An interesting picture, None But the Brave is the only film ever directed by legendary actor/singer Frank Sinatra. A Japanese-American co-production, the film is intriguing in that it examines both the Americans and the Japanese fighting in World War II, with each group speaking their own language. There were no subtitles for the Japanese dialogue, so it was hard to understand what they were saying, but it seems like they were saying the same things as the Americans were.
The film begins with narration from a Japanese lieutenant, who, along with his platoon, are the only people left on an island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean (the island was bypassed by the island-hopping Allied forces). Things change after a Skytrain transport is shot down over the sea, and crash-lands on the island. The pilot, his radio operator, about a dozen marines, and a Navy medic/corpsman (Sinatra) are the only survivors. After some initial fighting (which results in the destruction of the boat the Japanese were building), the two sides agree to a truce so that all may survive. In spite of continuing friction, friendships form, and the two groups work together. Eventually, the Americans get their radio working, and are able to send for a rescue - at which point everything falls apart.
None But the Brave is far from a masterpiece, but it is actually a pretty good movie. My only major complaint was casting Tommy Sands as the Marine commanding officer - it was painful to listen to him speak, and he made the character seem like a loud, buffoonish asshole. Frank Sinatra, on the other hand, was brilliant, and added some good humor to the mix. All in all, a very watchable picture.
Rating: 78/100
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