"Sniper's Ridge" was at the peak of something that was happening to war movies in the 1950s.
Although some of the tactics are ridiculous, the equipment and sets look realistic enough in this small-scale film. However it's the idea behind it that counts.
The opening sequence has a platoon of American soldiers totally monstered by North Korean troops. Everyone hides, including the sergeant. The only effective soldier in the outfit saves them by pretty much performing his duty. The company commander, whose cowardice is exposed by a new arrival, petulantly orders his reluctant soldiers to attack hours before the ceasefire.
Hardly a recruitment film.
These days we are used to cynical portrayals of the military often still as a backlash against the Vietnam War. However, 1961s "Sniper's Ridge" already showed the changing attitudes towards service and even patriotism.
Movies exaggerate and distort for the sake of drama or even an agenda, but whether or not they reflect the truth, they do create a perception.
Maybe Korea coming so close to the end of WW2 caused this shift. Earlier movies celebrated the allied victory and bravery of the military during the war. However Korea caught everyone napping. America dug deep, reservists called up and draftees filling out the ranks, but the "police action" was different to the effort in WW2. Movies of the 50s reflected this. Although some movies were still about WW2, many took on a cynical edge.
The cowardly captain in "Sniper's Ridge" had cinematic company. Look at Captain Cooney in "Attack" and Captain "Waco" Grimes in "Between Heaven and Hell", both in 1956. Then there was "The Bridges at Toko-Ri"; Navy fliers in Korea asking, "Why am I here"?
The guys in the Hollywood military weren't just following orders anymore they were questioning everything. And it was happening in the movies of other countries as well.
"Pork Chop Hill", made in 1959, but based on fact, showed American soldiers well led by competent officers. Still the overall disillusionment with the Korean conflict comes through, and some of the soldiers definitely represented the social issues of the 50s.
The baby boomers that went to Vietnam were brought up on those movies, which helped shape attitudes. Anyone viewing "Sniper's Ridge" in that context would have guessed that Vietnam would be even more problematic.
Although some of the tactics are ridiculous, the equipment and sets look realistic enough in this small-scale film. However it's the idea behind it that counts.
The opening sequence has a platoon of American soldiers totally monstered by North Korean troops. Everyone hides, including the sergeant. The only effective soldier in the outfit saves them by pretty much performing his duty. The company commander, whose cowardice is exposed by a new arrival, petulantly orders his reluctant soldiers to attack hours before the ceasefire.
Hardly a recruitment film.
These days we are used to cynical portrayals of the military often still as a backlash against the Vietnam War. However, 1961s "Sniper's Ridge" already showed the changing attitudes towards service and even patriotism.
Movies exaggerate and distort for the sake of drama or even an agenda, but whether or not they reflect the truth, they do create a perception.
Maybe Korea coming so close to the end of WW2 caused this shift. Earlier movies celebrated the allied victory and bravery of the military during the war. However Korea caught everyone napping. America dug deep, reservists called up and draftees filling out the ranks, but the "police action" was different to the effort in WW2. Movies of the 50s reflected this. Although some movies were still about WW2, many took on a cynical edge.
The cowardly captain in "Sniper's Ridge" had cinematic company. Look at Captain Cooney in "Attack" and Captain "Waco" Grimes in "Between Heaven and Hell", both in 1956. Then there was "The Bridges at Toko-Ri"; Navy fliers in Korea asking, "Why am I here"?
The guys in the Hollywood military weren't just following orders anymore they were questioning everything. And it was happening in the movies of other countries as well.
"Pork Chop Hill", made in 1959, but based on fact, showed American soldiers well led by competent officers. Still the overall disillusionment with the Korean conflict comes through, and some of the soldiers definitely represented the social issues of the 50s.
The baby boomers that went to Vietnam were brought up on those movies, which helped shape attitudes. Anyone viewing "Sniper's Ridge" in that context would have guessed that Vietnam would be even more problematic.