the fresh films reviews

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The Young Lions (1958)

Director:
Edward Dmytryk
COUNTRY
USA
GENRE
War/Drama
NORWEGIAN TITLE
Unge løver
RUNNING TIME
167 minutes
Producer:
Al Lichtman
Screenwriter (based on the novel by Irwin Shaw):
Edward Anhalt


Cast includes:

CHARACTER ACTOR/ACTRESS RATING
Christian Diestl Marlon Brando ½
Noah Ackerman Montgomery Clift ½
Michael Whitacre Dean Martin ½
Hope Plowman Hope Lange
Margaret Freemantle Barbara Rush
Gretchen Hardenberg May Britt
Capt. Hardenberg Maximilian Schell
Sgt. Rickett Lee Van Cleef

 

Review

Edward Dmytryk's drama about love and ethics during WWII is overproduced and episodic, but has harrowing sequences and great characterizations. Marlon Brando stars as German idealist turned nazi-officer, and much of the film's strength lies in Brando's powerful performance as his character transforms throughout the film. There is also strength in Montgomery Clift's character. Clift is brilliantly frail in the romantic scenes and shows real sensitivity as the film progresses, but in the end the film is a bit too wise. Its political conception is somewhat naïve and simplified, and as it goes along, Dmytryk makes things look a bit too tidy. The Young Lions is at its best in a few dramatic scenes portraying human relations: The scenes with Brando and Britt are particularly brilliant. Unfortunately, Brando's character has a lot of potential that is left unexplored and the climax is disappointing.

Copyright © 11.1.2005 Fredrik Gunerius Fevang [HAVE YOUR SAY]