A war film has been hailed as a “masterpiece” and even better than Saving Private Ryan by members of the public. Movie lovers were delighted by the content of the gritty feature which released in the 1980s. Those who watched the film were more impressed by this hidden gem than they were with Steven Spielberg’s Oscar-winning film.
The Tom Hanks-featuring film has become a benchmark for World War 2 films among audiences, but there are a handful of films that the most dedicated of movie fans believe is much better than Saving Private Ryan. One such film starred Lee Marvin and Mark Hamill, with the Western film legend and Star Wars lead joining forces in a film depicting a squadron deep in the heart of European warfare.
The Big Red One released in 1980 and has been hailed as one of the finest war films around. One fan of the Samuel Fuller-directed film took to iMDB and gave the film a full 10-star rating. They wrote: “The Big Red One is indeed a masterpiece; it is at once all war films ever made, rolled into one; and yet it is also one of a kind.
“Certainly few films have ever presented the experience of the common ‘dogface’ of World War II so honestly; and in accomplishing this, Fuller has been able to raise a problem from which most other war films shy away: to be a good soldier, one has to forget one’s compassion; yet compassion is not only what makes us human, but also grounds the sense of duty that leads many to enlist.
“We say we are fighting for our country, but aren’t we really fighting for our families, our friends? The lovers we left behind, or the lovers we might meet when we get home? War, the brutal celebration of mass death, thus turns out to be about life, after all.”
Praise was also given to Fuller for coming up with such a strong action film for a measly production budget. The reviewer added: “The dialog is strong, the acting strong, the imagery absolutely stunning at times. The story is episodic, but each episode is a masterful set-piece.
“It is truly amazing that Fuller was able to accomplish this on a minuscule budget of $4 million at a time when similar ‘A-list’ films were costing ten times that amount.”
Another fan of the film added: “That is truly the best war movie ever made – it is realistic dramatic and terrifying. You begin to feel madness in no time with the characters.”
A third shared: “A magnificent film. Samuel Fuller adds his voice to the countless others who have recorded WWII stories, yet manages to create a movie that’s completely original in its vision.”
The Big Red One is an official nickname for the 1st Infantry Division of the US forces. It has seen continuous service since its organization in 1917 during World War I. The film is streaming on Amazon Prime and Sky TV. It can also be purchased from the YouTube store and on Apple TV.