The Big Red One (1980 US) A battle hardened Sergeant (Lee Marvin) leads a team of soldiers including a pacifist (Mark Hamill) through WWII. This was written and directed by WWII veteran Samuel Fuller. It is my understanding that parts of the film was based on some of his experiences. I don’t know which experiences though. This was a very interesting film as it almost fit right in the middle between Kubrick and Spielberg in their directing styles. It had a similar thesis to Full Metal Jacket but took a bit to flush out. It was very interesting seeing Hamill playing something that isn’t Star Wars or comic book stuff. I kept expecting him to whip out his light saber. After all there doesn’t seem to be much light between Nazi’s and Stormtroopers. Marvin was also a WWII vet. I can’t imagine revisiting the war was fun for him. It felt like he wrapped those bad memories into the character. My husband commented that Marvin’s character had sergeant levels. He was pretty bad ass. I enjoyed this film but it does meander a lot only to come to a satisfying conclusion. The battle scenes and sound effects were solidly 80’s but that’s just how they rolled back then. Fuller had some very interesting shots thrown in that I’m sure Kubrick and Spielberg would be envious of.
Watching these WWII films I often think how incredible these soldiers were. It makes me wonder what I myself would do in that situation considering how terrifying that situation was. My great uncle was a commander of a WWII submarine. How incredibly brave. My Uncle was just so unflappable. I would have been the Polish engineer in England fixing the planes with Duct tape and paper clips.
It’s air worthy
It’s duct taped
It’s fine. You’ll see
Anyway, you can find this film on Tubi for free or for rent on most streaming.