MovieChat Forums > The Sullivans (1944) Discussion > When the family is told...

When the family is told...

posted 8 years ago by tippy-6
2 replies | jump to latest

(A bit of a spoiler)

My only real gripe about this movie is how the family is told. When LCDR Robinson arrives at the Sullivan's house to deliver the news that all 5 sons have been killed in action, his demeanor is just too lighthearted, casual and cheery (at first). He certainly doesn't seem like someone is about to tell a mother that five of her children are dead. One in that position I think would be sullen, nervous and gloomy ( know I would), which to me seems more appropriate given the grave nature of the news about to be delivered.

I lay initial blame on Ward Bond, a usually competent, skillful actor, who just blew the scene. It is possible although that Lloyd Bacon directed him to play it this way. If not, Bacon wasn't perceptive enough to see how poorly it came across, so either way he really is to blame for this awful scene.

Now I understand that perhaps the family was lucky to be told in person at all, since most KIA notifications in WWII were delivered by telegram, but still, the mood was all wrong.

Here's how it sounded: "Hey howya doin? Good to see you! Your sons are dead. Can I have a cup of coffee?"

[–] movies789 8 years ago

You couldn't be more wrong. Ward Bond did a terrific job of his sensitive portrayal of the officer. He was not flip and callous, as you contend. He was courteous and warm in the initial moments in order to get in the door and have everyone seated before delivering the tragic news. Would you have had him deliver the news ham-handedly at the front door and have Mrs. Sullivan collapse in shock, leaving the rest of the family to wonder in horror what had been said? And his asking for coffee after Mr. Sullivan had left for work and the daughter and daughter-in-law had left in tears was a kind, thoughtful gesture, sensitively conveyed, to keep her company and give her something to focus on. Your description of what he said and how he said it was cynically distorted. As a fire department crisis response volunteer, I had to notify numerous next-of-kin of the deaths of loved ones, and there's no easy way to do it. It requires a deft, calming manner, which was captured perfectly by the officer's kind and gentle delivery of the news, and by Ward Bond's spot-on portrayal of him. I, for one, consider this to be one of the most moving - and well-acted (by Ward Bond and Thomas Mitchell, especially) - movie scenes ever created.

[–] MissMellieY 7 years ago

I agree with you, especially about when he told Mrs. Sullivan that he believed he would have that cup of coffee. Otherwise, she would have been there to deal with the news by herself. It was a heartbreaking and touching scene.

"A man's kiss is his signature" -- Mae West