Beach Red
1967
Action / Drama / War

Beach Red
1967
Action / Drama / War
Plot summary
American troops storm ashore on a Japanese-held island and push inland while their enemies plan a counterattack in this look at warfare. Soldiers on both sides are haunted by memories of home and the horrifying, sickening images they find in combat.
Director
Top cast
Tech specs
720p.BLU 1080p.BLUMovie Reviews
Provoking and strange warlike picture ; being acted , written , produced and directed by Cornel Wilde
Beach of the Dead
Pretty average Pacific Island war film, it has Cornel Wilde (who also directed) and Rip Torn in it, which isn't saying much. Rip Torn is reliable but he's given a stupid scenario and not much screen time. The script is lazily assembled and messy, and towards the end, the whole film becomes so deluded in unbelievable scenes that it detracts from the decent Marine landing opening.
1950's tanks are used and also Filipino army regulars take the place of Japanese soldiers in a horrible scene where they are wiped out by bombing and strafing planes.
Cornel Wilde is ridiculous as a Captain, who is at the front battle lines, why, because he also wrote the script. He wanted to appear like a hero so he takes a shot at the glory. Most of the cast is played by wooden young men who can't act very well. Add a dispersed monologue from each soldier, boring flashbacks a la 60's clothing and hairstyles, and an annoying 1960's folk song.
The battle scenes are also hampered by an imposed, black smoke that seems to have been put in in the studio post-production. A few camera shadows and other mistakes are also apparent.
Still, it's worth a look if you liked Sands of Iwo Jima (1949) and Halls of Montezuma (1950).