Review of A Walk in the Sun (1945) by Jim M — 21 Aug 2009
Italy, September 9 1943: A platoon of American's hits the beaches of Salerno, the main thrust of the Allied Invaision of Italy. The platoon LT and Sgt are quickly killed, leaving command to fall to a squad Sgt begging to show signs of "Battle Fatigue". Their objective is too march 6 miles inland, assault a farmhouse occupied by Germans and blow up a bridge. All the while casualties mount.
Unheralded masterpiece by Lewis Milestone and the 2nd part of his war trilogy (which includes All Quiet on the Western Front and Pork Chop Hill). Milestone never shows the big picture instead remaining relentlessly focused on this single platoon. We see confusion (where's the Sgt?) foolishness, determintation, weariness. Milestone spends time with the soldiers letting us get to know them, showing the boredom punctuated by quick moments of deadly action. A masterpiece.
This review of A Walk in the Sun (1945) was written by Jim M on 21 Aug 2009.
A Walk in the Sun has generally received positive reviews.
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