Review of The Young Lions (1958) by Morgan M — 09 Jul 2007

Somehow this film had slipped under my radar until recently. And man I am glad I finally found it. The cast is absolutely marvelous. Marlon Brando was truly untouchable in the 1950's. His prowess and capabilities to bring honesty and sympathy to every character he ever played.

and no one can deny the skill of Montgomery Clift. I was also thrilled to see Dean Martin do such a fantastic job. The film was really one of his very first turns at drama, and the traditionally comic actor stayed step for step with Clift (his frequent scene partner).

Cast aside, the film is worth watching for its bold stance on war. In an era in Hollywood when WWII pictures were made to glorify the battle of good v. evil and the likes of John Wayne and Henry Fonda were heroically saving the world from oppression this film had the guts to say: War is hell and there is no such thing as black and white.

The three hero's of the picture are a sympathetic Nazi that is a victim of circumstance (a ghastly thought in 50's america), A drunk draft dodger, and a young soldier with a severe pride and temper problem.

I can't recall John Wayne ever needing a shrink the way these soldiers do. The film is years ahead of its time and the performances are all solid as hell. See this movie!