Stuck on a cargo ship during WWII, Mr. Roberts (Henry Fonda) longs for another assignment that would allow him to get into combat. But his captain (James Cagney) is a selfish man who has personal reasons for keeping Roberts on his ship. The captain is also an anti-intellectual who resents Roberts' college education. The crew dislikes the captain due to his bitter, sadistic personality.
Ensign Pulver's (Jack Lemmon) strategy is to avoid the captain altogether.
This is an uneven film that suffers from a mid-course change in directors and from differences in directorial vision. Conditions on the set were contentious. Perhaps that is why so many involved with the film said later they disliked it or hated making it.
Jack Lemmon, who was early in his film career, won the Oscar for his supporting role, but he played a minor part that would easily be eclipsed by many of his later roles. Among those who were beaten for that Oscar were Arthur O'Connell, who gave a stellar performance in "Picnic".
The film does have a strong ending. And watch for William Powell playing the ship's doctor in his last film role.
Ensign Pulver's (Jack Lemmon) strategy is to avoid the captain altogether.
This is an uneven film that suffers from a mid-course change in directors and from differences in directorial vision. Conditions on the set were contentious. Perhaps that is why so many involved with the film said later they disliked it or hated making it.
Jack Lemmon, who was early in his film career, won the Oscar for his supporting role, but he played a minor part that would easily be eclipsed by many of his later roles. Among those who were beaten for that Oscar were Arthur O'Connell, who gave a stellar performance in "Picnic".
The film does have a strong ending. And watch for William Powell playing the ship's doctor in his last film role.