A Walk in the Sun (1945)

100% of critics liked it
(5 reviews)
66% of users liked it
(1,633 ratings)

Harry Brown's honest, unsentimental WW2 novel A Walk in the Sun has been effectively adapted for the screen by Robert Rossen. Dana Andrews stars as Sgt. Tyne, a platoon squad leader in Italy who ends up assuming command of his platoon after a series of deaths. As they prepare to attack an isolated… More Harry Brown's honest, unsentimental WW2 novel A Walk in the Sun has been effectively adapted for the screen by Robert Rossen. Dana Andrews stars as Sgt. Tyne, a platoon squad leader in Italy who ends up assuming command of his platoon after a series of deaths. As they prepare to attack an isolated Nazi-held farmhouse, each of the infantymen reveals his true character as he dwells upon his background and contemplates the job at hand. The film's effectiveness lies in the non-cliched characterizations by a carefully chosen all-male cast. Huntz Hall of "East Side Kids" fame is particularly good in a scene wherein he argues over whether the human body or the leaf is the most complicated natural structure. Director Lewis Milestone's use of a ballad to link the action predates High Noon by some seven years. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 57 min.
Directed By: Lewis Milestone
Genres: Drama, Classics

In Theaters: Dec 25, 1945 Wide
On DVD: Jul 14, 1998
Studio: Madacy Entertainment

Critic Reviews

John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
These are ordinary men in extraordinary circumstances. And they are very, very scared. (Restored Collector's Edition)
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
...a quiet mood piece, lyrical and elegiac, more than it is an action adventure. As such, it works wonderfully well.
Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com
Gritty, realistic WWII yarn with strong cast directed by Lewis Milestone.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Might be the best WWII film.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Dimitris S

Respected director Lewis Milestone struggles to achieve the sound of fury as in Western Front.Well,there's exclamation alright and noisy distraction but where has all this aesthetic poetry gone?A minor triumph in spite of the many introverted sequences and non-linear battles.

Cast

            Dana Andrews as Sgt. Tyne

            Richard Conte as Rivera

            John Ireland as Windy

            George Tyne as Friedman

            Norman Lloyd as Archimbeau

            Lloyd Bridges as Sgt. Ward

            Herbert Rudley as Sgt. Porter

            Huntz Hall as Carraway

            Sterling Holloway as McWilliams

            Richard Benedict as Tranella

            James B. Cardwell as Sgt. Hoskins

            Chris Drake as Rankin

            George Offerman as Tinker

            Danny Desmond as Trasker

            Victor Cutler as Cousin

            Steve Brodie as Judson

            Alvin Hammer as Johnson

            Matt Willis as Sergeant Halverson

            Robert Lowell as Lieutenant Rand

            Tony Dante as Giorgio

            Harry Cline as Cpl. Kramer

            Dick Daniels as Long

            John Kellogg as Riddle

            Grant Maiben as Smith

            Jay Norris as James

            Malcolm O'Giuinn as Phelps

            Don Summers as Dugan

            George Turner as Reconnaissance

            Ted Offenbecker as Tinker
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