"Bitter Victory" is a grim, stark, atmospheric WWII drama about two men at odds with each other. Major Brand (Curd Jurgens, VERY oddly cast) is in charge, but as we will see, he's not cut out to be a leader, even if he is a military veteran of 13 years. He often hesitates, and fails to act properly. Captain Leith (Richard Burton) is his nemesis, a weary and hardened man who had once had an affair with Brands' wife (Ruth Roman, rather under utilized). He knows all too well that Brand is a coward, and is aware of the fact that Brand might just try to get Leith out of the way so that Brands' cowardice is not common knowledge.
"Bitter Victory" is effective in what it does. It's not about action set pieces, and is in fact a lot more subtle (too subtle, in fact, for American audiences of the time). It's more of a character study, and a statement on the whole nature of war, and of the act of killing. Commendably, it doesn't paint Brand and Leith as one-dimensional villain and hero, but rather flawed men who are really not so different when all is said and done.
It's all set against the forbidding backdrop of the African desert, as Brand, Leith, and their men make a long, long trek after managing to infiltrate Field Marshal Rommels' stronghold and make off with some crucial documents.
The acting is solid from all concerned. The thickly accented German actor Jurgens is a strange choice to play a British officer, but he's compelling nevertheless. Burton has one of his best roles and makes the most of it. Roman may not get much to do, but she does bring out some of the humanity in Leith. The strong supporting cast includes Raymond Pellegrin, Anthony Bushell, Sean Kelly, Sir Christopher Lee, and Nigel Green, supplier of some comedy relief as the barmy Private Wilkins.
Based on a French novel by Rene Hardy (who also contributed to the screenplay), this is given respectable treatment by director Nicholas Ray (another one of the screenwriters). It's well shot (by Michel Kelber) in widescreen, and does live up to its title. It promises its viewers that whatever achievements that take place will come at a price.
Seven out of 10.
"Bitter Victory" is effective in what it does. It's not about action set pieces, and is in fact a lot more subtle (too subtle, in fact, for American audiences of the time). It's more of a character study, and a statement on the whole nature of war, and of the act of killing. Commendably, it doesn't paint Brand and Leith as one-dimensional villain and hero, but rather flawed men who are really not so different when all is said and done.
It's all set against the forbidding backdrop of the African desert, as Brand, Leith, and their men make a long, long trek after managing to infiltrate Field Marshal Rommels' stronghold and make off with some crucial documents.
The acting is solid from all concerned. The thickly accented German actor Jurgens is a strange choice to play a British officer, but he's compelling nevertheless. Burton has one of his best roles and makes the most of it. Roman may not get much to do, but she does bring out some of the humanity in Leith. The strong supporting cast includes Raymond Pellegrin, Anthony Bushell, Sean Kelly, Sir Christopher Lee, and Nigel Green, supplier of some comedy relief as the barmy Private Wilkins.
Based on a French novel by Rene Hardy (who also contributed to the screenplay), this is given respectable treatment by director Nicholas Ray (another one of the screenwriters). It's well shot (by Michel Kelber) in widescreen, and does live up to its title. It promises its viewers that whatever achievements that take place will come at a price.
Seven out of 10.