Battle Cry

Starring:Van Heflin, Aldo Ray, Mona Freeman, Nancy Olson, James Whitmore, Raymond Massey, Tab Hunter, Dorothy Malone, Anne Francis, William Campbell, John Lupton, L.Q. Jones, Perry Lopez, Fess Parker, Jonas Applegarth, Tommy Cook, Felix Noriego, Susan Morrow, Carleton Young, Rhys Williams
Director: Raoul Walsh
Studio: Warner Home Video
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
The most interesting--and entertaining--aspect of this long, episodic World War II drama is that it marked the debut of one Justus E. McQueen, who subsequently took the name of the good ol' Arkansas boy he played in the movie: L.Q. Jones. He's only one of eight or nine Marine recruits who divide the screen time with commanding officer Van Heflin and James Whitmore as a lifer sergeant named Mac, "just Mac," who ramrods their squad and also delivers the movie's overbearing narration. Unfortunately, the narration is necessary to maintain continuity as the CinemaScope production galumphs its way from rounding up the melting-pot cast, to seeing them through basic training and sundry, mostly amatory misadventures in San Diego, to further training in New Zealand, and finally to baptism of fire on Guadalcanal.

Trouble is, among the recruits only McQueen/Jones (whose job is mostly comic relief) and Aldo Ray (as a brawling lumberjack who's never known family life) have any charisma or acting chops--and that's not forgetting Tab Hunter, whose matinee-idol status at the time does not speak well for the '50s. Battle Cry is also a cardinal example of Hollywood's penchant for buying big, lusty, profane bestsellers (by Leon Uris, in this case) and then euphemizing all the lustiness and profanity to appease the censors. Raoul Walsh, the poet laureate of lowdown gusto, does what he can in the circumstances, and as one of the first guys ever to direct a widescreen movie (1930's The Big Trail), he makes the battle scenes roar. --Richard T. Jameson
Description
Van Heflin, Aldo Ray and Tab Hunter in Raoul Walsh's hard-hitting-action epic of Marine Corps heroism in the WWII Pacific, based on Leon Uris' gritty best-seller. Year: 1955

DVD Features:
Interactive Menus
Other:Raoul Walsh profile
Scene Access
Theatrical Trailer

Average customer rating:

...GANG WAY!!!!!!.......HERE COMES THE MARINES.......
Favorite WW2 Movie
It's a war movie about people...
Be a Marine to be a real man
forget about battle this is just "days of our lives " and not even as good

Battle Cry
Starring: Van Heflin , Aldo Ray , Mona Freeman , Nancy Olson , and James Whitmore
Director: Raoul Walsh
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

Classics | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Adventure | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

Action & Combat | Military & War | Genres | DVD | Video

Drama | Military & War | Genres | DVD | Video

World War II | Military & War | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( B ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Halls of Montezuma
Battleground
Wake Island
Guadalcanal Diary
Men in War

ASIN: B00008MTY7
Release Date: 2003-05-13

Amazon.com

The most interesting--and entertaining--aspect of this long, episodic World War II drama is that it marked the debut of one Justus E. McQueen, who subsequently took the name of the good ol' Arkansas boy he played in the movie: L.Q. Jones. He's only one of eight or nine Marine recruits who divide the screen time with commanding officer Van Heflin and James Whitmore as a lifer sergeant named Mac, "just Mac," who ramrods their squad and also delivers the movie's overbearing narration. Unfortunately, the narration is necessary to maintain continuity as the CinemaScope production galumphs its way from rounding up the melting-pot cast, to seeing them through basic training and sundry, mostly amatory misadventures in San Diego, to further training in New Zealand, and finally to baptism of fire on Guadalcanal.

