One expects a lot from a star studded movie. Usually they turn out to be terrible movies, such as McKenna's Gold. This one is a good movie. It covers the lives of three different men during World War II, up to the moment they converge. Brando is a German soldier. Clift and Martin are American soldiers. At the time, it was heresy to say anything bad about Dino, but lately, since he's been exposed as a total ass, I feel free to say he was never a good actor, and was out of place in the film, particularly when the others performed so well. He never convinces us as a character, even a shallow character. When he is on camera, you know someone is saying lines, and it averts from the experience everyone else worked so well to achieve. Another fallacy in the film is the contrivance of the chance meeting at the end. It is just a bit Hollywood, but since it is the only real "Hollywood" part, it is remotely credible. There are some major scenes, mostly involving Brando or Clift. The scene in which Clift watches the resolution between death camp survivors and mayor, by Franz, is easily the classic scene of the movie, and one of the all time great scenes. I grade hard, so my rating means it is a good movie. A few flaws, but better than most. Would have been much better if someone else had Martin's role.
Review of The Young Lions
