MovieChat Forums > Never So Few (1959) Discussion > Watch 'Objective Burma! (1945)' instead!

Watch 'Objective Burma! (1945)' instead!

posted 11 years ago by kelkyl
11 replies | jump to latest

Errol Flynn plays the leader of a U.S. parachute assault team caught behind enemy lines in Burma, whose mission is to destroy a Japanese radar installation and then walk back to base, some 200 miles through enemy-occupied jungle.

The Baron sheds both his womanizing and swashbuckling images and puts in a strong believable performance as a commanding officer with a heart leaving most of the heroics for the men in his command. There's also no unnecessary romance to drag down the action.

Realistic war scenes and tropical jungle sets instead of the typical Warner Bros back lot add to the tense atmosphere. Along with expert direction by Raoul Walsh, masterful cinematography by James Wong Howe and music by Franz Waxman (who received an Oscar nomination) makes OBJECTIVE BURMA! (1945) a far better choice than this Rat Pack wannabe.

Sinatra and Lollobrigida didn't convey any chemistry between them in this movie, and they were having a real-life long term "relationship" during 1958-59! This speaks poorly to their acting as well as their real relationship. Peter Lawford was also "involved" with Lollobrigida around the same time, but what are friends for?

Sinatra was also too busy playing cool (maybe to outshine the real King of Cool who was just hitting his stride at stardom?). NSF needed more McQueen and less Sinatra. And had Sammy played McQueen's role, as planned, The Chairman could have presided over yet another raucous Rat Pack get-together masquerading as a dramatic movie.

Watch 'Objective Burma! (1945)' instead!

[–] ZolotoyRetriever 11 years ago

Excellent recommendation. "Objective Burma" is a fine movie. That being said, I will admit that "Never So Few" has always been one of my 'guilty pleasure' war movies. Some of the more hokey war movies, like this one, "The Dirty Dozen," "Kelly's Heroes" et al never fail to entertain me. They make WWII look like it was just loads of fun. lol

[–] hisgrandmogulhighness 11 years ago

Zolotoy:

I'm as you . . . I always liked this movie . . .

[–] ZolotoyRetriever 11 years ago

TCM will be airing "Objective, Burma!" this month, July 27th. Check your local listings for exact time.

[–] kelkyl 11 years ago

Next Saturday morning, July 27, 2013 at 6:00am EST here on the East Coast.

I guess all you early birds (like me) can catch it then, but if you're on the West Coast you can sleep in and view it at a more reasonable time.

If you do watch it, please come back and Reply to this message with your comments on whether it is/isn't better than this mediocre Sinatra vehicle.

[–] hisgrandmogulhighness 11 years ago

What do you mean--mediocre? MGM spent a small fortune on this film . . . exotic locations, nice costumes . . . beautiful sets . . . the film has great depth, but it must be looked for . . . .

[–] ib011f9545i 8 years ago

Objective Burma is a good film but the American role in Burma was tiny compared to the British/Indian/Chinese contribution.

[–] mariakelly-04164 8 years ago

By a very interesting coincidence, my Never So Few DVD also has Objective Burma on it, as well as Go For Broke, which is about the legendary 442nd division made up of Japanese-Americans who volunteered to fight for their country despite the unhonorable way they had been treated.

I highly recommend all 3 movies.

[–] kelkyl 7 years ago

I did not know that NSF and OB were released together on one DVD.

Hopefully you have watched both by now. So, which one do you like better, and why?

[–] mariakelly-04164 7 years ago

Well, for some reason the Objective Burma DVD is very scratched up halfway through for some reason, but I liked what I saw. NSF is a bit on the campy side, but the scenery is beautiful, Gina's dresses are gorgeous, and who DOESN'T like seeing Peter Lawford getting thrown out a plane for his first parachute flight.

Laugh while you can, Monkey Boy

[–] Bruce7 7 years ago

Haven't been able to find it on line. In a player form, non-subscription, non-streaming, non-download.

Can you fly this plane?
Surely u cant be serious
I am serious,and dont call me Shirley

[–] Bruce7 7 years ago

Watched "The Bridge at Remagen" (1969). Pretty good. If you like Tanks you'll like this one. M-24 Chaffee's.

Can you fly this plane?
Surely u cant be serious
I am serious,and dont call me Shirley