Weekend Watch 8/17-8/18
What I’m watching this weekend:The Young Lions (1958)-2 hrs 47 mins
The Young Lions tells the story of 3 soldiers who each face unique struggles and difficulties during the war. Marlon Brando plays Christian Diestl, a Nazi captain who can't help but question the morality of the orders he is being given. Dean Martin stars as Michael Whiteacre - a Broadway star whose cowardice stands in the way of serving and affects those around him. Montgomery Clift, in his personal favorite performance, portrays Noah Ackerman, a Jew and soldier who faces racial prejudice.
The film was a hit when released. However, despite being an almost three hours long, the character arcs and development in The Young Lions are not as deep as you would expect or they could have been. The 3 soldiers’ connections to one another could have been clearer and more robust. Perhaps part of the problem is that there isn't a strong single thread that anchors the film and propels the story forward so that the intended messages are communicated and the length forgotten by the audience. This being said, the film does tell some wonderful stories about the human experience during WWII, which provoke moral questions that do indeed prove impactful. You should see it at least once!
- Olivia
Availability: Youtube (free), Amazon video, Googleplay, and DVD.
Youtube (free): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfdYF82MmZk
Purchase DVD: https://www.ebay.com/i/162050569897?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&itemid=162050569897&targetid=595076221368&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9003967&poi=&campaignid=1689407474&mkgroupid=74365777868&rlsatarget=pla-595076221368&abcId=1140476&merchantid=101704540&gclid=Cj0KCQjw4s7qBRCzARIsAImcAxb4z_yzt-ocGBGICvbct03Sx_vsgKCrRu4qLT9WpCeTs0BNae-aY0kaAiGTEALw_wcB
Purchase Blu-ray: https://www.ebay.com/p/The-Young-Lions-Blu-ray-Twilight-Time-Limited-to-3000-Marlon-Brando-Dean-Martin/1039974600?iid=202456370603&chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&itemid=202456370603&targetid=474173477269&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9003967&poi=&campaignid=1669934834&mkgroupid=65058350339&rlsatarget=pla-474173477269&abcId=1139296&merchantid=114701021&gclid=Cj0KCQjw4s7qBRCzARIsAImcAxbIoYTXGN6lFJYqEbzwFSRwJ_68ltNue1suyYSr6pjHIznk5j23jOoaAgO2EALw_wcB