This was not the first World War II movie to deal with black soldiers. That credit goes back to the Warriors themselves, although the most impressive one came with 1949's "Home of the Brave", based on a Broadway play. That film stands out as a classic among War films in general, and in dealing with the issues it does racially, it is greatly ahead of its time. This TV movie may not stand up to that classic, but it is interesting because of its cast of then unknowns who have since gone on to greater things. It also deals with serious racial issues of the time, something that even with the war on as people on the same side of different racial backgrounds having friction.
For a southerner like Captain Steven Boyd to be in command of a black troop, it's going to be a challenge because of his racism but he has grown up with. But he has no choice but to get to know his men, and he finds he has to depend on them I didn't think we'd make it even more they depend on him because they are more so depending on each other for support. They include Moses Gunn, Billy Dwe Williams, Robert Hools, Richard Pryor, Glynn Thurman and Rosey Grier, and not a bad actor in the bunch. A key scene shows them mocking Boyd, unaware that he is watching them. Just then, one of the men is shot, and that's when they have to go into action to work together.
There's a moment when Pryorr starts to act somewhat cowardly, and it is not in the stereotypical way that black men were portrayed back in the 1930's and 40's. His fear of war some things are many soldiers had to deal with, and it's up to another one of the black soldiers to help him find his courage. If it was up to Boyd however, he'd shoot him right then and there for cowardice. But losing learned prejudices is itself a learning situation, and we get to see Boyd come around slowly but necessarily. The film unfolds in only 70 minutes, so there's not really a lot of time for great character detail but it is interesting but the way it presents his story and is non-stop action. Not much different then other war movies of varying missions, but the way it is presented with an interracial theme as a little different touch. Maybe not a classic TV movie, but one definitely worth seeing for this great cast early in their career and veteran actor Boyd cast against type.
For a southerner like Captain Steven Boyd to be in command of a black troop, it's going to be a challenge because of his racism but he has grown up with. But he has no choice but to get to know his men, and he finds he has to depend on them I didn't think we'd make it even more they depend on him because they are more so depending on each other for support. They include Moses Gunn, Billy Dwe Williams, Robert Hools, Richard Pryor, Glynn Thurman and Rosey Grier, and not a bad actor in the bunch. A key scene shows them mocking Boyd, unaware that he is watching them. Just then, one of the men is shot, and that's when they have to go into action to work together.
There's a moment when Pryorr starts to act somewhat cowardly, and it is not in the stereotypical way that black men were portrayed back in the 1930's and 40's. His fear of war some things are many soldiers had to deal with, and it's up to another one of the black soldiers to help him find his courage. If it was up to Boyd however, he'd shoot him right then and there for cowardice. But losing learned prejudices is itself a learning situation, and we get to see Boyd come around slowly but necessarily. The film unfolds in only 70 minutes, so there's not really a lot of time for great character detail but it is interesting but the way it presents his story and is non-stop action. Not much different then other war movies of varying missions, but the way it is presented with an interracial theme as a little different touch. Maybe not a classic TV movie, but one definitely worth seeing for this great cast early in their career and veteran actor Boyd cast against type.