The theft of an expensive jewel involves three brothers that forces them to join the foreign legion (a military branch), where they experience an attempted mutiny against the evil sergeant who has them in command and a battle with their war enemies at the same time.
Adapted from the work of the same name by P. C. Wren. Directed by the multifaceted William A. Wellman, he provides exquisite shots and plans in this desert and battlefield. The best of the director is not capable, but I think that the passing of the years has not helped it either. It made me a good movie, a bit confusing both its beginning and end but I have to say that the combat scene that happens in the fort overshadowed me and it was like time freezing (and I don't mean in a bad way). Desperation grows and hopes that they will get out of there alive. The appeal of the jewel is important to give certain messages of honesty, loyalty and brotherhood but it did not seem as clear as it seems to be.
A cast with good actors but a bit flat performances on the brothers. I want to put some blame on the script on the superficiality of characters like Robert Preston who barely appears and not long ago. Unlike Gary Cooper who is always present with a classy and vain performance but nothing that we have not seen from him. Ray Milland was the best of the three, and the significance of his character helped him a lot as a bridge to various things in the film.
But the real GREAT ACTOR of the film is Brian Donlevy, with his cruel, ruthless, cold and even cynical sergeant in a certain point of view (Nominated for 'Best Supporting Actor' for this role).
Adapted from the work of the same name by P. C. Wren. Directed by the multifaceted William A. Wellman, he provides exquisite shots and plans in this desert and battlefield. The best of the director is not capable, but I think that the passing of the years has not helped it either. It made me a good movie, a bit confusing both its beginning and end but I have to say that the combat scene that happens in the fort overshadowed me and it was like time freezing (and I don't mean in a bad way). Desperation grows and hopes that they will get out of there alive. The appeal of the jewel is important to give certain messages of honesty, loyalty and brotherhood but it did not seem as clear as it seems to be.
A cast with good actors but a bit flat performances on the brothers. I want to put some blame on the script on the superficiality of characters like Robert Preston who barely appears and not long ago. Unlike Gary Cooper who is always present with a classy and vain performance but nothing that we have not seen from him. Ray Milland was the best of the three, and the significance of his character helped him a lot as a bridge to various things in the film.
But the real GREAT ACTOR of the film is Brian Donlevy, with his cruel, ruthless, cold and even cynical sergeant in a certain point of view (Nominated for 'Best Supporting Actor' for this role).