The Men
Directed by Fred Zinnemann
Written by Carl Foreman
1950/USA
Stanley Kramer Productions
First viewing/Netflix rental
[box] Ellen: You weren’t quite so logical a few years ago when we needed some boys to ground and get killed or paralyzed.[/box]
Marlon Brando begins his film career with the same passion that would characterize his later work.
Ken (Brando) was paralyzed in the war and has laid in a veteran’s hospital for the last year, mostly feeling sorry for himself. Before his wound he was engaged to Ellen (Teresa Wright). Now he refuses to see her. Ellen approaches Ken’s doctor, Dr. Brock (Everett Sloane). Brock decides to use a bit of tough love on Ken. He cuts off his drugs and lets Ellen see him. Initially, Ken is stubborn and resentful but eventually a spark of hope ignites and he begins working on his rehabilitation. He is helped by his fellow patients, principally Norm (Jack Webb), who have a a more positive attitude and refuse to let Ken wallow in self-pity.
Ken is never much of a realist and wants to believe that somehow his paralysis can be reversed. This doesn’t pan out but he gets it enough together to take a chance on marriage to Ellen. This doesn’t even make it through the wedding night due to the large chip on Ken’s shoulder and Ellen’s uncertainty. He storms out, gets into a bar fight and returns to the hospital, only to find that it is not enthusiastic about taking him back.
This movie is all about Marlon Brando and he is a force of nature as he would continue to be for some time to come. I always forget just how good looking he was as a young man. The other performances are first-rate and Zinnemann tells a moving story.
The Men was nominated for an Oscar for Best Writing, Story and Screenplay.
Clip
Bonus clip – Brando screentest 1947
