In "Battle Cry", there is more crying than battling, especially in the first half of the film. The story follows new marines as they leave home, engage in training, and become involved in actual deployment. There is a concentration on their relationships, particularly romantic relationships.
One marine has a girl at home, but becomes involved with another woman. A second marine finds a war widow from New Zealand to become involved with. Regardless of the scenario, the logistics of these relationships is difficult, given the wartime stresses and the uncertain futures of these men.
For me, these sections of the film were overly dramatic. The film is also plagued with clichés. This is too bad, because some portions of the film are excellent, only to be submarined by awkward writing.
Look for the tough-but-loving commanders. In fact, this is a staple of the film, which begins to feel like a commercial for the marine corps.
On a technical level, some of the scenes of tropical jungle look as if they were filmed in the California woods.
The extensive cast is impressive. Consider Van Heflin, James Whitmore, Raymond Massey, Tab Hunter, Aldo Ray, Dorothy Malone, Anne Francis, among others. Fess Parker makes a cameo appearance.
The Leon Uris screenplay, based upon one of his novels, falls short of "From Here to Eternity" quality, though it tries to be as expansive. Nevertheless, it's interesting to see what WWII looked like to those only ten years removed from its drama.
One marine has a girl at home, but becomes involved with another woman. A second marine finds a war widow from New Zealand to become involved with. Regardless of the scenario, the logistics of these relationships is difficult, given the wartime stresses and the uncertain futures of these men.
For me, these sections of the film were overly dramatic. The film is also plagued with clichés. This is too bad, because some portions of the film are excellent, only to be submarined by awkward writing.
Look for the tough-but-loving commanders. In fact, this is a staple of the film, which begins to feel like a commercial for the marine corps.
On a technical level, some of the scenes of tropical jungle look as if they were filmed in the California woods.
The extensive cast is impressive. Consider Van Heflin, James Whitmore, Raymond Massey, Tab Hunter, Aldo Ray, Dorothy Malone, Anne Francis, among others. Fess Parker makes a cameo appearance.
The Leon Uris screenplay, based upon one of his novels, falls short of "From Here to Eternity" quality, though it tries to be as expansive. Nevertheless, it's interesting to see what WWII looked like to those only ten years removed from its drama.