Like so many Hollywood films of the era, "The Fighting Sullivans" begins with a real-life story and embellishes it heavily in order to make an entertaining and teary movie. In this case, the very famous five Sullivan brothers who served aboard the same ship--and who all died during the invasion of Guadalcanal. It was a terrible tragedy that was exploited for propaganda--to try to solidify the folks at home behind the war effort.
The film begins when the Sullivans are boys. Nothing especially exciting happens during this portion but it serves to emphasize how the brothers cared for each other and makes the viewer connect with them and care for them. Then, the film jumps ahead. Now the five are young adults--full of dreams and love for each other. And, of course, the war arrives and the rest is history. Interestingly enough, the war itself is only a small portion of the film--most of it is just leading up to it. And, while it's heavy on the schmaltz (in other words, heavy on sentimentality), it is effective--unless you a really cynical sort. And naturally, when tragedy strikes, you can't help but get misty-eyed because the film so effectively led to it...and because the story of the boys is amazingly sad. Well worth seeing...even if it does seem that an awful lot of liberties were taken with their lives--especially when they were lads.
By the way, one part of the film was handled poorly. At the end, when Ward Bond arrives to break the news to the family that all five brothers were killed, he walked in the door smiling--and did so for about 30 seconds before breaking it to them. This made no sense unless Bond was portraying a sociopath! They really should have re-shot this pivotal scene.
The film begins when the Sullivans are boys. Nothing especially exciting happens during this portion but it serves to emphasize how the brothers cared for each other and makes the viewer connect with them and care for them. Then, the film jumps ahead. Now the five are young adults--full of dreams and love for each other. And, of course, the war arrives and the rest is history. Interestingly enough, the war itself is only a small portion of the film--most of it is just leading up to it. And, while it's heavy on the schmaltz (in other words, heavy on sentimentality), it is effective--unless you a really cynical sort. And naturally, when tragedy strikes, you can't help but get misty-eyed because the film so effectively led to it...and because the story of the boys is amazingly sad. Well worth seeing...even if it does seem that an awful lot of liberties were taken with their lives--especially when they were lads.
By the way, one part of the film was handled poorly. At the end, when Ward Bond arrives to break the news to the family that all five brothers were killed, he walked in the door smiling--and did so for about 30 seconds before breaking it to them. This made no sense unless Bond was portraying a sociopath! They really should have re-shot this pivotal scene.