Trouble is, among the recruits only McQueen/Jones (whose job is mostly comic relief) and Aldo Ray (as a brawling lumberjack who's never known family life) have any charisma or acting chops--and that's not forgetting Tab Hunter, whose matinee-idol status at the time does not speak well for the '50s. Battle Cry is also a cardinal example of Hollywood's penchant for buying big, lusty, profane bestsellers (by Leon Uris, in this case) and then euphemizing all the lustiness and profanity to appease the censors. Raoul Walsh, the poet laureate of lowdown gusto, does what he can in the circumstances, and as one of the first guys ever to direct a widescreen movie (1930's The Big Trail), he makes the battle scenes roar. --Richard T. Jameson

Description

Van Heflin, Aldo Ray and Tab Hunter in Raoul Walsh's hard-hitting-action epic of Marine Corps heroism in the WWII Pacific, based on Leon Uris' gritty best-seller. Year: 1955

DVD Features:
Interactive Menus
Other:Raoul Walsh profile
Scene Access
Theatrical Trailer

Customer Reviews:

...GANG WAY!!!!!!.......HERE COMES THE MARINES..............2007-04-19

Excellent movie [DVD] about WW2 and the USMC....from the spartan Marine Boot Camp scenes and the dangerous amphibious landing/assaults against Japanese Marines throughout the Pacific war...good casting and on location scenery...looking again at Mainside at Camp Pendleton, Calif brought back fond memories of the physically brutal combat preparation for service in the Fleet Marine Force...Van Heflin portrayed a Marine Major who over identifies with his Marines, a rare breed of Officer, but pulls it off just the same...his Sgt/Major, the wiley James Whitmore cast perfectly as the combat/crusted 'old salt' [a 30 yr Marine] and good luck to Witmore for he was a genuine Marine Major while making this film in real life [kudos]...Tab Hunter can't act to save his life but there he was, must of had a good agent...moving onto his home/town girl, Mona Freeman, she's to be a teenage sweetheart but looks 30ish, if for a day, totally miscast, but the desireable and captivating, Dorothy Malone, is perfect as the loved/starved lonely wife [and makes herself available] who is every Marine's dream of the perfect weekend liberty to all Marines...WoW...she fits this role with abandon...mmm/mmm...then there's the burly lumber/jack molded into a fighting Marine, Aldo Ray, who has a penchant to excell as a military man..."The Squad"...lest I forget, all displayed the various camraderie that is always prevalent to the success of completing whatever mission that befalls them...one of the Squad is L.Q Jones "nervous in the service type" as the Company clown....there's one in every Marine Company...and the frosting on the cake is the bombastic Marine musical score provided by Hollywood's greatest musical director, the legendary, Max Steiner...in summation, having Raoul Walsh directing certainly adds to all concerned...folks, you get more than your monies worth getting this DVD, no doubt about it...Semper Fidelis...SSGT CHRIS SARNO-USMC FMF

Favorite WW2 Movie.......2007-03-08

This was and is my favorite war pic...depicting the marines during ww2...It did Leon Uris' book some justice...

It's a war movie about people..........2006-07-10

War is not about bullets, it's about the people who catch them. Look, listen, learn and mature in your observations. This movie is a classic and a keeper. Can [and must] be watched many times to be fully digested. I am a Marine Corps veteran and a 100% disabled veteran. Now stuff that in your pipe and toke it.

Be a Marine to be a real man.......2006-05-10

This movie had a great influence on me when I was young. When I first saw it I was in the age of trying to understand how to be a man. Of course it had to do with being tough. And of course it had to do with being able to fight. And of course it had to do with being able to get the girl.
This movie puts a group of young Marines through boot camp, has them wait and warm up for the war in Australia, and then sends them into combat. Their tough Sergeant Mac ( James Whitmore) who is the narrator of the story tells it all from beginning to end. Their Commanding office Highpockets Huxley(Van Heflin) leads them with a discipline and demandingness. One of the most impressive scenes of the movie has to do with their training march in which bruised and pained they hike for thirty or forty miles or more , and end up singing a song which resounds in my ears to this day."I'm just like a prairie flower, honey, honey, I'm just like a prairie flower, babe, babe. I'm just like a prairie flower, growing wilder by the hour. Honey, Oh baby , mine. Go to your left your right, your left. Go to your left your right. Your left'.
After the training they go into combat in the Pacific,those who have made it through, go home .
Years later from another continent in another country whose Army I have been a part of, though I was never really a combat soldier in it, I think how far even in mind and dream my own life and sense of manhood have come , from the image of the Gyrenes presented in this outstanding and highly enjoyable movie.

forget about battle this is just "days of our lives " and not even as good.......2006-05-04

battle cry lurches foward at a snails pace and for a war movie very little fighting goes on,just long stares off to nothing and some romance. really with all the people involved in this it should be better. a waste of time!!!

