Fear and Desire (1953)

User Rating:

6.1/10   

Director:

Stanley Kubrick

Writer:

Howard Sackler (writer)

Release Date:

1 April 1953 (USA)

Genre:

War | Drama

Tagline:

Trapped... 4 Desperate Men and a Strange Half-Animal Girl! and the Story of French Prostitute... and The Male Brute

Plot:

Four soldiers trapped behind enemy lines must confront their fears and desires.

Cast

Frank Silvera	...	Sgt. Mac
Paul Mazursky	...	Pvt. Sidney
Kenneth Harp	...	Lt. Corby / enemy general
Stephen Coit	...	Pvt. Fletcher (aide-de-camp) (as Steve Coit)
Virginia Leith	...	Young Girl

Also Known As:

Shape of Fear (USA) (working title)
The Trap (USA) (original script title)

Runtime:

72 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Filming Locations:

San Gabriel Mountains, California, USA

Company:

Kubrick

Trivia:

Originally shot silent with a budget of US$13,000. The budget went up an additional US$20,000 when the actors dubbed their lines in a studio.

Quotes:

Sergeant Mac: It's better to roll up your life into one night and one man and one gun.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in True Romance (1993)

Odd, interesting tale of madness.

An extra point for style. Kubrick style, without a budget, without experience; don't re-make a hit/classic if you can re-make something like this. The story is interesting but makes no more sense than the madness of war, which is what is depicted. Could be a bit shocking, dealing as it does with moral issues that are so basic many people would rather not admit that they exist. Attempting to depict such weirdness is part of Kubrick's (now) well known genius. Really interesting and sometimes downright good use of camera and sound. Always do your best, dear reader, for even you first movie could be your last.