Starring Richard Basehart, Gene Evans, Michael O’Shea, Richard Hylton, Skip Homeier, David Wolfson, Henry Kulky, Craig Hill
Directed by Samuel Fuller
Expectations: Another Sam Fuller, I’m fairly positive I’ll enjoy this, but as it’s his first studio picture I’m worried it may be watered down.
It’s no secret to frequent visitors that Samuel Fuller is one of my most favorite filmmakers. The man was years ahead of his time and his films continue to resonate just as well, if not better, than they did upon release. I approached my viewing of Fixed Bayonets! with slight apprehension though, as I feared that Fuller’s transition to the studio system (his previous three films were all independently produced) would cramp his style a bit. While Fixed Bayonets! does not have the hard-hitting social commentary and racial tension of Fuller’s other 1951 film, The Steel Helmet, it makes up for that with hard-hitting war action and survival drama. This is essentially a smaller, more localized version of Fuller’s epic The Big Red One.
A regiment of US soldiers is behind enemy lines and needs to make their way across the only bridge out of the area. In order to do so, they need a diversion. One platoon of about twenty guys stays behind as a rear guard, hoping to hold back the enemy long enough for the regiment to make it across unscathed. What follows is a harrowing military action film, as each man in the platoon fights for their survival with death looming heavy over every action of the small group of men.
This is a much more action-packed film than The Steel Helmet, which is understandable considering the budget differences. Fuller expertly utilizes the money and time given to him by having a major studio backing his film, as the film features incredible camera & crane work and some of the best explosions early war films have to offer. Every rattling mortar blast literally shakes the screen, adding an extra layer to an already impressive film. The sets themselves are also incredible pieces of work. While at times it’s clear that they are Hollywood sound stages, they still create a wonderful illusion of snowy hillsides and mountain ranges. There’s also a stunning cave set that looks beautiful in its ragged, natural state and I had to remind myself several times that it was only a set.
One particular shot showcases the masterful crane work and the sets when Sgt. Rock (Gene Evans) walks out of the cave, conversing with one of the men. Shots ring out and Sgt. Rock quickly returns suppressing fire before climbing down the side of the cliff as quickly as possible, running across the canyon floor and up the other side of the hill. Inside a small slot an enemy solider creeps out but is dealt with swiftly when Sgt. Rock bayonets him without remorse. He then climbs up further to yell at the men keeping watch on top of the hill. All of this is in one shot with the camera craning around the massive set, following the agile Gene Evans.
When characters die in Fixed Bayonets! there aren’t any drawn-out moments of dramatic clawing at their wounds or extended speeches from their death beds. If a man is shot dead, he drops dead right where he stands without a hint of dramatic flopping. One character’s death in particular is quite harsh, as he tells his fellow soldier’s not to bother bandaging him as he is dead and then goes silent waiting for a response. When the other men look up they see that he sits with a glassy stare in his eyes, motionless and unmistakably dead. There is a power in this quiet moment that no amount of dramatic posturing could muster.
There’s more war drama and exciting action packed into the slim ninety-one minute runtime of Fixed Bayonets! than in most three-hour modern war epics. It is a testament to the power of Fuller’s craft that a film he made sixty years ago still has this amount of power and gravity to its scenes. Fixed Bayonets! is one of the great war films of the 1950s and you’ve probably never even heard of it. Highly recommended.