Copyright 27 January 1961 by Associated Producers, Inc. Released through 20th Century-Fox Film Corp. New York opening at neighborhood cinemas: 23 August 1961. U.S. release: February 1961. U.K. release: 24 March 1963 (sic). Australian release: 11 May 1961. 5,514 feet. 61 minutes. Cut to 5,097 feet or 56 minutes in Australia in order to gain a General Exhibition censorship certificate.
SYNOPSIS: This is a Korean War story which takes place on the line during the last hours before the "cease fire". The story starts with a brief attack by the Chinese in which a hard-bitten young private, Scharack (Jack Ging) distinguishes himself. A World War II veteran, Sergeant Sweatish (Doug Henderson) does less than his best.
Captain Tombolo (John Goddard), C.O. of the outfit, is a tough professional soldier who once showed cowardice; he now drives his men and himself because of it. His second in command is Lieutenant Peer (Gave De Lutri), a normal young man who plans to enter the business world when the war is over.
Tombolo is infuriated by the attack and orders a patrol action for that night. Peer is against this because the "cease fire" is so close. Meanwhile Scharack finds that he is not going to be rotated home. He blames Tombolo and defies him. He then hitches a ride to a tent hospital, pretending severe headaches, but is humiliated by the war-weary doctor. Upon returning, Tombolo assigns him to latrine duty.
VIEWERS' GUIDE: Adults.
COMMENT: The dialogue-bound story is as familiar as its Californian location terrain, but nevertheless, the director and his all-male group of players give this one an earnest go.
"Sniper's Ridge" is strictly for audiences that are not battle weary. It's true that the action sequences play effectively on the CinemaScope screen, but the trouble here is that there's simply not enough of this action material. Far too much television-style dialogue and watch-the-fireworks acting instead!
SYNOPSIS: This is a Korean War story which takes place on the line during the last hours before the "cease fire". The story starts with a brief attack by the Chinese in which a hard-bitten young private, Scharack (Jack Ging) distinguishes himself. A World War II veteran, Sergeant Sweatish (Doug Henderson) does less than his best.
Captain Tombolo (John Goddard), C.O. of the outfit, is a tough professional soldier who once showed cowardice; he now drives his men and himself because of it. His second in command is Lieutenant Peer (Gave De Lutri), a normal young man who plans to enter the business world when the war is over.
Tombolo is infuriated by the attack and orders a patrol action for that night. Peer is against this because the "cease fire" is so close. Meanwhile Scharack finds that he is not going to be rotated home. He blames Tombolo and defies him. He then hitches a ride to a tent hospital, pretending severe headaches, but is humiliated by the war-weary doctor. Upon returning, Tombolo assigns him to latrine duty.
VIEWERS' GUIDE: Adults.
COMMENT: The dialogue-bound story is as familiar as its Californian location terrain, but nevertheless, the director and his all-male group of players give this one an earnest go.
"Sniper's Ridge" is strictly for audiences that are not battle weary. It's true that the action sequences play effectively on the CinemaScope screen, but the trouble here is that there's simply not enough of this action material. Far too much television-style dialogue and watch-the-fireworks acting instead!