When you see this film's first scene, you think you are going to see "The Manchurian Candidate." The first scene deals with apparent brain-washing. Richard Widmark is cast in his usual role as an attorney. Apparently, he got good experience in this part for several years later he was absolutely mesmerizing in "Judgment At Nuremberg."
This film deals with moral conflict. Widmark refuses to accept the fact that Richard Basehart, who is accused of consorting with the North Koreans while held in a prisoner camp during the Korean War, can't wait to get the entire situation over by pleading guilty and not justifying his actions one bit.
There is an excellent supporting cast led by Carl Benton Reid, and a young Rip Torn is also terrific as a powerful witness to what has occurred.
The film adequately captures the dilemma faced by prisoners of war during their capture. The problem with this film that as the truth begins to unfold, it becomes very preachy in nature. This is a usual flaw of such films.
The ending will come as a surprise to many but you will not be surprised by the stoic beliefs of Carl B. Reid.
Interesting, but we've heard this story before somewhere.
This film deals with moral conflict. Widmark refuses to accept the fact that Richard Basehart, who is accused of consorting with the North Koreans while held in a prisoner camp during the Korean War, can't wait to get the entire situation over by pleading guilty and not justifying his actions one bit.
There is an excellent supporting cast led by Carl Benton Reid, and a young Rip Torn is also terrific as a powerful witness to what has occurred.
The film adequately captures the dilemma faced by prisoners of war during their capture. The problem with this film that as the truth begins to unfold, it becomes very preachy in nature. This is a usual flaw of such films.
The ending will come as a surprise to many but you will not be surprised by the stoic beliefs of Carl B. Reid.
Interesting, but we've heard this story before somewhere.