This 1956 movie tells the story of one ship, the USS Belinda, and her men... Captain Jeb Hawks boards his new command, an Attack Transport, to find the vast majority of his crew is green. His Lt., Dave McDougall, is a former Merchant Marine Captain who naturally finds some discomfort in being de-moted in order to join the Navy. Also among the crew is Ensign Krugar, a brave youngster who used to play football, Gilber Hubert, a Tennessee hillbilly (he provides moments of humor), and Commander Quigley--whom his fellow officers don't like because up to this point he's basically had a desk job. There are a number of other characters who feature in their own moments, but the main story is that of Captain Hawks and Lt. McDougall along with Hawks' demanding, driving command of his ship. Serving in the Pacific between 1943 and 1945 the ship's company deals with inept officers and men, the fact that their mail hasn't caught up with them, boredom, underwater mines, and Kamikaze's. The movie is clean of profanity and gore. It does have some kissing in flashbacks scenes while Dave McDougall reads a letter from his wife. Also, in one of those, actress Julie Adams is dressed in a swimsuit--'modest' by today's standards but still lots of leg (same scene, McDougall is just in his short swim shorts--if that bothers anyone).
I found nothing really objectionable in this movie--it's pretty typical of a 50's film on WW2. The characters are men of honor (of if they are not they are not shown in a positive light). Capt. Hawks is a hard man; his 'aloof' behavior is at one point explained to the junior officers by former Capt. McDougall. He is also not a 'by the book' officer. The scene with the Kamikaze's was quite well done I believe...I caught myself cringing as those flaming planes rushing down straight into the camera. All told this is movie I would not mind watching again.
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RachealA Reformed Presbyterian girl who enjoys a good movie or a good book any ol' time. Archives
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