MGM's Civil War epic THE RED BADGE OF COURAGE is a minor masterpiece! Unfortunately however the picture has a chequered history and had little success when it was first released in 1951. Based on the best selling novel by Stephen Crane it was beautifully written for the screen by John Huston who also directed with considerable flair and expertise. But the finished film suffered greatly in the editing stages. In Huston's absence ( he was in South Africa filming "The African Queen" ) the studio cut some 25 minutes from the movie resulting in a very truncated 69 minute version being released. Louis B.Mayer disliked the picture intensely because it didn't have a female in the cast and it was without any marquee names. Top billed was a young Audie Murphy, a minor player at the time who was just finding his way in pictures over at Universal International in the B western genre. That said there is still much to admire in the finished film. Particularly noteworthy is the stunning Monochrome cinematography of Harold Rossen and the splendid atmospheric and rousing score by Polish composer Bronislau Kaper.
Stephen Crane referred to his novel as a 'psychological portrayal of fear' and that fear is clearly established almost immediately the film opens as we see the enlisted men of the Union army mustered in camp waiting for their marching orders to go into battle. One youthful private in particular Henry Fleming (Audie Murphy) is almost sick with fear and trepidation. Tears fill his eyes as he writes home what he thinks could be his last letter. Finally, the moment he dreaded arrives as the order comes for the division to move out up to the battlefield. Before long they are in the trenches holding back the advancing Confederate enemy. Then during one enemy charge Henry is so overcome with fear he throws down his rifle and runs in retreat. Alone in the woods he is beside himself with despair and shame. But later when he is knocked unconscious with a rifle butt from another retreating soldier he awakens with a whole different attitude to the war. His head wound becomes his 'Red Badge of Courage' and he returns to the trenches but this time with a new found gallantry. He suddenly finds himself leading his men against the enemy and even taking up the flag from a fallen comrade and carrying it to victory.
Performances are superb from all concerned even down to the smallest role. Murphy is surprisingly dynamic! His role as the fearful young soldier who finds redemption is totally believable and engaging. It is the actor's best performance. Good too is non-actor and cartoonist Bill Mauldin as Henry's friend and comrade and also the always likable Arthur Hunnicutt ("I got holes in my cap, I got holes in my pants but I ain't got any holes in me except those that were intended").
Huston's film is an arresting evocation of the American Civil War! He lavished great care and attention to the film's look and design which is evident throughout. Together with Rossen's deep focus and stark black and white cinematography the scenes on the battlefield and in the trenches become bracingly authentic with an all encompassing and extraordinary realism. We will probably never learn what was in the missing 25 minutes of lost footage but as it stands THE RED BADGE OF COURAGE remains a minor cinematic masterpiece.
Closing line from Stephen Crane's THE RED BADGE OF COURAGE as the troop, victorious, march from the battlefield and on the soundtrack the voice of James Whitmore is heard behind a close up tracking shot of Audie Murphy..........
"He turned now with a lover's thirst to images of tranquil skies, fresh meadows and cool brooks - an existence of soft and eternal peace".
Stephen Crane referred to his novel as a 'psychological portrayal of fear' and that fear is clearly established almost immediately the film opens as we see the enlisted men of the Union army mustered in camp waiting for their marching orders to go into battle. One youthful private in particular Henry Fleming (Audie Murphy) is almost sick with fear and trepidation. Tears fill his eyes as he writes home what he thinks could be his last letter. Finally, the moment he dreaded arrives as the order comes for the division to move out up to the battlefield. Before long they are in the trenches holding back the advancing Confederate enemy. Then during one enemy charge Henry is so overcome with fear he throws down his rifle and runs in retreat. Alone in the woods he is beside himself with despair and shame. But later when he is knocked unconscious with a rifle butt from another retreating soldier he awakens with a whole different attitude to the war. His head wound becomes his 'Red Badge of Courage' and he returns to the trenches but this time with a new found gallantry. He suddenly finds himself leading his men against the enemy and even taking up the flag from a fallen comrade and carrying it to victory.
Performances are superb from all concerned even down to the smallest role. Murphy is surprisingly dynamic! His role as the fearful young soldier who finds redemption is totally believable and engaging. It is the actor's best performance. Good too is non-actor and cartoonist Bill Mauldin as Henry's friend and comrade and also the always likable Arthur Hunnicutt ("I got holes in my cap, I got holes in my pants but I ain't got any holes in me except those that were intended").
Huston's film is an arresting evocation of the American Civil War! He lavished great care and attention to the film's look and design which is evident throughout. Together with Rossen's deep focus and stark black and white cinematography the scenes on the battlefield and in the trenches become bracingly authentic with an all encompassing and extraordinary realism. We will probably never learn what was in the missing 25 minutes of lost footage but as it stands THE RED BADGE OF COURAGE remains a minor cinematic masterpiece.
Closing line from Stephen Crane's THE RED BADGE OF COURAGE as the troop, victorious, march from the battlefield and on the soundtrack the voice of James Whitmore is heard behind a close up tracking shot of Audie Murphy..........
"He turned now with a lover's thirst to images of tranquil skies, fresh meadows and cool brooks - an existence of soft and eternal peace".