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The Fighting 69th (1940)

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Officially, America had no intention of entering the Second World War in 1940: Why, then, were there so many "preparedness" pictures like The Fighting 69th? This film, based on the experiences of military priest Father Duffy (Pat O'Brien), is set during World War I. The US 69th division was a national guard contingent comprised of Irish Americans, who fought with the Rainbow Division in the years 1917-1918. Into this Hibernian stronghold comes cocky Jerry Plunkett (Jimmy Cagney), a streetwise

Apr 24, 2007

Warner Bros. Pictures

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All Critics (7) | Top Critics (2) | Fresh (4) | Rotten (1) | DVD (2)

Among best of Cagney-O'Brien Warner team-ups, this one set in WWI.

March 22, 2008 Comment
Video-Reviewmaster.com

...given the time this movie was made, just before the Second World War, it seems justified for tapping into the public sentiment.

April 22, 2007 Full Review Source: Movie Metropolis | Comment
Movie Metropolis

The Fighting 69th...may become a gushy tearjerker by its end, but you can't argue that its heart isn't in the right place.

April 22, 2007 Full Review Source: Movie Metropolis | Comment
Movie Metropolis

In one of his few war films, Cagney displays his "specialty" of explosive energy, as a despicable Irishman, who initially sneers at the regiment's traditions but then learns the hard way the mistakes of his cowardice and irresponsibility.

July 15, 2006 Full Review Source: EmanuelLevy.Com | Comment

A sentimental recruiting poster account of the famed First World War New York National Guard division of mostly Irish-Americans.

December 16, 2005 Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews | Comment
Ozus' World Movie Reviews
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Audience Reviews for The Fighting 69th

This film is weird. Cagney is a brawler who becomes a coward in the face of war and gets half of his battalion killed. He finds religion, kills a bunch of Germans and redeems himself. It's Cagney so it's enjoyable, but you don't like his character and you never root for him. Very strange.

October 22, 2008
codyfranklin2

Super Reviewer

Cagney is as always wonderful to watch, adding a softness to the otherwise rough around the edges and rather cowardly character. It's rather predictability and jumbled plotline leaves his characters a little thinner developed than deserved, but Cagney makes up for that.

April 27, 2008
moviempress
Lisa Conant

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