Review of The Long Gray Line (1955) by Grant S — 02 Apr 2011
A lesser-known John Ford gem. Great true-life drama, the story of an NCO, Marty Maher, who spent 50 years - his entire Army career - at Westpoint. Starts off quite lamely, in a juvenile fashion, but gets better and better the longer it goes on. Admittedly, the sentimentality is laid on rather thick, but you don't mind the manipulation.
Ford's direction is spot-on. The colours are lush, the camera angles perfect, the pacing precise and consistent.
Tyrone Power is excellent in the lead role. The supporting cast - Maureen O'Hara especially - are superb too.
For a history buff like me, one of the great aspects of the movie is the references to great historical military figures. If you consider that Marty Maher spent 50 years at Westpoint, from about 1900-1950, he would have met every officer produced by Westpoint in that period. Some of those officers are mentioned or represented - Eisenhower, Omar Bradley, Pershing, Patton, MacArthur. Westpoint's influence on US military history is huge, and successful.
This review of The Long Gray Line (1955) was written by Grant S on 02 Apr 2011.
The Long Gray Line has generally received positive reviews.
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