was time to move on from stories pitting Americans against the ruthless Japanese? Here, married Audie Murphy sails the Pacific searching for his missing spouse, eventually finding her on an island in the Phillipines along with a band of Americans and Polynesians being threatened by the relentless Japanese army. In Audie's absence, his Mrs. has taken up the guerrilla fighter's cause--and with thin-but-swarthy soldier Alejandro Rey!--but when they're surrounded by bloodthirsty Japs, the group must put aside their differences long enough to survive. Typical war movie, though with the added pleasure of some campy action and not-bad black-and-white cinematography. Murphy was never much of an actor, but here his stolid manner is a relief from all the hysteria. The director shows absolutely no sympathy for the dead or the dying (on either side), but the central romantic situation is handled with surprising skill and the climactic battle, though hurt by choppy editing, is nevertheless involving. ** from ****

Sign-Post of the Road to Oblivion During the Under-Rated Film Career of Audie Murphy

[LeonLouisRicci · 7/10 · 22 September 2023]

During His 2-Decade Career as an Actor, Following His Heroism in WWII (most decorated including MOH),

the Good-Looking, Baby-Faced Audie Murphy, seemed to be Straight From the "Matinee Idol" Manual at "Hollywood Central Casting".

What's Not to Like? A Match Made in Heaven! A War-Hero, with Killer Good-Looks, Plenty of Charisma, Fresh?, from the Battlefield, Ready to Follow a New Path of Civillain Life in America that was a Fertile Growing Ground for the Citizens that Served Their Country Honorably.

Well, PTSD was a Neglected "Stigma" that Hurt a Lot of Soldier's Dreams and "Paths"...

"Murph", was Not Shielded from the Post-War Adjustments that Many found Challenging.

Dealing with a Little Researched Phenomena (once called "Battle-Shock" or "Battle-Fatigue) and the "Mental-Health" Resources was Still a "Work In Progress", to Say the Least.

So there was that...The Recurring "Nightmares" that Resulted in a .45 Under the Pillow, a Gambling Addiction Along with Poor Money-Management, a "Hair-Trigger" Violent Temper, and a "Lost-Soul" Demeanor were some of the Coping in Store for the Returning Vet on His Road to Full-Fill the"American-Dream.

In the 50's He Enjoyed Many Successes Making Movies.

His Films were Patronized and Enjoyed by Movie-Goers, but Usually Not with Critics, were Always Money-Makers with Good to Excellent Box-Office.

Most of His Movies, though Not All, were Rightfully Called "B-Movies", the Majority were Westerns with a "Sprinkle" of Other Genres in the Mix.

Audie Murphy was Understandably Reluctant to "Star"in and Avoided Making "War" Movies,

although His Auto-Biography "To Hell and Back" (1955), where "Murph" Played Himself was a Critical and Fan Favorite.

The Talented and Under-Rated Actor Only Made 2 Other "War-Movies", this is 1, although He does Play a Civilian Contractor.

He is Supplying Guns and Ammo, and Other Aid to the Philippines and Their Fight Against the "Jap-Invaders".

He is Also Searching for His Estranged Wife (Gloria Michaels) that He Hasn't Seen Since the Honeymoon. He Finds Her on One of the Islands.

Thinking He was Dead (after 2 Years) She is Now "In-Love" with a "Freedom Fighter" (Gary Crosby, Son of Bing). Unfortunately, a Second "Battle" has Been Engaged.

It Won't be as Bloody as the One on the Beach, but Just as Volatile and Important to the Story. Directed by Herbert Coleman, Known for "Associate Producer" Roles, Notably with Hitchcock,

the Much-Maligned Script was Written by Richard Maibaum who went to Fame and Fortune Penning James Bond Movies.

This is Low on the "Audie Murphy Filmography Scale" that No-One has Anything Good to Say About. It's Not Bad, It's just Not that Good.

The Romantic Triangle is Awkward. Where the Movie Succeeds is Giving a Voice to the Philippine People,

and the Bloody Beach Battle Delivers the Goods, with an Off-Beat Death of Murphy's Friend and Resistant-Leader, Alejandro Rey.

Despite the Hatred of the Many...

Worth a Watch.

