Rent A Walk in the Sun (1945)

A little walk in the Italian Sun - A Walk in the Sun review by NO

Too long & very dark at the beginning-difficult to make out who was who.Realistic with men who were afraid-no gung ho but too much silly

American talk.Glad it was B&W without gratuitous violence .Good characterships with dependable Actors but little action.Having read the

Crictics reviews,Iwas expecting something better but worth seeing.

Italian Campaign (spoiler). - A Walk in the Sun review by Steve

This follows a platoon of US infantry in WWII, from landing on a beach at Salerno to their primary objective, the seizing of a heavily defended farmhouse six miles away. Which they achieve through great loss of life. It is understated, and unheroic for a US war film. There is no propaganda. Much of the time, the men are waiting, or glimpsing distant flashes of combat.

Yet, it is theatrical. There are three narrative voices on the soundtrack, including a sung commentary of ballads. The constant impassive crosstalk of the soldiers is intended to be realistic; they rarely talk of the danger of their situation, but repeat verbal leitmotifs,  which are usually ironic: "You kill me', 'Nobody dies'. This chorus feels unreal and dreamlike and literary.

 Despite this, many returning soldiers said this best captured their experiences. They walk from the beach to the assignment as members of their group are picked off. The Lieutenant dies on the landing craft and his second in command becomes incapacitated through fear. Dana Andrews stands out as the pragmatic Sergeant suddenly thrust into the role of leader.

 This is another WWII film that brings together an ensemble of many ethnic and social groups.They capture the farmhouse bravely, but the stress of constant danger is unsustainable. It's a weary, noirish film which feels appropriate for men who have been at war for three years with no impression of how it will end. It is one of the best Hollywood combat film made in the war years .