General Douglas MacArthur was a controversial figure in his time, and this 1977 film biography relates the basic events of his public life, which includes open conflicts with two U.S. presidents. Book-ended by a speech to West Pointe cadets, the film flashes back to MacArthur's most famous exploits, which include his defense of Corregidor and subsequent flight to Australia, his decision to defend that country in New Guinea, and the fulfillment of his promise to return and liberate the Philippines. Unfortunately, unlike the earlier movie biography of George S. Patton, "MacArthur" lacks fire in its title performance and creativity in its pedestrian direction. The film resembles a history lesson and utilizes newsreels and extensive expository dialog. Despite combat sequences, the pace is often sluggish, and slows further during the second half, which covers events following World War II. The jump cuts between combat and non-combat scenes seem arbitrary and made to enliven the film and keep viewer attention from lagging.
While Gregory Peck is solid and convincing as the five-star general and bears a strong resemblance to the historical MacArthur, the focus is on the public MacArthur and little is revealed about the man himself. Although Peck hints at emotion during his visit to Death March survivors and a tender reunion with his Filipino driver, he has few opportunities show the human being behind the five stars. Although his wife and son hover in the background, little interaction is shown, and Marj Dusay as his wife has a thankless role that is little more than wall paper. The conflicts with Franklin Roosevelt, played by Dan O'Herlihy, and Harry Truman are detailed; Ed Flanders as the no-nonsense Truman is especially fine, and the actor bears a strong resemblance to the president. While the rest of the cast is professional, none stand out.
"MacArthur" is an unfortunate lost opportunity, because the general was a fascinating historical character who deserved an on-screen treatment on par with George C. Scott's "Patton." Peck was excellent casting, and he had the acting chops to rise to Scott's level, but the script by Hal Barwood and Matthew Robbins did not provide him the opportunity. "MacArthur" is a competent and creditable film that serves to introduce film-goers to a heroic giant of the Pacific Theater during World War II, who remains a hero in the Philippines, a country he evidently loved and that he liberated from the Japanese. However, those intrigued by the historical MacArthur will have to dig beyond this broad-brush portrait to discover the man who kept his promise to return and free the Philippines, defied a U.S. president, and nearly became president himself.
While Gregory Peck is solid and convincing as the five-star general and bears a strong resemblance to the historical MacArthur, the focus is on the public MacArthur and little is revealed about the man himself. Although Peck hints at emotion during his visit to Death March survivors and a tender reunion with his Filipino driver, he has few opportunities show the human being behind the five stars. Although his wife and son hover in the background, little interaction is shown, and Marj Dusay as his wife has a thankless role that is little more than wall paper. The conflicts with Franklin Roosevelt, played by Dan O'Herlihy, and Harry Truman are detailed; Ed Flanders as the no-nonsense Truman is especially fine, and the actor bears a strong resemblance to the president. While the rest of the cast is professional, none stand out.
"MacArthur" is an unfortunate lost opportunity, because the general was a fascinating historical character who deserved an on-screen treatment on par with George C. Scott's "Patton." Peck was excellent casting, and he had the acting chops to rise to Scott's level, but the script by Hal Barwood and Matthew Robbins did not provide him the opportunity. "MacArthur" is a competent and creditable film that serves to introduce film-goers to a heroic giant of the Pacific Theater during World War II, who remains a hero in the Philippines, a country he evidently loved and that he liberated from the Japanese. However, those intrigued by the historical MacArthur will have to dig beyond this broad-brush portrait to discover the man who kept his promise to return and free the Philippines, defied a U.S. president, and nearly became president himself.