Synopsis
Set in France in 1918, What Price Glory centres on a company of marines headedby James Cagney. He and his more conventionally military First Sergeant (Dan Dailey) arequickly at loggerheads over the same woman, an omnipresent theme in the recent releases of theFox War Classics series. Equally obligatory, it seems, is the presence of Robert Wagner, whoseromance is a side-story here. So is the war, which really doesn’t play much of a part until the lastact. Most of the …est of the film is quarrelling and horsing around. This is perhaps not toosurprising given the story’s stage play origins, but one can’t help but wish for more from directorJohn Ford.
Audio
Pretty harsh stuff. There is a fair bit of sibilance and buzz here, even granting the film’s 1952vintage. The surround aspects are low key, which is, on balance, a good thing. Though thecontribution of the rear speakers isn’t particularly audible, that means that the flaws (surrounddialogue being the principle one) aren’t as apparent either. The original mono track is alsoincluded.
Video
That the film is older is apparent from the quality of the print. There is noticeable grain, andthough the image (whose fullscreen presentation is the original aspect) is decently sharp, it isn’tperfect. The colours are solid, but prone to fluctuation. The transfer is watchable, but not on parwith what you would find with a restored film.
Special Features
Two theatrical trailers, plus trailers for Crash Dive, The Hunters andMorituri. That’s it.
Closing Thoughts
Middling movie, middling transfer, bare bones disc. Strictly for the hard-core war moviejunkies.
Special Features List
- Theatrical Trailers
