It was interesting to see all the names attached to this project, especially those making their acting film debut (Robert Redford, Tom Skerritt, Sydney Pollack). However a quietly intense John Saxon, as a mentally deteriorating private who gets too comfortable (knife-crazy) with his solo late-night behind enemy lines objectives easily stole the show over lead Redford's idealistic greenhorn. The growing friction between the two characters was centred upon the well-being of a Korean war orphan, which Saxon's character looks after. This provides some rather well staged acts of tension between the two privates, especially the pent up aggression and confusion bubbling inside the unstable psychosis of Saxon's character.
This low-key, and budgeted Korean based war film is masterfully shot, but the material also tries to examine the harsh realities of war, and in doing so feels provocative for its time. But disappointedly it mainly comes off underdone in spite of the best efforts from its stellar cast.
This low-key, and budgeted Korean based war film is masterfully shot, but the material also tries to examine the harsh realities of war, and in doing so feels provocative for its time. But disappointedly it mainly comes off underdone in spite of the best efforts from its stellar cast.