THEY FOUGHT BEST WHEN IT WAS HOPELESS!

In 1943, an American platoon is part of the Allied invasion of Italy, but face immediate dangers when their leader is wounded.

Lewis Milestone reunited with Robert Rossen after Edge of Darkness (1943), another World War II drama; both films were part of a propaganda effort where Milestone was a key player. Shot in the Santa Monica Mountains, the film never really feels like it. The cast is good, but remains a collective; no individual stands out.

An ambitious film to some degree, but the emotional and pretentious dialogue is an obstacle.

1945-U.S. 117 min. B/W. Directed by Lewis Milestone. Screenplay: Robert Rossen. Book: Harry Brown. Cast: Dana Andrews (Bill Tyne), Richard Conte (Rivera), George Tyne (Jake Friedman), John Ireland, Lloyd Bridges, Sterling Holloway, Norman Lloyd, Huntz Hall. Narrated by Burgess Meredith. 

Trivia: Co-produced by Milestone.