Rating: NR
Genre:
Drama
Release Date: 12/16/2003
Dubbed: English
Sound: DD1
Run Time: 85 Minutes
Flags: Questionable for Children
Distributor/Studio: Republic Pictures
Fred Zinnemann's sensitive film on the plight of paraplegic WWII veterans features
Marlon Brando in his superbly moving screen debut. He plays
Lt. Bud Wilozek, one of a group of veterans recovering in the paraplegic ward of a hospital in his hometown. His former fiancée,
Ellen (
Theresa Wright), explains to his physician,
Dr. Brock (
Everett Sloane), her concern about his isolation and apparent depression since he has broken their engagment and refuses to see her. He counsels her to be patient, but when he decides to broach the issue with
Bud, the embittered patient reacts angrily to the doctor's intrusiveness, and continues to refuse to see
Ellen. The doctor cajoles the withdrawn paraplegic into the life of the ward, where fellow patients
Richard Erdman,
Jack Webb, and
Arthur Jurado begin to pull
Bud out of his spiritual miasma. At length, his sense of hope starts to return, and after seeing
Ellen for the first time in months, he begins to contemplate the possibility of marriage.
Zinnemann and screenwriter
Carl Foreman spent a month in a veteran's hospital researching the film, and
Brando lived in the paraplegic unit for a time as part of his preparation.
~ Michael Costello, All Movie Guide
