Fixed Bayonets!
Encyclopedia
Fixed Bayonets! is a war film written and directed by Samuel Fuller
and produced by Twentieth Century-Fox during the Korean War
. It is Fuller's second film about the Korean War. In his motion picture debut, James Dean
appears briefly in the film.
. The story follows the fate of a lone 48 man platoon
left as a rear guard
to defend a hill in hostile territory, to cover the withdrawal of their division
over an exposed bridge. The subplot explores the psychological makeup of the individuals charged with leadership of the platoon, and therein examines the nature of service and valor. Ultimately command of the platoon falls upon Cpl. Denno (Richard Basehart
), who has an innate aversion to responsibility for the lives of others.
and sought to better the imitations of that film on the then topical subject of the Korean War
.
Having had problems with Fuller's The Steel Helmet, The U.S. Army assigned Medal of Honor
recipient Raymond Harvey
as the film's technical advisor
. Samuel Fuller, himself a decorated World War II
veteran, forged a bond with Harvey which endured; Harvey again served as technical adviser in the 1958 film Verboten!
. Fixed Bayonets! is also noteworthy as the first appearance, albeit uncredited, of James Dean
in a feature film.
Though an original story, Darryl F. Zanuck
thought the story of the reluctant Richard Basehart's unwillingness to take command was reminiscent of Fox's Immortal Sergeant
and Fox ordered a screen credit for the writer of that film.
Fuller relates that with the large number of action films made during the time, the film had trouble getting some extras for the opening retreat scene. A production assistant was able to find some dancers from a musical and after costuming, Fuller had them convincingly simulate fatigue and depression by loading their uniforms and packs with heavy weights.
Samuel Fuller
Samuel Michael Fuller was an American screenwriter, novelist, and film director known for low-budget genre movies with controversial themes.-Personal life:...
and produced by Twentieth Century-Fox during the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
. It is Fuller's second film about the Korean War. In his motion picture debut, James Dean
James Dean
James Byron Dean was an American film actor. He is a cultural icon, best embodied in the title of his most celebrated film, Rebel Without a Cause , in which he starred as troubled Los Angeles teenager Jim Stark...
appears briefly in the film.
Plot
The film is set in the first winter of Korean WarKorean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
. The story follows the fate of a lone 48 man platoon
Platoon
A platoon is a military unit typically composed of two to four sections or squads and containing 16 to 50 soldiers. Platoons are organized into a company, which typically consists of three, four or five platoons. A platoon is typically the smallest military unit led by a commissioned officer—the...
left as a rear guard
Rear guard
A rear guard or rearguard is that part of a military force that protects it from attack from the rear, either during an advance or withdrawal...
to defend a hill in hostile territory, to cover the withdrawal of their division
Division (military)
A division is a large military unit or formation usually consisting of between 10,000 and 20,000 soldiers. In most armies, a division is composed of several regiments or brigades, and in turn several divisions typically make up a corps...
over an exposed bridge. The subplot explores the psychological makeup of the individuals charged with leadership of the platoon, and therein examines the nature of service and valor. Ultimately command of the platoon falls upon Cpl. Denno (Richard Basehart
Richard Basehart
John Richard Basehart was an American actor. He starred in the 1960s television science fiction drama Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, in the role of Admiral Harriman Nelson.-Career:...
), who has an innate aversion to responsibility for the lives of others.
Cast
- Richard BasehartRichard BasehartJohn Richard Basehart was an American actor. He starred in the 1960s television science fiction drama Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, in the role of Admiral Harriman Nelson.-Career:...
– Cpl. Denno - Gene EvansGene EvansGene Evans was an American actor.He was born in Holbrook, Arizona, but reared in Colton, California. His acting career began while he was serving in World War II. He performed with a theatrical troupe of GIs in Europe. Evans made his film debut in 1947 and appeared in dozens of movies and...
– Sgt. Rock - Michael O'SheaMichael O'Shea (actor)Michael O'Shea , was an American character actor whose career spanned from the 1940s-1960s. O'Shea was born in Hartford, Connecticut...
– Sgt. Lonergan - Richard Hylton – Medic John Wheeler
- Skip HomeierSkip Homeier-Career:Homeier began acting as Skippy Homeier at the age of six, on the radio show Portia Faces Life. From 1943 until 1944 he played the role of Emil in the Broadway play, Tomorrow the World. Cast as a child indoctrinated into Nazism, who is brought to the United States from Germany following the...
– Whitey - David Wolfson – Bigmouth
- Henry KulkyHenry KulkyHenry Kulky was an American actor and former professional wrestler from Hastings-on-Hudson, New York, probably best remembered as Chief Petty Officer Curly Jones from season 1 of Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea....
– Vogl - James DeanJames DeanJames Byron Dean was an American film actor. He is a cultural icon, best embodied in the title of his most celebrated film, Rebel Without a Cause , in which he starred as troubled Los Angeles teenager Jim Stark...
– Doggie (uncredited)
Production
Fixed Bayonets! was the first film of a seven picture deal between Twentieth Century-Fox and writer/director Fuller. Fox had been impressed with Fuller's The Steel HelmetThe Steel Helmet
The Steel Helmet is a war film directed by Samuel Fuller and produced by Lippert Studios during the Korean War. It was the first film about the war, and the first of several war films by producer-director-writer Fuller.-Plot:...
and sought to better the imitations of that film on the then topical subject of the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
.
Having had problems with Fuller's The Steel Helmet, The U.S. Army assigned Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
recipient Raymond Harvey
Raymond Harvey
Raymond Harvey was a lieutenant colonel in the United States Army who served during World War II and the Korean War. He received the Medal of Honor for his actions on March 9, 1951.-Early years and military service:...
as the film's technical advisor
Technical advisor
A technical advisor is an individual who is expert in a particular field of knowledge, hired to provide detailed information and advice to people working in that field...
. Samuel Fuller, himself a decorated World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
veteran, forged a bond with Harvey which endured; Harvey again served as technical adviser in the 1958 film Verboten!
Verboten!
Verboten! is a 1959 film written, produced and directed by Samuel Fuller. It was the last film of the influential but troubled RKO studio, which co-produced it with Fuller's own Globe Enterprises. It was filmed at the RKO Forty Acres backlot...
. Fixed Bayonets! is also noteworthy as the first appearance, albeit uncredited, of James Dean
James Dean
James Byron Dean was an American film actor. He is a cultural icon, best embodied in the title of his most celebrated film, Rebel Without a Cause , in which he starred as troubled Los Angeles teenager Jim Stark...
in a feature film.
Though an original story, Darryl F. Zanuck
Darryl F. Zanuck
Darryl Francis Zanuck was an American producer, writer, actor, director and studio executive who played a major part in the Hollywood studio system as one of its longest survivors...
thought the story of the reluctant Richard Basehart's unwillingness to take command was reminiscent of Fox's Immortal Sergeant
Immortal Sergeant
Immortal Sergeant is a 1943 war film set in the North African desert during World War II. It stars Henry Fonda as a corporal lacking in confidence in both love and war, Maureen O'Hara as his girlfriend, and Thomas Mitchell as the title character...
and Fox ordered a screen credit for the writer of that film.
Fuller relates that with the large number of action films made during the time, the film had trouble getting some extras for the opening retreat scene. A production assistant was able to find some dancers from a musical and after costuming, Fuller had them convincingly simulate fatigue and depression by loading their uniforms and packs with heavy weights.
External links
- original film trailer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K21O3UObboU