War Double Feature: Battle Cry/Battleground

Average customer rating:

War Double Feature: Battle Cry/Battleground...
Battleground
Great addition
Battle Cry/Battleground
CAPT. MORGUS

War Double Feature: Battle Cry/Battleground
Starring: War Double Feature
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( W ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Bataan/Back to Bataan
Battle of the Bulge [HD DVD]
Guadalcanal Diary
Men in War
The Frogmen

ASIN: B0002V8OAK
Release Date: 2005-08-30

Description

Americans answer the nation's call to war in Battle Cry. Raoul Walsh (Objective, Burma!) guides a Who's Who of 1950s stars in this salute to young Marines who went to war and the women they left behind. Highlights include boot-camp training and the invasion of Saipan. Surrounded G.I.s say "Nuts!" to surrender and dig in against the enemy and winter's wrath in Battleground, Oscar winner for Best Story and Screenplay and for B&W Cinematography (1949). William A. Wellman (The Story of G.I. Joe) directs Van Johnson, James Whitmore and more in a stirring tale of "the battered bastards of Bastogne."

Customer Reviews:

War Double Feature: Battle Cry/Battleground..........2007-05-25

War Double Feature: Battle Cry/Battleground is a good value for the
money. For those involved, gritty performances, good scenes of humor,
angst, and pain. I stumbled onto Battle Cry on Cable late over several
nights, and just couldn't get through the whole movie (what can I say?
I have to work so I can buy these DVD's!!). So, I purchased it for
$10/US. The fact that "BattleGround" was an extra was a bonus in my book!

Finally, as my Dad was an World War II and Korea Army Infantry Man, I
know that he would have gotten "a kick" out of the close-order drilling
displayed in the movie. The guys in the scenes in both movies were on their job!!

My rating: Five stars!

Battleground.......2007-02-23

Even though much of Battleground was shot inside a sound-stage, there is the feel of what it's like to be an infantry rifleman, a mud-pounder, and in the worst of conditions: winter. Digging foxholes one after the other. Sleeping in them, eating in them, finding ways to eliminate one's human waste, the endless waiting, then engaging the enemy. The kill or be killed mind-set. The unnaturalness of the everyday life of a man in a foreign land having to kill people he doesn't know produces a surreal trance that every rifleman enters and finds hard to come out of (thousands never came out of that trance, and suffered their whole lives for not being able to "adjust" to non-war realities). The writer keeps just the right amount of humor going around. People in war use humor to keep from "going round the bend" - as they say in England. John Hodiak was always a solid actor (see Hitchcock's Lifeboat), and keeps centering the movie with his intelligence. And few actors could play a serious role with a lot of comedic moments better than Van Johnson (Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo). Battleground has the feel of soldering in WWII. Modern liberal societies need to be defended. Many do not like what it takes to defend a liberal society. See Battleground and you'll quickly get the feel of what it takes and learn how difficult it really is.

Great addition.......2007-01-18

This CD was a great addition to my WWII library. The movies are classics!

Battle Cry/Battleground.......2007-01-16

Movies were excellent. Shipped in 3 days of order. Very happy with service.

CAPT. MORGUS.......2007-01-16

BATTLEGROUND IS ONE OF THE THE BEST 1940'S WAR MOVIE EVER. IT IS UP THERE WITH GI JOE. IT IS EQUAL TO BAND OF BROTHERS

BATTLE CRY IS GOOD TOO. THE FORMULA WAR MOVIE, BUT WORTH A LOOK FOR SURE.

