Search - None But the Brave on DVD


None But the Brave
None But the Brave
Actors: Frank Sinatra, Clint Walker, Tatsuya Mihashi, Takeshi Katô, Homare Suguro
Director: Frank Sinatra
Genres: Action & Adventure, Indie & Art House, Comedy, Drama, Military & War
NR     2008     1hr 46min

A crippled C-47 transport crash-lands on a remote Pacific island. For the Marines aboard, World War II becomes smaller but no less deadly. The atoll is held by a Japanese platoon, also cut off from its command. Debuting di...  more »

     
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Movie Details

Actors: Frank Sinatra, Clint Walker, Tatsuya Mihashi, Takeshi Katô, Homare Suguro
Director: Frank Sinatra
Creators: Frank Sinatra, Howard W. Koch, Kikumaru Okuda, William H. Daniels, John Twist, Katsuya Susaki
Genres: Action & Adventure, Indie & Art House, Comedy, Drama, Military & War
Sub-Genres: Classics, Indie & Art House, Comedy, Drama, Military & War
Studio: Warner Home Video
Format: DVD - Color,Widescreen - Subtitled
DVD Release Date: 05/13/2008
Original Release Date: 01/01/1965
Theatrical Release Date: 01/01/1965
Release Year: 2008
Run Time: 1hr 46min
Screens: Color,Widescreen
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaDVD Credits: 1
Total Copies: 0
Members Wishing: 3
MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Languages: English, Japanese
Subtitles: English

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Movie Reviews

Frank Sinatra's None But The Brave
gobirds2 | New England | 08/18/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Again Frank Sinatra gives another fine performance (he has always been underrated as an actor in my opinion) and he even directed this film! This is an interesting W.W.II film set on an island in the Pacific where small bands of both American and Japanese forces are stranded. This film examines the human sacrifices made in war and questions if there is justification for those sacrifices examined through the camaraderie and reminisces of fellow combatants on both sides. Sinatra, as director, gives Clint Walker a chance to demonstrate his acting abilities in a fine dramatic performance. The stalwart cast also includes Tatsuya Mihashi, Tommy Sands, Tony Bill, Brad Dexter,Takeshi Kato and Sammy Jackson. Listen for an early score composed by John (Johnny) Williams. I always liked this one."
Well worth it
gobirds2 | 05/17/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Frankie works his magic once again in his rendition of a WWII story, None But the Brave. He made, however, not a 'bang it up, shoot it up, run run run' movie, but one that leaves the viewer pondering the meaning of war. Is it really worth it? The final message of the movie is spelled out in the end for those viewers who weren't willing to seek the deeper meaning for themselves. "Nobody ever wins". Nice going, Frankie, this one deserves more recognition than it's getting."
Admirable intentions . . .
trebe | 05/31/2009
(3 out of 5 stars)

"Set on an island in the south Pacific during World War II, None But The Brave is notable as the only film to be directed and produced by Frank Sinatra. The movie revolves around the interactions between a group of Japanese soldiers stranded on the island, and American Marines who suddenly arrive, when their transport plane is shot down and crash lands on the island.

The film is a collaborative effort between American and Japanese studios. These filmmakers appear to have admirable intentions. Instead of focusing on combat between the American and Japanese forces, the film attempts to provide some insight into the motivation, philosophy, and culture of the Japanese soldiers, primarily through the thoughts of their commanding officer, Lieutenant Kuroki (Tatsuya Mihashi), who provides narration at various points. Painting the entire group with one broad brush may not be accurate, but the hope is that the Japanese soldiers will be viewed as fellow humans and not just the `enemy'.

The Americans are led by Captain Dennis Bourke (Clint Walker), the pilot of the plane, and headstrong Marine Lieutenant Blair (Tommy Sands). Initially, the opposing forces feel each other out, as the Marines try to gain access to fresh water, and steal a boat the Japanese have constructed. Discovering that each is cutoff from communication with their respective commands, a truce is proposed by Kuroki who needs medical assistance for one of his men. Pharmacist mate Maloney (Sinatra) is pressed into service as a surgeon, to amputate the gangrenous leg of a Japanese soldier.

Following a successful operation, peaceful and mostly cooperative coexistence ensues, with the Americans trading cigarettes for fish, and Maloney providing basic care for the recovering soldier. The truce appears broken when the Japanese discover that the Americans have repaired their radio, but an impending storm brings everyone together in a joint effort to save a well. After the Americans restore radio communications, the Japanese refuse an offer to surrender, leading to a final battle for the island. At the end of the film, the words "Nobody Ever Wins" appear on the screen. The precise point of the film may be subject to discussion, but examining the tragic nature of war and conflict, might be near the top of the list.

Moral statements aside, the film is entertaining, although not very realistic. The fighting scenes are almost laughable, only slightly above something like McHale's Navy. Soldiers on both sides just can't shoot straight. If they could, there would soon be few alive, as most don't seem concerned about being shot. Spreading out and taking cover when under fire, would seem obvious self preservation, yet it is rarely done. Apparently these troops are unaware, that when someone is shooting at you, standing up or moving away from cover, makes you a better target.

Artillery fire from a destroyer, that should blow craters on the beach, result in tiny unrealistic explosions. When the truce almost ends, the two forces stand a few feet apart ready to rumble like street gangs. It's dramatic, but not very realistic. When the sky suddenly turns dark, somehow both Kuroki and Bourke immediately recognize that a huge storm is imminent, and that they must work together to protect the well. Due to their quick efforts, a wall of tree trunks and a few sandbags, manages to hold back the flood waters. Well I'll be a son of a buck!

Discipline is lacking, when Marines ordered not to advance, still proceed to the water hole. A sergeant (Brad Dexter) challenges the chain of command, taking a swing at Bourke. Insubordination is present on both sides, with the Japanese making an unauthorized raid, and a gung ho Lieutenant Blair itching to engage the enemy.

Serving as both director and producer, it is a fair assumption that Sinatra was on board with the aims of the film. In the trailer for the film, Sinatra asks the audience the provocative question, "can you still pull the trigger" if the enemy is not some faceless stranger. As an actor, Sinatra turns in a good performance, though mostly in the background, and absent during the fight scenes. As a director, working with a script with issues, Sinatra demonstrates that he can handle a comic book type action film.

Much of the location work was shot of the island of Kauai, in Hawaii. While filming in the Aloha State, Brad Dexter saved Sinatra from drowning, leading to their friendship. Dexter then played a prominent role in Sinatra's next film, the World War II adventure, Von Ryan's Express. Also in the cast, is Sinatra's ex-son in law, Tommy Sands, the pop singer who was married to his daughter, Nancy Sinatra.

While a collaborative effort, the film has a definite Hollywood look. Much of the special effects and model plane work, reflects the trademark Japanese style, similar to a Godzilla film. A young John Williams, provides a rousing score, with elements of Japanese music mixed in. None But The Brave may not be the most polished effort, and it does not escape being clichéd and at times wooden, but the attempt to be more than another shoot `em up war flick is admirable. Sinatra's lone directorial effort looks terrific in Warner Brothers Frank Sinatra Collection widescreen edition.
"
NO SUBTITLES
S. B. Robinson | 02/23/2009
(3 out of 5 stars)

"Great little film BUT there are no subtitles for the Japanese parts of the film. HMMMMMMMM"