I found this to be a very gripping tale about a former POW soldier being accused of treason. Colonel Edwards (Richard Widmark) is assigned to research the case and make a recommendation for whether a court martial trial should be initiated. He interviews the other soldiers assigned to this man's POW camp, as well as the accused, Major Harry Cargill (Richard Basehart). Everyone at Col. Edwards office, including his boss, General Connors (Carl Reid), believes the man is guilty and they should expedite him to court martial proceedings. Except for Col. Edwards - he has a gut feeling that there is something more to this story. He especially is confused as to why the accused is unwilling to defend himself and wants only to accept responsibility and the corresponding punishment.
There are top notch performances here - but especially by Basehart as the accused. He is quite believable in the conflict that is going on inside him. Widmark also delivers well in portraying the Colonel who is willing to put his job on the line if it means getting to the truth. I also thought the flashback scene to the POW's that reveals what really happens was very well done. It is a grizzly scene that I think was directed well by Karl Malden and was well played by all the actors involved.
There are tough questions here as to the limits of POW's and whether or not the military code is applicable in all situations. I don't want to give the plot away. But the climax scene where all is revealed to the General and the Colonel by the accused in the Colonel's office is wonderfully acted by Basehart. He truly captures the agony that is war and what decisions soldiers are often faced with in the hell of POW camps.
I am very supportive of the military and the sacrifices made by the men and women in uniform. Major Cargill asks "for hundreds of days he was a hero, and only on 1 day he breaks...does he lose his standing in the human race because he broke on that 1 last day?" There are tough questions raised here and I don't know that there are any satisfying answers.
There are top notch performances here - but especially by Basehart as the accused. He is quite believable in the conflict that is going on inside him. Widmark also delivers well in portraying the Colonel who is willing to put his job on the line if it means getting to the truth. I also thought the flashback scene to the POW's that reveals what really happens was very well done. It is a grizzly scene that I think was directed well by Karl Malden and was well played by all the actors involved.
There are tough questions here as to the limits of POW's and whether or not the military code is applicable in all situations. I don't want to give the plot away. But the climax scene where all is revealed to the General and the Colonel by the accused in the Colonel's office is wonderfully acted by Basehart. He truly captures the agony that is war and what decisions soldiers are often faced with in the hell of POW camps.
I am very supportive of the military and the sacrifices made by the men and women in uniform. Major Cargill asks "for hundreds of days he was a hero, and only on 1 day he breaks...does he lose his standing in the human race because he broke on that 1 last day?" There are tough questions raised here and I don't know that there are any satisfying answers.