Great subject matter that opened dialogs and minds about socio-political post war Europe (Germany.) Well cast, with honest and moving performances. I believe it was one of the first of its kind, and for that it should be commended.
It should come as no surprise that Richard Egan carries this picture as the lead, with a group of capable and fine actors. The one exception is Gene Kelly. He's not an actor; he was a showman. I recently heard Kelly took issue with taller, masculine men (and at 5'7, it wasn't hard to out "stand" him) who actually sounded like the leading men they were. With Richard Egan leading the pack, there was no shortage of these men. As such, Kelly should have been more concerned with his performance, and matching up to the talents that were cast to surround and support his "performance."
It should come as no surprise that Richard Egan carries this picture as the lead, with a group of capable and fine actors. The one exception is Gene Kelly. He's not an actor; he was a showman. I recently heard Kelly took issue with taller, masculine men (and at 5'7, it wasn't hard to out "stand" him) who actually sounded like the leading men they were. With Richard Egan leading the pack, there was no shortage of these men. As such, Kelly should have been more concerned with his performance, and matching up to the talents that were cast to surround and support his "performance."