Review of The Steel Helmet (1951) by Donovan D — 26 Sep 2007

Excellent war movie by B-Movie auteur Samuel Fuller. Made for $100,000 and shot on a 10-day schedule, the film exceeds the expectations of what can be done on so low a budget. Gene Evans as the sardonic Sergeant Zack is a revelation, and Fuller's direction and screenwriting is sympathetic and laced with social commentary advanced for the times.

There are some moments where the acting from the supporting cast is uneven, and the fog scene is clearly shot on a soundstage but the final, frenzied battle scene outshines many films with larger budgets.

While The Steel Helmet may not be the equal of Fuller's war masterpiece The Big Red One, in its own way The Steel Helmet has every right to be considered a classic.