On F List of Movie Reviews
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Fixed Bayonets! (1951)
Rate:
6
Viewed:
6/24
6/24:
Fixed Bayonets! is an okay, simplistic war film.
Gene Evans of The Steel Helmet fame is the biggest reason why it has a pulse. Sure, war
is hell, and fighting is tough. Leaders are needed to guide the men through. However, the rest of the cast including Richard
Basehart are forgettable. Believe it or not, Fixed Bayonets! marks the first film appearance for James Dean; although it's
hard to tell, you can see him running at the end until he joins two men to look at the river.
The script is passable, but the cheap-looking wintry environment is weird given it takes place during the Korean War and nobody
breathes cold air. Ditto for stepping into the freezing cold puddle when they should be avoiding it completely. I was going
to say, "What about the feet?" But Samuel Fuller surprised me by having all soldiers rub them together with socks and
shoes off.
All in all, an inferior continuation of The Steel Helmet, Fixed Bayonets! is fine
for what it is.