Bloody Ridiculous

[bkoganbing · 2/10 · 11 May 2007]

Battle at Bloody Beach was one of Audie Murphy's attempts to get away from the western casting where he did so well and should have stayed in his career. It bears some resemblance to John Wayne's Back to Bataan and Tyrone Power's An American Guerrilla in the Phillipines in subject matter.

But the latter had the advantage of great color cinematography and was shot in the actual scenes of the Phillipines. This particular cheapie was done on Catalina, it looks like it was done over a couple of long weekends.

The plot as it were has Murphy as an American running supplies to the Filipino insurrectionists and discovering his wife, Dolores Michaels believing he was dead, having taken up with Filipino guerrilla Alejandro Rey both politically and personally. That leads to some tense moments as Murphy leads some refugees away from the oncoming Japanese.

The battle itself is the climax as Murphy with Gary Crosby and assorted help mows down row after row of charging Japanese. Now why the Japanese commander didn't size up the situation and wait for some artillery before getting all his troops slaughtered in a charge is a mystery to me.

I'll be willing to bet that somewhere in the financing of this film was Gary's father who was always doing things like that for his sons. Good thing Bing had the sense to keep his name off the credits if he did.

A Budget So Low They Couldn't Afford Any Blood

[aimless-46 · 1/10 · 24 September 2006]

Although only 45 years since it was made, almost everyone associated with the "Battle AT (not of) Bloody Beach" (actors-writers-directors) has been dead for a while now. It is unlikely that this project was given a prominent spot in any of their obits.

I'm one of the unlucky few who paid to see this in a theater during its original summer of 1961 release. This type of low budget black and white junk was typical Saturday matinée fodder-although I think "Battle At Bloody Beach" was weak even by those standards. As a ten year-old who loved to play army the title was a real draw. We were driven to the theater by my friend's uncle who had us laughing the whole trip with funny variations on the title.

The trip to the theater was a lot more entertaining than the movie. There is a beach, Catalina Island impersonating a small island in the Philippines during WWII, but there is no blood-just some fake looking combat and "day for night" filming. The middle (65% of the total running time) of the movie showcases a long hike by an assorted group of civilians from one side of the island to the other.

The Japanese invaded the Philippines and other territories as part of their plans to create what they called a Greater East Asian Co-Prosperity Sphere. Basically the idea was to expel foreign economic and military interests and to set up governments agreeable to Japan's plans for the region. Japan's industrial development was dependent on these areas for raw materials like oil, rubber, and iron ore.

The Japanese are essentially faceless and behave moronically (tactically and otherwise), about the same treatment Japan got in propaganda films made during the war.

There is a plot of sorts. Sgt. Marty Sackler (Gary Crosby) of the U. S. Army is living on a Japanese occupied island supplying Filipino insurgents with weapons to resist the Japanese occupation. Craig Benson (Audie Murphy), a civilian, comes to the island by submarine to set up a resistance network. He is also looking for his wife Ruth (Dolores Michaels) who he had to leave behind when he evacuated the place at the start of the war. Meanwhile she has fallen for Alejandro Rey who seems to be some kind of revolutionary insurgent.

This is an incredibly lousy film which is rarely shown, so it should be easy to avoid. If you are forced to watch just be glad you are not a 10-year-old who just blew part of his meager allowance for a ticket.

Then again, what do I know? I'm only a child.

Mundane, predictable, not even enjoyable

[drystyx · 1/10 · 11 January 2007]

Audie Murphy made a lot of exciting movies, so how did he ever appear in this "thing"? By the standards of yesteryear it was as weak and pitiful as it is today. Murphy searches for his wife during World War 2 on a Japanese held island. There is a very mundane love triangle which no one cares about. The other characters are weeded out predictably and in the most contrived of scripts. It is by far the worst script Murphy has accepted that I know of. There is some action, but it is very hard to care. The film could have been taped in two hours, the way it looked. Historically, it has no value, either. Don't look for great acting. Murphy tries, but for what?

An overloaded melodrama!