Classic American Indian Movies (Sitting Bull / Cry Blood, Apache / Battle Of Chief Pontiac)

Average customer rating:

Some good, some bad
nice transfer of these movies,and a good price
Classic is an apt term

Classic American Indian Movies (Sitting Bull / Cry Blood, Apache / Battle Of Chief Pontiac)
Starring: Andy Anza , Marie Gahva , Don Henley (II) , Carroll Kemp (II) , and Dan Kemp
Director: Jack Starrett
Manufacturer: Bfs Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video

4-for-3 Drama | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video

4-for-3 All DVDs | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

All Deals | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Blood & Honor/Crazy Horse & Custer
Sitting Bull
Geronimo - An American Legend
The Last of His Tribe
Dreamkeeper

ASIN: B00008AOS1
Release Date: 2003-07-15

Description

3 Great Movies on 1 DVD. Star Power, Exciting Genre with Extras on each DVD.

Customer Reviews:

Some good, some bad.......2007-01-18

The third movie in this epic (Battle of Chief Pontiac) does not play. May I please exchange it for a fully functional copy? Otherwise, my husband loved it. Great for the grandkids to watch, too.

nice transfer of these movies,and a good price.......2006-06-15

the transfers of these movies are nice and that helps,but to call these movies classic is a big leap. still some good cowboy and indian movies!

Classic is an apt term.......2003-12-02

Of the three movies, Sitting Bull (starring Iron Eyes Cody) and Battles of Chief Pontiac (Movie is in Black & White but is appropriate for the setting and date,stars Lon Chaney, Jr. and Lex Barker)are the best. Even tho Cry Blood, Apache is a poor third, the set is well worth the money. The injustices done to the American Indian is clearly and, I think, fairly presented.

Average customer rating:

Awesome film - great story, great acting, quality of DVD could be better.
the transfer is so bad that i really can't say if the movie is good

Cry of Battle
Starring: Sidney Clute , Van Heflin , Oscar Keesee Jr. , James MacArthur , and Liza Moreno
Manufacturer: Geneon [Pioneer]
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Crime | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Classics | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Adventure | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

Drama | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

Drama | Military & War | Genres | DVD | Video

4-for-3 Action & Adventure | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video

4-for-3 Drama | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video

4-for-3 All DVDs | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video

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Men in War
Fort Algiers
From Hell to Victory
Immortal Sergeant
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ASIN: B000BGH2J0
Release Date: 2005-11-22

Customer Reviews:

Awesome film - great story, great acting, quality of DVD could be better........2007-04-22

They made some pretty amazing movies in the late 50's and early 60's, and this is an overlooked gem!! Set in the Phillippines in WWII, it is largely a coming-of-age story, but it also presents a clear-eyed, adult look at heavy-duty issues such as the meaning of and conflicts between honor, loyalty and duty during times of crisis; horrific actions people take to survive; interracial love; and what is means to be a man/human being (thank God they avoided using that title, although the issue is handled really well!)
There is some pretty good action (raids, battles); there are some acts of horror and cruelty that are not sugar-coated, and the impact these have on both major and minor characters is excellently done (yes, rape DOES hurt and scar, even non-Caucasians). The characters are complex, even the loathsome ones, and they do develop; their interrelationships are multi-dimensional.
James MacArthur is superb; he's a little light at the beginning, but then again, he is supposed to be an innocent, coming from a sheltered and pampered background. His reactions to the evil things and pain inflicted by his protector/mentor are just excellent - not stereotypical, standard stuff at all, but gut-wrenching and realistic. The edge and the hard eyes his character develops over the course of the film are completely believable, and frequently chilling. He doesn't do the right thing, not at first, and not all the time. But he does grow and develop, and he is a very different character by the end of the film than he is at the start.
Van Heflin is loathsome, horrific, disgusting, and yet fascinating, pathetic and pitiable - another amazing job of acting in this film. There is an intriguing thread as his dependent/protogee develops to the point that he no longer needs protection - a very interesting issue.
The Phillippine people are presented with dignity, courage, complexity and respect; even the Japanese are shown as human beings (not that common for that time).
The quality of the DVD is not as good as could be hoped, especially the sound; it is B&W (too bad, given the spectacular location!) However, it is still very watchable. There are no extras with the DVD.

the transfer is so bad that i really can't say if the movie is good.......2006-06-03

the transfer is so bad that i can't tell if the movie is good or not!!!! not a good buy!

