Another one I always avoided. Again, I grew up with this one on commercial television with an interruption ever 15 minutes. It just will not work that way. The only thing that didn't work here was when June and Humphrey tried to be funny by falling down in the puddles as the rain destroyed their tent. And June playing cock teaser again when she is way too old, isn't believable. But this movie got some things right by not just making another WW2 patriotic movie. There are some real war horrors here. The tents and helicopter presage MASH. The scene with the grenade is tense. I found the developing love affair to be touching and honest which is something I never expected. The combination of Allyson and Bogart is great because it is hard to imagine two actors cast more against type; this is perhaps what made the romance credible. Then you get actors like Keenan Wynn and Robert Keith giving solid support. And don't ignore the fine actresses playing the nurses and exploring the challenges of doing such work with tremendous challenges. Way more adult than most war movies. Probably was not a success in 1953, but it is a really compelling work.
Review of Battle Circus