[JohnHowardReid · 5/10 · 4 November 2017]

Audie Murphy (Craig Benson), Gary Crosby (Marty Sackler), Dolores Michaels (Ruth Benson), Alejandro Rey (Julio Fontana), Marjorie Stapp (Caroline Pelham), Barry Atwater (Jeff Pelham), E.J. Andre (Dr Van Bart), Dale Ishimoto (Blanco), Miriam Colon (Nahni), Pilar Seurat (Camota), Lillian Bronson (Delia Ellis), William Mims (M'Keever), Ivan Dixon (Tiger Blair), Kevin Brodie (Timmy Thompson), Sara Anderson (Mrs Thompson), Lloyd Kino (Japanese lieutenant).

Director: HERBERT COLEMAN. Screenplay: Richard Maibaum, Willard Willingham. Based on a story by Richard Maibaum. Photography: Kenneth Peach. Supervising film editor: Jodie Copelan. Music composed and conducted by Henry Vars. Art director: John Mansbridge. Set decorations: Harry Reif. Wardrobe: Robert Olivas. Make-up: Vincent Romaine. Script supervisor: George Rutter. Property master: Wilbur L. Russell. Photographed in black-and-white CinemaScope. CinemaScope lenses by Bausch & Lomb. Production supervisor: Harold E. Knox. Assistant director: Francisco Day. Sound editor: Jack Cornall. Sound: Jack Solomon, Frank McWhorter. Sound facilities: Glen Glenn Sound Company. Producer: Richard Maibaum. Executive producer: Robert L. Lippert. An API Production for 20th Century-Fox. 2nd assistant director: George Batcheller. Made with the co- operation of the United States Defense Department and the United States Navy.

Copyright 1 June 1961 by Associated Producers, Inc. New York opening at neighborhood theaters: 16 August 1961. U.S. release: June 1961. U.K. release: 23 July 1961. Never theatrically released in Australia. 80 minutes.

U.K. release title: BATTLE ON THE BEACH.

SYNOPSIS: During the Jap invasion of the Philippines, an American aids the guerrillas.

VIEWER'S GUIDE: Not suitable for children.

COMMENT: Yet another of those U.S.-Filipino war pics, this one is more routine than most. The direction only comes to life during the climactic battle. The rest of the film is pretty dull sledding, despite a few brief bursts of action and a heroine who tends to be more sultry than the script requires.

OTHER VIEWS: Set during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines, with Audie Murphy involved in a distinctly uneasy blend of marital problems and melodramatic heroics. The director handles the action scenes competently but both he and his cast are at the mercy of the unconvincing script when it comes to the personal affairs of the characters. It all rings much too hollow and the result is an overloaded melodramatic hodge-podge. — E.V.D.

Stiff, talky "action" picture

[frankfob · 3/10 · 13 June 2013]

Audie Murphy was actually a better actor than he was usually given credit for--he did excellent work in "The Red Badge of Courage" and his own biography, "To Hell and Back"--but you couldn't tell by this low-rent war picture. Murphy pretty much walks through the picture, although co- star Alejandro Rey tries to breathe some life into it. The sloppy direction, poor script, overacting by Gary Crosby (as usual), tired performance by a tired-looking Dolores Michaels and its overall cheesiness combine to make this picture definitely one of Murphy's lesser efforts. A burst of not particularly well done action at the end can't really save it. The ending is predictable, trite and not even remotely believable. Overall, pretty much of a dud.

A world war has many stories. This one is virtually plotless.

[mark.waltz · 4/10 · 23 May 2020]

Okay, so there is a shell of a story and some story, but it has been told with better detail and performances and characters you really rooted for. there's not much of an opportunity to get to know the two leading characters here, played by Audie Murphy and Gary Crosby even though they do give decent performances, along with Alejandro Rey and Dolores Michaels. This is another World War II saga, this one dealing with life in the Philippines during the Japanese occupation and the attempt of soldiers Murphy, Crosby and Rey to help some Americans escape and get away from the dangerous situation.

Made on a low budget and in black and white, it has plenty of action and it's certainly not boring, but it lacks a solid script and direction. The only conflict really occurs when Murphy's wofe, Michaels, shows up looking for him, having left their house in the Philippines where they had lived before. The other characters are typical cliches, a self-centered fading glamour queen, a perfectly sweet old lady as a young boy who witnessed his mother being killed by the Japanese. This isn't a bad film, just nothing really exciting or new in the way of war films, pretty much exactly like dozens of films that have come before with just a little bit more violence added.