There’s a hugely underrated war film “on par with Saving Private Ryan” fans have branded a “masterpiece” – but plenty World War 2 buffs have never even heard of it. Released in 1980, the movie – featuring Star Wars icon Mark Hamill – follows one infantry unit through battle after battle, including the D-Day invasion of Normandy.
Titled The Big Red One, its official synopsis reads: “A hardened sergeant and the four core members of his infantry unit try to survive World War II as they move from battle to battle throughout Europe.” It stars Lee Marvin, Robert Carradine and Kelly Ward, along with Perry Lang and Bobby Di Cicco.
The film is based on writer and director Samuel Fuller’s real life experience in the war as part of the 1st Infantry Division. Nominated for the Palme d’Or at the 1980 Cannes Film Festival, a full restored version was also released in 2004 featuring scenes cut from the original film. Fuller also released a novelisation based on his screenplay.
It boasts a 90% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and has been branded a “masterpiece” by fans, with one review gushing: “One of the best WWII movies with an actual historically accurate plot and events […] Great characters, smartly and tightly written.”
Somebody else said: “Excellent movie. Pulls no punches in its depiction of the ordinary GI Joe without whom the Nazis would have continued their despotic reign and the horrors of the Holocaust.”
Another review said: “Best WWII movie, has action and drama. Man, I still get emotional remembering it.”
“The best war movie I have ever seen, with Mark Hamill and Lee Marvin!” another commenter echoed.