I actually liked a lot of Dean Martin's character's scenes. I thought that they showed by far the most frank and humanistic aspects of the story. He frankly discussed his distaste for the war which was a very radical thing to say when the whole country was galvanized with pro-war patriotic fervor. His character addressed very frankly selfish cowardice and fear. And I think that it was most touching that his character was the one who wanted to stick up for Noah when Noah was getting crushed by the bullies in his company. When their captain was given the courts martial papers I was ready to cheer!
I was touched by Brando's character when he tried to be a decent German citizen serving his country and how he politely took Francoise's defiant insults with dignity and tried to make the best of the situation. Of course, he thought that he was representing a country on a decent mission. He had not become so disillusioned with what the war really meant. I thought that cafe scene where he takes Francoise's insults was very well done.
But I don't think that this film holds up as well as other movies from the era. It's message is dated and dealt out with much too heavy a hand.
I agree with drystx about the best scene. Lt. Green standing up for the Jewish survivors of the concentration camp was a very cool moment. Also liked the scene right before it, Diestl talking to the commandant about the situation. Caught me off guard how matter of factly the officer talks about the concentration camps, especially in a movie from 1958.
"Congratulations, Major. It appears that at last you have found yourself a real war." Ben Tyreen
thnx, bullit. Still a great scene in my mind, and one I think of a lot.
Now go away or I shall taunt you a second time
that's not funny!
I have three favorite scenes that I remember well.
Dean Martin: The scene where he admits to himself in a quiet voice that he is a coward. He delivered the line perfectly. I disagree with other post about Dino's hate for the war. I think he just was afraid of having to be in the war and that's it.
Marlon Brando & Maximillian Schell: The scene with them talking while riding the motorbike and side car. I just loved the look of the scene, even though they were using the fake background.
Montgomery Clift: I cannot believe no one mentioned the scene where Monty returns to his bunk after all of the fights with the other guys in the troop. He opens the book and finds the money they took from him earlier. The look on his face says it all and it's the most touching scene of the film and my favorite of the film.
i loved the knife scene.
equally good, was the last scene with brando smashing the rifle it just summarized all his characters feelings towards the war when it was all said and done.
well played scene.
Two that stick in my mind: Ackerman's walk and conversation with Hope's father re being Jewish and Diestl on the motorbike telling Hardenburg how much the latter hates the human feelings he has left just as their bike goes over a trip wire.
Fatima had a fetish for a wiggle in her scootshare
I saw the film in 1958 when it was released and I was 14 years of age. Aside from favorite mise en scenes (as the French would put it), I appreciated the lit refs. Famously, when Noah A. is denigrated for possessing and reading James Joyce's Ulysses when it is discovered in his barracks cot by his co-peer enlistees. Some years later, when I was 19 or so and being held in Billerica House of Corrections in Massachusetts on a charge of forgery and uttering a prescription, I was reading a copy of Ulysses likewise and it excited remark. Actually, Joyce's masterpiece is a good read while behind bars. One is transported to Dublin and Molly's Isle of Gibraltar where she is transported into a state of "yes, yes, yes,...etc." while experiencing orgasm. That is what excited the derisory criticism in America, I suppose.
shareThe captain (forget his name) getting found out after persecuting Ackerman...
"Your mother puts license plates in your underwear? How do you sit?!"
The scene in the barracks where Ackerman finds $20 in a new copy of Ulysses as someone mentions from the nearby poker game that there is a new sucker with some money.
I am looking forward as I get older to being less and less nice. - Annette Bening