The Victors (1963)

User Rating:

7.3/10   

Director:

Carl Foreman

Writers:

Alexander Baron (novel)
Carl Foreman (written for the screen by)

Release Date:

19 December 1963 (USA)

Genre:

War | Drama

Plot:

Intelligent, sprawling saga of a squad of American soldiers, following them through Europe during World War II.

Plot Keywords:

WWII | Beautiful Woman | Based On Novel

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 1 nomination

Cast

Vince Edwards	...	Baker (as Vincent Edwards)
Albert Finney	...	Russian Soldier
George Hamilton	...	Trower
Melina Mercouri	...	Magda
Jeanne Moreau	...	French Woman
George Peppard	...	Cpl. Chase
Maurice Ronet	...	French Lieutenant
Rosanna Schiaffino	...	Maria
Romy Schneider	...	Regine
Elke Sommer	...	Helga
Eli Wallach	...	Sgt. Craig
Michael Callan	...	Eldridge
Peter Fonda	...	Weaver
James Mitchum	...	Grogan (as Jim Mitchum)
Senta Berger	...	Trudi

Runtime:

175 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | French | German | Italian | Russian

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo (Westrex Recording System) | Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15

Filming Locations:

France

Company:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Goofs:

Factual errors: "Psst! Feind hört mit" meaning "Shh! Enemy is listening" appears in a scene on a wall. Then it changes to incorrect "Psst! Feine hört mit". Then it changes to the correct first version again.

Quotes:

Sgt. Craig: To Corporal Chase in the hospital: Stupid idiot! Get outta here!

Movie Connections:

References Little Miss Marker (1934)

Soundtrack:

Does Goodnight Mean Goodby?

profound influence

Knowing now the history of Carl Foreman, it's easier to understand the motivation behind "The Victors", his powerful statement about both WWII and the cold war that culminates with the nihilistic deaths of an American and a Russian soldier in Berlin at the end of the film. But having seen this all-time great film as a 14-year-old in 1962, it had such a profound effect on my life and feelings about war and the real tragedies that abound in any war zone. It was instrumental in my activism against the Vietnam War and lifelong pacifism.

Although I haven't seen it in at least 30 years, many scenes are still so vivid: The dog and Peter Fonda, the deserter's execution (that song will never be about happy American Christmases for me), the hospital visit to Sarge (Eli Wallach,) Vince Edwards, who was a big star as heroic humanistic doctor "Ben Casey" on TV at the time, and the sadness of his relationship with the Italian woman (and the mystery, to one sensitive 14-year old.) I know I saw the movie twice at one of Houston's late lamented movie palaces within a month of its release, I think I saw the long version. I would love to see a DVD release but only if it is complete. Carl Foreman was a fascinating and brilliant writer/director/producer whose stand on principles during the McCarthy era was heroic. PBS did a program on him (focusing mainly on "High Noon") which is well-done but there is not one mention of "The Victors." Still a political hot potato?