The always dependable Sterling Hayden give the memorable performance as the real life World War II ship's captain John Madison Hoskins who decides if he wants to remain on active duty after he loses a foot. He even becomes an admiral, getting his own ship, and proving himself to be a commanding officer even after the war is over. With the support of wife Alexis Smith and their children (an adorable threesome, steam in the opening moments of the film taking that somebody is trying to break into their house), Hayden goes on with his duties, dealing with glitches in newly created jets (one seen having a fiery crash), as well as with his barely noticeable disability, having been influenced as well by a young arm amputee, Ben Cooper, who wants to join him on his ship, having had enough of civilian life.
This drama is really a series of events, not a plot of the story although the situation of the disability is presented with dignity and presents Hoskins as stubborn but devoted, tough but fair, and an all-around American hero. Hayden's performance is what really makes a film work, with fine support from Smith, Cooper, Hayden Rorke, Dean Jagger and Virginia Grey. It's a simple film with great military sequences, non-stop action yes it is rather a generic as far as war films go. Smith of course is strong and beautiful, but it would have been nice if her roles had been a bit more substantial. The film is satisfying nonetheless or the serious way it deals with military procedures during and after the war. Above average for a Republic film with a decent script, but I'm not sure that it was 100% necessary to be a film outside of showing how a disability doesn't have to stop someone from doing what they loved.
This drama is really a series of events, not a plot of the story although the situation of the disability is presented with dignity and presents Hoskins as stubborn but devoted, tough but fair, and an all-around American hero. Hayden's performance is what really makes a film work, with fine support from Smith, Cooper, Hayden Rorke, Dean Jagger and Virginia Grey. It's a simple film with great military sequences, non-stop action yes it is rather a generic as far as war films go. Smith of course is strong and beautiful, but it would have been nice if her roles had been a bit more substantial. The film is satisfying nonetheless or the serious way it deals with military procedures during and after the war. Above average for a Republic film with a decent script, but I'm not sure that it was 100% necessary to be a film outside of showing how a disability doesn't have to stop someone from doing what they loved.