Average customer rating:

Glory Days of WWII Films

Battle Cry [Region 2]
Starring: Van Heflin , Aldo Ray , Mona Freeman , Nancy Olson , and James Whitmore
Director: Raoul Walsh
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

( B ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Customer Reviews:

Glory Days of WWII Films.......2006-10-25

It is surprising how a sprawling war film like this contains so little action. But, don't be disappointed. This film focuses on characterization and characters are plentiful be they ever so stereotypical. James Whitmore as Sgt. Mac, Aldo Ray, Tab Hunter, L. Q. Jones and Perry Lopez as Marine recruits and Dorothy Malone, Anne Francis and Nancy Olsen as their love interests all give standout performances. Max Steiner's patriotic and rousing score is in its full glory. This film is high on good old-fashioned sentimental entertainment. By the film's end the viewer comes to realize many of the sacrifices that were made during this time in history and some of the gloss wears off. As an aside, a deceased acquaintance of mine who served in the US Army 1st Division during the Second World War from North Africa, D-Day to Germany's surrender, found this film to be the best representation of W.W.II military life. That was an exceptional compliment and recommendation for this film from a veteran who was not a Marine and one who fought in the European theatre. This is a good film.

Average customer rating:

Gung Ho / Captain Kidd
Starring: Multi
Director: Multi
Manufacturer: Passion Productions
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

( G ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Collectibles | Categories |
Product Features:

BLACK AND WHITE
2 FOR ONE
GENRE WAR
GENRE ACTION
ADVENTURE

ASIN: B000FS4FSU
Release Date: 2003-03-03

Product Description

DOUBLE FEATURE 2 MOVES FOR THE PRICE OF ONE GUNG HO; GENRE WAR ;CLASSIC BLACK AND WHITE 1943 RUN TIME 87 MINUTES CAPTAIN KIDD; GENRE ACTION /ADVENTURE CLASSIC BLACK AND WHITE 1945 RUNNING TIME 84 MINUTES

Battle Cry / Objective Burma / Operation Pacific [Region 2]

Average customer rating:

One of Errol Flynn's Best Films

Battle Cry / Objective Burma / Operation Pacific [Region 2]
Starring: Errol Flynn , James Brown (II) , William Prince , George Tobias , and Henry Hull
Director: Raoul Walsh , and George Waggner
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

( B ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Customer Reviews:

One of Errol Flynn's Best Films.......2006-10-12

OBJECTIVE, BURMA! is a first rate quality production and I think one of Errol Flynn's best films. I think Errol Flynn's perception as a good actor was greatly undermined by the very transcendence of his good looks and screen presence. In OBJECTIVE BURMA Errol Flynn rises far beyond those attributes and gives a very credible and sincere performance and his performance is one of the many strengths of this film.

Paratroop Major Nelson (Errol Flynn) leads his men into Burma to destroy a Japanese jungle outpost. What makes this film so intriguing is the human cost and life struggle to enter the Burmese jungle, accomplish the mission and return to safety. This is a hard-nosed action drama filled with a lot of emotion and sentiment. Under Raoul Walsh's brilliant direction war is not a thing comprised of glory but one of sacrifice and endurance. Henry Hull as the aged journalist Mark Williams gives a truly endearing performance and brings Walsh's message vividly photographed by James Wong Howe to fruition.

In terms of Hollywood's standards this is a very realistic WWII film. The script and dialogue by Ranald MacDougall and Lester Cole are very effective and detailed to the man. Very realistic Art designs by Ted Smith and Sets by designer Jack McConaghy combined with Cinematographer James Wong Howe's outstanding and deeply textured images are so convincing that you become entrenched in and overwhelmed by the Burmese jungle and all the dangers and death that it holds. Franz Waxman also composed one of his best scores. The cast including James Brown, William Prince, George Tobias, Mark Stevens, Anthony Caruso and Hugh Beaumont is excellent. This is an outstanding film.

DVD:

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