Battle Cry (1955)

80% of critics liked it
(5 reviews)
38% of users liked it
(1,827 ratings)

Adapted by Leon Uris from his own novel, the film follows a group of World War II marines, from Basic Training to Battlefield. Major Van Heflin knows that his men are spoiling for a real fight, but must make do with the desultory skirmishes assigned them by the Brass. All this changes with an… More Adapted by Leon Uris from his own novel, the film follows a group of World War II marines, from Basic Training to Battlefield. Major Van Heflin knows that his men are spoiling for a real fight, but must make do with the desultory skirmishes assigned them by the Brass. All this changes with an onslaught of heavy-duty battling in the South Pacific. Aldo Ray plays a tough leatherneck who falls in love with demure Nancy Olson, while James Whitmore, Tab Hunter, Dorothy Malone and Raymond Massey costar. And watch for young Justus McQueen, cast as private L.Q. Jones; McQueen liked his character name so much that he adopted it as his professional cognomen. Composer Max Steiner's musical score earned him an Oscar nomination. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 2 hr. 49 min.
Directed By: Raoul Walsh
Written By: Leon Uris
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Classics

In Theaters: Feb 2, 1955 Wide
On DVD: May 13, 2003

Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Benefiting from a great cast (Van Heflin, Aldo Ray, James Whitemore), Raoul Walsh's WWII actioner is one of the most commercially popular war movies ever made.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
More a soap opera story of wartime romances than an action war film.
Michael E. Grost, Classic Film and Television
Fascinating soap opera romance with a little bit of World War II background.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

jay n

Large scale WWII drama mixes battle sequences with personal stories. Good acting from a large cast.

Cast

            Van Heflin as Maj. Sam Huxley

            Aldo Ray as Andy Hookens

            Mona Freeman as Kathy Walker

            Nancy Olson as Mrs. Pat Rogers

            James Whitmore as Sgt. Mac/Narrator

            Tab Hunter as Danny Forrester

            Dorothy Malone as Mrs. Elaine Yarborough

            Raymond Massey as Gen. Snipes

            Anne Francis as Rae

            William Campbell as Ski

            John Lupton as Marion Hotchkiss

            Perry Lopez as Joe Gomez

            Fess Parker as Speedy

            Chief Jonas Applegarth as Lighttower

            Tommy Cook as Ziltch

            Felix Noriego as Crazy Horse

            Susan Morrow as Susan

            Carleton Young as Maj. Jim Wellman

            Rhys Williams as Enoch Rogers

            Allyn Ann McLerie as Ruby Waitress

            Gregory Walcott as Sgt. Jim Beller

            Frank Ferguson as Mr. Hector Walker

            Willis B. Bouchey as Mr. Forrester

            Lee Allen
            
            Chick Chandler as Chaplain

            Don Durant
            
            Victor Millan as Pedro

            Sarah Selby as Mrs. Forrester

            L.Q. Jones as L.Q. Jones

            Glenn Denning as Sea Bags
See full cast