Starring
Frank Sinatra, Tatsuya Mihashi, Clint Walker, Takeshi Kato, Tommy
Sands, Kenji Sahara, Brad Dexter, Tony Bill. Directed by Frank
Sinatra. (1965/105 min).
ON
BLU-RAY FROM
Review
by Mr. Paws😽
None
but the Brave has the distinction of being the only film directed
by Frank Sinatra. Considering his clout at the time, it's kind-of surprising this didn't turn out to be a vanity project. In
fact, despite being top-billed, Ol’ Blue Eyes selflessly doesn’t even play
the main character.
That
distinction is shared by Clint Walker as Capt. Bourke and Tatsuya
Mihashi as Lt. Kuroki, commanders of their American and Japanese
squads, both of which end up marooned on a deserted Pacific island
during World War II. Kuroki’s men have been stuck there so long
that their own Army seems to have forgotten about them. Then an
American plane is shot down, initially bringing the war with them.
But after a few deadly skirmishes, both commanders realize they might need each other in order to survive.
To
the chagrin of a few gung-ho subordinates, both sides form an uneasy
truce, which threatens to fall apart at any given moment. Bourke and
Kuroki develop a mutual respect for each other and friendships are
formed among some of the others, leading to a few epiphanies about
their dedication to duty. Ultimately, None but the Brave
ends up delivering a poignant anti-war message.
 |
| "I thought I ordered you to dig the latrine first." |
While
relationship between Bourke and Kuroki is the crux of the story, None
but the Brave is just-as-much an ensemble piece. Playing Chief
Pharmacist-turned-medic Mate Francis, Sinatra does give himself the
single best scene in the entire film – tasked by Bourke to save a
wounded Japanese soldier’s life – but generously shares the
spotlight with a fine American & Japanese cast. The one exception
might be Tommy Sands, who severely overdoes it as jingoistic Marine
Lt. Blair, sounding like a cross between Forrest Gump and a bullhorn.
Other
than that, None but the Brave is enjoyable, no-frills
entertainment, directed by the Chairman with workmanlike skill. While
fans may be surprised by his comparatively sparse screen-time,
Sinatra selflessly supports his cast with the film’s best
performance.
EXTRA
KIBBLES
TRAILER
KITTY CONSENSUS:
NOT BAD. LIKE CAT CHOW.
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