The great, generous, charitable, humble and magnanimous liberal Paul Newman once said that his proudest moment was when he was put on Richard Nixon's "enemy list." I would imagine that Rod Serling, one of the writers of this screenplay, wouldn't have been a favorite of Nixon, either. This film seemed to share at least some of the sensibilities of commie baiting Nixon and his sacred House UnAmerican Activities Committee.
Yes, we see both sides, but the characters are so cold and barely sympathetic that it's hard to care or to have an opinion. We don't fully understand exactly what Paul did, what information he revealed or how his actions hurt his fellow soldiers. Were actual veterans tried for the same "high crimes" after the Korean war? Both Paul and Rod were young and relatively new to success in the industry, when this one was made. If it had been done ten years later, when both writer and star were major names and had far more control of their output, I'm guessing the film might have had an entirely different perspective.
And we don't find out the sentence Paul is given, after being found guilty of three treason related crimes. Because of that, we don't know how severe the authorities considered his actions or what might have happened to actual soldiers who were put on trial for similar acts. Was Paul's character given three years in prison with a suspended sentence or was he executed? The film doesn't give a clue. And again, it doesn't tell you exactly what his character said or did or how his words or actions led to other soldiers being hurt. And I don't really understand his defense or have much sympathy for him.
I give it four stars because of Paul Newman, Rod Serling and intelligent, well written dialogue. I didn't think Paul could play a character that I didn't care about or have any feelings about one way or another, though. I didn't care if he went to prison, I didn't care if he went free, I didn't care if he was executed. I didn't care much about his father or sister in law, either. And I didn't know that Rod could write a script that essentially went along with the Commie bashing sentiments of the McCarthy era. Again, Paul's character puts up a defense but not in any way that convinced me.
Sorry Paul and Rod. This was probably the only thing that either of you did that didn't stir any emotions and left me totally indifferent.
Yes, we see both sides, but the characters are so cold and barely sympathetic that it's hard to care or to have an opinion. We don't fully understand exactly what Paul did, what information he revealed or how his actions hurt his fellow soldiers. Were actual veterans tried for the same "high crimes" after the Korean war? Both Paul and Rod were young and relatively new to success in the industry, when this one was made. If it had been done ten years later, when both writer and star were major names and had far more control of their output, I'm guessing the film might have had an entirely different perspective.
And we don't find out the sentence Paul is given, after being found guilty of three treason related crimes. Because of that, we don't know how severe the authorities considered his actions or what might have happened to actual soldiers who were put on trial for similar acts. Was Paul's character given three years in prison with a suspended sentence or was he executed? The film doesn't give a clue. And again, it doesn't tell you exactly what his character said or did or how his words or actions led to other soldiers being hurt. And I don't really understand his defense or have much sympathy for him.
I give it four stars because of Paul Newman, Rod Serling and intelligent, well written dialogue. I didn't think Paul could play a character that I didn't care about or have any feelings about one way or another, though. I didn't care if he went to prison, I didn't care if he went free, I didn't care if he was executed. I didn't care much about his father or sister in law, either. And I didn't know that Rod could write a script that essentially went along with the Commie bashing sentiments of the McCarthy era. Again, Paul's character puts up a defense but not in any way that convinced me.
Sorry Paul and Rod. This was probably the only thing that either of you did that didn't stir any emotions and left me totally indifferent.