THE YOUNG LIONS: a side of that war where we don’t visit much…….

I am a fan of Brando, Martin, and especially Montgomery Clift.  The three leads in the film were all outstanding and Clift demonstrated his mastery of the screen as he stole the picture along with Hope Lange, an outstanding actress in every respect. Brando was the blond German, Martin the singer, and Clift the Jew.  Lange’s WASP character falls for Clift and the ending gives hope for the world. Viewing this war film as a child, there were scenes in it that I would never forget and after various viewings I still enjoy watching the greatest of the actors on display and Brando and Schell’s travels through the sands of North Africa on a motorbike, trying to escape the Allied army on their tail. This film dealt with various themes and is in my view, a thinking man’s movie of World War 2,  A major production with the biggest stars of cinema.

Variety  gave a positive review, and noted: “The Young Lions is a canvas of the Second World War of scope and stature. It’s a kingsized credit to all concerned, from Edward Anhalt’s skillful adaptation of Irwin Shaw’s novel to Edward Dmytryk’s realistic direction, and the highly competent portrayals of virtually everyone in the cast.”