Produced by Walter Wanger with the fullest co-operation of the U.S. Marines, this is a spectacular, money-was-no-object re-enactment of one of the great turning points of WW2 in general and of the war in the Pacific in particular. Although the names of the real men involved in the action have been changed, Randolph Scott gives a most convincing account of Carlson, while Sam Levene is almost equally impressive as Sergeant "Transport" Maghakean who, along with Lieutenant W.S. LeFrancois who also wrote the screen story, actually served as technical advisers for the movie. Aside from Grace McDonald, there are no women in the cast at all, but for once they are not missed as this re-enactment of training and combat is virtually non-stop action from go to whoa – and most spectacular action it is too! In fact, some might feel that it's far too realistic. Here is a movie that pulls no punches – certainly suitable fare for upcoming star, Bob Mitchum. Mitch's role here is small, but he does feature in three or four brief scenes. Lucien Hubbard, who always thought big, wrote the action-packed screenplay – and for once just about all Hubbard's spectacular, super-expensive effects were translated intact to the screen! Available on an excellent amc (sic) DVD.
