Visually stunning, but sort of dumb. You should see it, though, if only to hear the paralyzed Spig Wead (John Wayne) chant determinedly, "I'm gonna move that big toe! I'm gonna move that big toe! I'm gonna move that big toe!"

# 894

908

Ford's formal talents are evident in this film--his use of shadow and light, of mise en scene, and the way the colors early in the film seem softer, almost idyllic and thus contrasting with the harsher, monotone hues of the later scenes. I also appreciate the use of documentary war footage, particularly in the climax. However, the overall story and characterizations seem confused, drifting, and set apart from Ford's technique. He did what he could with the script.