Copyright 31 December 1962 by Perlberg-Seaton Productions. Released through Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. U.S. release: 16 January 1963. New York opening simultaneously at the Embassy 46th Street and the Kips Bay theaters: 15 February 1963. U.K. release: 9 June 1963. 5 reels. 8,794 feet. 98 minutes.
SYNOPSIS: To transport a dangerously high-octane plane fuel from an abandoned airstrip on a Korean island, is the mission of a four-man navy team, whose base is low on fuel.
COMMENT: An unusually talkative and pretentious film from M-G-M, usually the home of slap-happy escapist entertainment. There's hardly enough action for a half-hour TV serial. For the rest of the time, the three principals, led by Kirk Douglas, who is the chief culprit, just stand about yakking on the moral dilemmas of war.
True, the few action spots are excitingly handled, but the rest of the film is both stupefying and routine. It is also cluttered with lots of unnecessary close-ups — especially of Mr. Douglas.
A bit of location filming helps, but otherwise production values and credits are well below M-G-M's usual slick standard.
SYNOPSIS: To transport a dangerously high-octane plane fuel from an abandoned airstrip on a Korean island, is the mission of a four-man navy team, whose base is low on fuel.
COMMENT: An unusually talkative and pretentious film from M-G-M, usually the home of slap-happy escapist entertainment. There's hardly enough action for a half-hour TV serial. For the rest of the time, the three principals, led by Kirk Douglas, who is the chief culprit, just stand about yakking on the moral dilemmas of war.
True, the few action spots are excitingly handled, but the rest of the film is both stupefying and routine. It is also cluttered with lots of unnecessary close-ups — especially of Mr. Douglas.
A bit of location filming helps, but otherwise production values and credits are well below M-G-M's usual slick standard.