The Fighting 69th (1940)

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(430 ratings)

Officially, America had no intention of entering the Second World War in 1940: Why, then, were there so many "preparedness" pictures like The Fighting 69th? This film, based on the experiences of military priest Father Duffy (Pat O'Brien), is set during World War I. The US 69th division was a… More Officially, America had no intention of entering the Second World War in 1940: Why, then, were there so many "preparedness" pictures like The Fighting 69th? This film, based on the experiences of military priest Father Duffy (Pat O'Brien), is set during World War I. The US 69th division was a national guard contingent comprised of Irish Americans, who fought with the Rainbow Division in the years 1917-1918. Into this Hibernian stronghold comes cocky Jerry Plunkett (Jimmy Cagney), a streetwise tough who is certain that he can lick the Germans single-handedly. But during his first taste of real combat, Plunkett turns coward and inadvertently reveals the 69th's position. Held responsible for the deaths of his companions, Plunkett is sentenced to a firing squad. Thanks to a conveniently dropped bomb that levels the stockade in which he is held, Plunkett redeems himself on the battlefield by sacrificing his life to save his fellow soldiers. The beauty of James Cagney's star performance is that he is as thoroughly convincing as a "yellow belly" as he is a hero. In addition to father Duffy, the real-life personages depicted in The Fighting 69th include future OSS leader Wild Bill Donovan (George Brent) and poet Joyce Kilmer (Jeffrey Lynn). Other Irish "regulars" include Alan Hale, Frank McHugh, Dennis Morgan, and Sammy Cohen. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 29 min.
Directed By: William Keighley
Written By: Norman Reilly Raine, Fred Niblo, Dean Franklin
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Classics

In Theaters: Jan 27, 1940 Wide
On DVD: Apr 24, 2007
Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures

Critic Reviews

Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com
Among best of Cagney-O'Brien Warner team-ups, this one set in WWI.
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
...given the time this movie was made, just before the Second World War, it seems justified for tapping into the public sentiment.
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
The Fighting 69th...may become a gushy tearjerker by its end, but you can't argue that its heart isn't in the right place.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
In one of his few war films, Cagney displays his "specialty" of explosive energy, as a despicable Irishman, who initially sneers at the regiment's traditions but then learns the hard way the mistakes of his cowardice and irresponsibility.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
A sentimental recruiting poster account of the famed First World War New York National Guard division of mostly Irish-Americans.

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Featured Audience Ratings

cody f

This film is weird. Cagney is a brawler who becomes a coward in the face of war and gets half of his battalion killed. He finds religion, kills a bunch of Germans and redeems himself. It's Cagney so it's enjoyable, but you don't like his character and you never root for… More
This film is weird. Cagney is a brawler who becomes a coward in the face of war and gets half of his battalion killed. He finds religion, kills a bunch of Germans and redeems himself. It's Cagney so it's enjoyable, but you don't like his character and you never root for him. Very strange.

Cast

            James Cagney as Jerry Plunkett

            Pat O'Brien as Father Duffy

            George Brent as Wild Bill Donovan

            Jeffrey Lynn as Joyce Kilmer

            Alan Hale as Sgt. Big Mike Wynn

            Frank McHugh as "Crepe Hanger" Burke

            Dick Foran as John Wynn

            William Lundigan as Timmy Wynn

            Guinn 'Big Boy' Williams as Paddy Dolan

            Henry O'Neill as The Colonel

            John Litel as Capt. Mangan

            Sammy Cohen as Mike Murphy

            Harvey Stephens as Maj. Anderson

            Tom Dugan as Pvt. McManus

            Frank Wilcox as Lt. Norman

            Eddie Acuff
            
            Guy Anderson [Herbert] as Casey

            Herbert Anderson as Casey

            John Arledge as Alabama man

            Trevor Bardette as Alabama man

            Nat Carr
            
            Frank Coghlan Jr. as Jimmy

            Joseph Crehan as Doctor

            Ralph Dunn as Medical captain

            Edgar Edwards as Engineer officer

            Frank Faylen as Engineer sgt. at cave-in

            James Flavin as Supply sergeant

            Arno Frey as German officer

            Edmund Glover as Alabama Man

            Sol (Saul) Gorss as Soldier

            Creighton Hale
            
            John Harron as Carroll

            William Hopper as Pvt. Turner

            J. Anthony Hughes as Healey

            Jacques Lory as Waiter

            Wilfred Lucas as Doctor

            Frank Mayo as Capt. Bootz

            Frank Melton as Alabama man

            Dennis Morgan as Lt. Ames

            Jack Mower
            
            Byron Nelson as Soldier

            Jack Perrin as Major

            John Ridgely as Moran

            Frank Sully as Sergeant

            Charles Trowbridge as Chaplain Holmes

            Roland Varno as German Officer

            Emmett Vogan as Doctor

            Jack Wise
            
            George Reeves as Jack O'Keefe

            Benny Rubin
            
            Edward Dew as Regan

            George O'Hanlon as Eddie

            Richard Clayton as Tierney

            Jerry Fletcher as Telephonist

            Jeff Lynn
            
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