On one hand a by-the-numbers inspirational biopic, this decently budgeted prestige item from fast-fading Republic Pictures, with dutiful house director John H. Auer calling the shots*, also has something decidedly off about it. Sterling Hayden, even gruffer than usual, is Rear-Admiral John Madison Hoskins, a ‘Navy lifer’ who loses a leg just as he’s about to take command of his dream ship. Refusing to give up on his goals, he puts rehabilitation ahead of everything until getting a new command and raising hell to see the Navy move into the jet age. Just how admirable is this guy? Stubborn, vainglorious, prioritizing career over risk to his men, unconcerned with family issues. Since it’s a true-enough story of personal triumph, the ends justify the means, but a little voice in the back of your head may not be cheering on cue. Perhaps if execution rose beyond standard operating procedure, but only Elmer Bernstein, in an early credit, shows the necessary ambition, if not complete success, with his first big score. With corny choral touches for maximum patriotic flavor.
WATCH THIS, NOT THAT: It’s a very uneven pic, but John Ford tackles many of these conflicting issues (service, sacrifice, family life) in honest, riveting fashion in THE WINGS OF EAGLES/’57. The marriage between John Wayne’s ‘Spig’ Wead & wife Maureen O’Hara especially well caught.
ATTENTION MUST BE PAID: *Our Italian poster has scripter Allen Rivkin listed as director.
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