The Men

Heavy-handed, but less so than the much more famous Born on the Fourth of July. Brando is unsurprisingly incredible, but Teresa Wright and Everett Sloane also put in really incredible, nuanced performances. It's a little stilted at times, but the characters are quite well-rounded and watchable.

Despite being dated in the way that movies from this era can be today in terms of the script, acting style, and direction this movie is powerful and charming. Marlon Brando gives a magnetic performance and the supporting cast does their jobs well. I am surprised to say I think this movie handles its subject matter better than many movies made about war veterans since.

Marlon Brando gives a powerful performance--and one of considerable range, from clipped sarcasm to raw emotional pain--in his film debut as a paraplegic WWII vet. Theresa Wright and Everett Sloane are very good in support. As usual, Zinnemann's direction is uninspired, but at least he avoids sentimentality, a convenient, tempting trap in this sort of picture.

Almost considered turning it off when Theresa Wright said something like, "I'm in love with the man, not the wheelchair!"

Some scenes feel a little contrived, but overall "The Men" was moving and worth watching.

Very good,

Fairly interesting but emotionally dated drama.

It is a strange thing to see Jack Webb with a scruffy mustache and beard.

72.375

I managed to enter the era of Marlon Brando! His first movie and he plays paralyzed war veteran. The scenes where he comes home as a newlywed was super effective. A lot of the other scenes often felt educational, which is fine, but doesn't always bring out the best emotional effect. Still, the new era of those-that-took-acting-way-too-seriously is about to start.