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The Young Lions | Year: 1958 Classification: Drama Directed: - Edward Dmytryk Actors/Actresses: - Marlon Brando - Montgomery Clift A War Epic Told from Both Sides Released in 1958, this black and white WW2 story traces 3 men - two American, one German - through the trials and tribulations of that war. Stars Marlon Brando, Montgomery Clift and Dean Martin. Marlon is a young German watchmaker who always dreamed of being a doctor - but the strict caste system of europe has held him down. While he realizes the Nazis are a bit extreme, he hopes they will help to bring opportunity to all people. Dean is a young Broadway god who loves the wine, women and song. When he's drafted, he tries to get out of it, to maintain his easy going life. He runs into Noah (Clift) at the draft board - a young, poor Jewish man who has no family and only a simple job at Macy's. The two hang out and Noah falls in love with a quiet Vermont girl. The movie is truly an epic as it spans the entire war, from its quiet start to its brutal end. Along the way we realize that there is good and bad on all sides. Marlon's character tries to make a stand for what is right, but is told repeatedly that a good German soldier follows orders. He falls in love with a French widow. Noah is repeatedly beaten on (both emotionally and literally) for being a poor Jew by those whose side he is on. His future father in law only reluctantly accepts him, and his squadron mates steal his money and fight him. Dean refuses to marry his long time sweetheart and does his best to avoid any risks. While some might say the story is a cliche, perhaps this is only because the story is so TRUE. It is always good to be reminded just how rough a war really is, and how there are no real "bad guys" and "good guys". There are only brave men and women who try their best and grow along the awy. Although filmed in black and white, you do get some lovely Bavarian landscapes at the beginning, when Marlon is a ski instructor. Later, Marlon goes to Berlin a few times to meet with the wife of his commanding officer. The rest of the footage is in war-torn Paris, the surrounding countryside, the deserts of Africa, and the cities of London and New York. Brando takes acting honors in 'The Young Lions' Of the three primary story threads traced in "The Young Lions" --Marlon Brando as a conflicted Nazi soldier, Dean Martin as an American showbiz type who fights to overcome his fear of entering the war, and Montgomery Clift as a Jewish-American soldier who has to overcome the racism of his Army mates -- the Brando storyline emerges as the most compelling. It's certainly the most purely dramatic storyline, and the most complete. Add to that Brando's brilliant performance, and the strong supporting performances of Maximillian Schell, Parley Baer and Mai Britt, all of whom surround the Brando character, and you have enough for a satisfying movie by itself. Further, Hugo Friedhofer's masterful score always seems -- at least to me -- to soar to its greatest heights when we find ourselves in a boiling desert with the Afrika Korps, or in Paris with Brando's Nazi unit during the occupation. Does this nearly three-hour film suffer from this lopsided state of affairs? Not really, and that says a lot for the sheer craftsmanship of "The Young Lions." The cinematography and direction are first rate, and while the Clift and Martin storylines aren't as fascinating as Brando's, they do hold your interest. Clift gets across the fierce determination his character possesses, and Martin makes the most of several nice bon mots the script tosses his way. "The Young Lions" is a fine World War II film, one that definitely rewards repeated viewings. different kind of war storey although a bit long, this storey of 3 soldiers in ww 2, is a good one, dean martin bascially plays himself...., (...)actor Buy The Young Lions at Amazon.com Buy posters at Allposters.com Jamster - the latest ringtones for your phone!  Search with Walhello on the Internet on The Young Lions Search with the Priority Search Engine on The Young Lions This page in other languages: Suomeksi | Nederlands | Deutsch
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