THE YOUNG LIONS
US, 1958, 167 minutes, Black and white.
Marlon Brando, Montgomery Clift, Dean Martin, Hope Lange, Barbara Rush, May Britt, Maximilian Schell, Dora Doll, Lee van Cleef, Liliane Montevecchi, Arthur Franz.
Directed by Edward Dmytryk.
The Young Lions is a big blockbuster movie of the late 50s, based on a bestselling novel by popular author, Irwin Shaw (Two Weeks in Another Town, The Big Gamble). Popular screenwriter Edward Anhalt worked also on the adaptation.
The film sets the scene for America entering into World War Two by giving the background of changes in Europe during the 1930s. It gives an interesting indication of America’s attitude at the time, the slowness to enter the war, the issues of Jews in Europe. This is developed when a group of soldiers goes to fight in Europe.
Perhaps the most interesting thing about the film was the presence and performance of Marlon Brando. After his achievements in A Streetcar Named Desire, Julius Caesar and On the Waterfront, he made a number of popular films like Desiree, Guys and Dolls, Teahouse of the August Moon and Sayonara. In this film he was trying something different, portraying a Nazi, complete with the blond Nazi look. It is an interesting, if eccentric, performance. He was to go on being eccentric for some time, spending a long period directing his only film, One-Eyed? Jacks, as well as appearing as Fletcher Christian in The Mutiny on the Bounty. As is well known, he made an extraordinary comeback in 1972 with The Godfather. Montgomery Clift was considered one of the actors who modelled himself on Brando. However, Clift was in films several years before Brando in such films as Red River and then in A Place in the Sun. Around this time he suffered a severe accident which disfigured him and brought his career to a halt (except for a cameo in Judgment at Nuremberg) and his death in the mid-60s. Also interesting casting is Dean Martin who had separated from Jerry Lewis a few years earlier. Maximilian Schell makes a strong Nazi – and this was to be his introduction to Hollywood film-making. He would win an Oscar three years later for Judgment at Nuremberg.
The film was directed by Edward Dmytryk who made a number of sharp crime thrillers in the 1940s including Murder My Sweet. He was blacklisted and sent to prison during the Un-American? Activities investigations. However, after going to Europe, he returned to Hollywood making The Caine Mutiny and continuing to make a number of significant films until the 1970s.
1. The quality of this big film, interest, war themes, entertainment? Its impact in the late fifties? Reflecting styles and interests of the time?
2. Audience response to its length, scope? Use of black and white photography and wide screen? Location photography for authenticity? Music?
3. The quality of the structure of the film: introduction to characters, the establishing of the pre-war situation in Europe and in America, the establishing of America's entry into the war, the interactions of life and war? How did war and life comment on each other? The American experience, the German experience? Audience involvement? The distance of the late fifties from World War II? The impact now?
4. The significance of the title and indication of themes: youth, lions, cubs, lions fighting war and winning?
5. The introduction to Margaret Fremantle as the opening bond? The pre-war setting in Germany, the way of life, skiing, American tourists? Questions of loyalties? A German -American confrontation? The ideology of Nazism versus the ideology of America? The introduction to Christian via Margaret? Audience interest in him oven though he did not appear until later? The link with Michael?
6. Comment on the response to the Christian story: his role an a ski instructor, an urbane young man in pre-war Germany, the contribution of Marlon Brando's performance and his style? Nazi rule in Germany, Nazi loyalty, German loyalty? The background to Christian's war involvement? Hardenberg as an ideal? Christian's involvement in the war and his skill as a soldier and officer? The importance of his mission to Hardenberg's wife, his response to her, her seduction, the nature of the affair? (the musical commentary on the affair)? Christian and his response to sexuality, the other woman? The contrast with his experience with Rommel? The tour of North Africa by bike and his disillusionment? His disillusionment with Hardenberg? The nature of his escape? Hardenberg and the memories of his wife and his killing himself after his injury? Christian and the confrontation with defeat, disillusionment? His meeting the Americans? The symbolism of his death and the visual portrayal of it? Christian an a symbol of war-torn Germany?
7. Audience response to the Noah Ackerman story? Montgomery Clift and his style and performance? Noah as an introspective and earnest young man, his friendship with Michael, the friendship with Hope, his courting her, the romance and the humanity of their marriage? The importance of the Jewish background in New York? Marriage, going to war, the introduction to the training, the sadistic nature of the training, beatings and Noah's reaction? The comment on American militarism, the parallel with German militarism? Noah and his desertion, his being caught and prison? The importance of his being released and becoming involved in the war? The experience of becoming a father? His friendship with Michael? His contribution to the war as an American? His presence at Christian's death? Noah as one aspect of war-torn America?
8. Audience response to Michael? The Dean Martin persona and character? The society entertainer, his qualities as a person, American style, friendship with Noah, love for Margaret? His support of Noah during his suffering? Michael's contribution to the war? His presence at Christian's death?
9. The presentation of women in the film and their role in war, their support of men? The social status of women, nationality, love and sexuality? Margaret the American tourist, society, engaged to Michael? A conventional character? Hope as the ordinary young woman, not from Society, her family background, her marriage to Noah, the Jewish element? Hope an a supportive mother? Hardenberg's wife, German occupation, sensuality and sexuality?
10. The presentation of Hardenberg? The ideal Nazi, his militarism, his success in war, an ideal for Christian? The fanatic aspects of his character? His injury, disillusionment, worry about his wife and relationship to her, the pathos of his suicide and death?
11. The film's insight into America in the forties and the participation in war?
12. The contrast with Germany in the thirties and forties and the impact of World War II on Germany?
13. What comment was the film making on war in itself, for or against? On World War II and its influence in this century?
14. The effects of war on character, relationships, suffering and death? How much insight in this kind of popular mammoth entertainment?
