Obscure, gritty independent war pic that I saw 20+ years ago on TV has remained vivid for good reason. Wilde dispensed with his Hollywood profile some years before this directorial effort, but nothing he did matches this for sheer intensity, and, graphic content.
I was most impressed with (at the time) newcomer Burr DeBenning who went on to become a TV staple over the next decade, his youthful Southern simpleton perfectly characterises the faux bravado of a naive debutante. Torn reminded me of an Aldo Ray type in this film, rough edges down and dirty - a very workmanlike performance - whilst Wilde was more or less the typical clichéd leader, and a good neutral base for the other characters to expand.
The opening scene is shocking (especially considering its vintage) and whilst it does sometimes lose momentum in parts, there's always the promise of something unpredictable, such is Wilde's unorthodox approach to filmmaking. It's unconventional, rejects any jingoistic notions or romantic interludes, and really stays true to its central theme sans the Hollywood gloss which is a welcome diversion from the norm. Expect the unexpected.
I was most impressed with (at the time) newcomer Burr DeBenning who went on to become a TV staple over the next decade, his youthful Southern simpleton perfectly characterises the faux bravado of a naive debutante. Torn reminded me of an Aldo Ray type in this film, rough edges down and dirty - a very workmanlike performance - whilst Wilde was more or less the typical clichéd leader, and a good neutral base for the other characters to expand.
The opening scene is shocking (especially considering its vintage) and whilst it does sometimes lose momentum in parts, there's always the promise of something unpredictable, such is Wilde's unorthodox approach to filmmaking. It's unconventional, rejects any jingoistic notions or romantic interludes, and really stays true to its central theme sans the Hollywood gloss which is a welcome diversion from the norm. Expect the unexpected.