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The Young Lions

The Young Lions

List Price: $14.98
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Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Brando shines; one of the more thought provoking WWII movies
Review: THE YOUNG LIONS: a splendid WWII movie with perspectives of Marlon Brando as the brooding German Lt., who suppresses his individualism for the good of the state, and the two American perspectives (played by Montgomery cliff and Dean Martin....DEAN MARTIN? How did he get in there). Poignant, memorable and in the end, tragic for Brando. Issues of duty, identity, sacrifice and love.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Flaws of the Jungle .........
Review: THIS is the one where - I believe Brando said "If he crucifies himself on the barbed wire, I'm off the show!" [referring to fellow method thespian - Montgomery Clift]. Don't let that deter you - this is a good movie and close enough to WW11 [1958] no "historical research" here folks - that's obvious, and this one hits so close in so many ways. Clift as the American Jewish soldier, subject to so much abuse from his fellow pals, and then some. Dean Martin [Dean Martin?], in a not so comic turn, and excellent as the cynical guy. Then there's also Brando, a blonde propaganda poster boy - yep, he sure turned heads! Complete with the accent, pity though that some of the novel did not quite make it to the final script.

Others? Hope Lange, so vulnerable as Clift's pregnant warbride [unrealized career - another brilliant talent!], Maximilian Schell as Brando's close commander, and Mai Britt [blondly seductive] as the the frau.

Naturally shot in black and white it lends great authenticity to that period, and also reminds you how young those guys were and how much senseless suffering they went through.

Somewhat similar but slightly forgotten? The original "All Quiet on the Western Front" - also quite shattering.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Absorbing and Intelligent War Drama
Review: This movie deserves a place in the top 20 war movies of all time. Viewed now it is an intelligent study of the psychology of war and one asks the question is it necessary ?. The big factors of this movie are its excellent photography (great DVD transfer) and music score. Believe it or not Clifts performance was the only weak link

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Fun to watch the actors.
Review: This movie impressed me when I was 20 and saw it at the theater although even then I knew it wasn't as good as the book. That is most often the case with movies. Now tht I'm 63 I wish i had read the book again and not bought the movie. The Clift part is a direct copy of his role in "From Here To Eternity" except this time he's treated more like Frank Sinatra was in "Eternity." Martin plays himself as he would have in real life if he was drafted but Brando does steal the show with his interpretation of a German soldier with a conscience. He does a good accent and looks the part. Lange acts better than she ever did in her Glenn Ford movies which came later on in her career. The story is about people in WWII and not about WWII.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: World War II: In the eyes of realism
Review: This movie is complete realism and achieves a more realist look or world war 2. Very few movies made in post world war 2 times had the confidence as a film to transcend the nationalistic influences felt by the nation, but this film does. Brando is stunning in his role as a young german lieutenat who realizes the horrors and fallacies of the NAZI feelings. Clift and Martin represent typical American soliders and the tragic death of Brando (being shot down a mountain by Martin) is essential for the feel of this movie. If you enjoy WW2 films this is a must see.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Great WWII Film
Review: This World War Two movie is unlike any I have ever seen. It tells the parallel stories of a German officer(Marlon Brando) and two American soldiers(Montgomery Clift and Dean Martin), both in a simpathetic light. There was no real antagonist in this film, but the war itself. Brando's character is at odds with the Nazi's motives, but feels compelled as a soldier and patriot of Germany to fight for his native land. Martin is a professional singer who will do anything to get out of fighting, until he befriends Clift, a Jewish soldier with a humble backround taking grief(and physical beatings) within their army company. Clift stands up to the other men and eventually earns their respect and Martin's. The movie also involves the three men's different affairs with women and with authority, which add to their characters and the movie's message. All in all, Dmytryk delivers a interesting and poiniant antiwar film which people should see.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: weak
Review: Two movies spliced together is what this one seems. Brando and Clift only meet in the end for two seconds. Weird structure for a film, and it doesn't work. And if Brando is such a great actor, how come he's so weak in this film and in DESIREE (which I just saw). In Brando's autobiography, he says he learned the trick of reading dummy cards on this film, instead of memorizing lines. Well, at least he accomplished something with this film.


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