Based on the 1959 novel, "Epitaph for an Enemy:. Photographed in black-and-white CinemaScope. Westrex Sound system. Producer: Christian Ferry. Copyright 23 June 1965 by Panoramic Productions. Released through 20th Century-Fox Film Corp. New York opening at the Capitol and other theaters: 9 June 1965. U.S. release: 2 June 1965. U.K. release: 17 January 1966. 8,805 feet. 98 minutes.
NOTES: Almost 80 per cent of the film was photographed on outdoor locations in the Normandy villages adjacent to the Utah landing beaches. Figuring importantly in these outdoor sequences is a typical farmhouse built of fieldstone and slate in the village of Octeville-la-Venelle. Several other rarely-photographed, tiny, picturesque towns within the 20-mile radius were used for backgrounds, and these include Azeville, Beuzeville, Saint Germain de Varreville and La Malasserie.
COMMENT: Despite his top editing credentials, Robert Parrish always was an indifferent director, blessed with an uncanny ability to transmute even the most promising material into the dreariest dross. "Up from the Beach:, for all the money that's floating about in remarkably lavish production values, is no exception. True, there are some exciting action spots, and the interesting support cast includes welcome cameos by Broderick Crawford and James Robertson Justice.
The main problem is that Parrish does nothing with the leads. The good sergeant is so glumly and negatively played by Cliff Robertson as not to elicit an iota of audience involvement or sympathy. Miss Demick does little better, though the blame cannot be attached entirely to her or Mr. Parrish. Some of the dialogue handed her by Mann and Brulé might fairly be described as a cinematic high point of sheer tedium.
NOTES: Almost 80 per cent of the film was photographed on outdoor locations in the Normandy villages adjacent to the Utah landing beaches. Figuring importantly in these outdoor sequences is a typical farmhouse built of fieldstone and slate in the village of Octeville-la-Venelle. Several other rarely-photographed, tiny, picturesque towns within the 20-mile radius were used for backgrounds, and these include Azeville, Beuzeville, Saint Germain de Varreville and La Malasserie.
COMMENT: Despite his top editing credentials, Robert Parrish always was an indifferent director, blessed with an uncanny ability to transmute even the most promising material into the dreariest dross. "Up from the Beach:, for all the money that's floating about in remarkably lavish production values, is no exception. True, there are some exciting action spots, and the interesting support cast includes welcome cameos by Broderick Crawford and James Robertson Justice.
The main problem is that Parrish does nothing with the leads. The good sergeant is so glumly and negatively played by Cliff Robertson as not to elicit an iota of audience involvement or sympathy. Miss Demick does little better, though the blame cannot be attached entirely to her or Mr. Parrish. Some of the dialogue handed her by Mann and Brulé might fairly be described as a cinematic high point of sheer tedium.