Battle Circus

1953

Battle Circus

Critics Consensus

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TOMATOMETER

Total Count: N/A

26%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 83

Super Reviewer

Battle Circus Photos

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Movie Info

In his only MGM film, Humphrey Bogart plays the commanding officer of a M*A*S*H unit during the Korean War. Bogart runs his operation by the book, though he can take time out now and again for compassion. When nurse June Allyson shows up, Bogie is irritated by her foolhardiness and misplaced idealism. Need we tell you that the two "opposites" eventually fall in love? Keenan Wynn steals the show as the camp's wheeler-dealer, a sort of ancestor for such future insouciant M*A*S*H characters as Hawkeye, Trapper John and B.J. Hunnicutt. According to Hollywood scuttlebutt, Humphrey Bogart liked writer/director Richard Brooks because he could walk all over him. Brooks doesn't appear too servile in his disciplined handling of the film, though one can detect a slight lack of enthusiasm on his part.

Rating:

NR
Genre:

Drama, Romance
Directed By:

Richard Brooks
Written By:

Richard Brooks
In Theaters:

Mar 6, 1953 wide
On Disc/Streaming:

Mar 7, 2000
Runtime:

90 minutes
Studio:

Warner Home Video

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Cast

Humphrey Bogart
as Maj. Jed Webbe

June Allyson
as Lt. Ruth McGara

Keenan Wynn
as Sgt. Orvil Statt

Robert Keith
as Lt. Col. Hilary Walters

William Campbell
as Capt. John Rustford

Perry Sheehan
as Lt. Lawrence

Patricia Tiernan
as Lt. Rose Ashland

Adele Longmire
as Lt. Jane Franklin

Jonathan Cott
as Adjutant

Ann Morrison
as Lt. Edith Edwards

Helen Winston
as Lt. Graciano

Sarah Selby
as Capt. Dobbs

Danny Chang
as Korean Child

Philip Ahn
as Korean Prisoner

Steve Forrest
as Sergeant

Jeff Richards
as Lieutenant

Dick Simmons
as Capt. Norson

Richard Simmons
as Capt. Norson

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Critic Reviews for Battle Circus

All Critics (4) | Top Critics (2)

A war story that has everything but a plot.

Jun 24, 2019 | Full Review…

Bob Thomas
Associated Press
Top Critic
An absorbing, often tingling background of a mobile Army surgical hospital at the Korean front. Unfortunately for the general pace and impact, considerable time is allotted to a dawdling and familiar personal drama.

Apr 8, 2008 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

Howard Thompson
New York Times
Top Critic
Though not one of Bogart's strongest, this serviceable feature is one of few war (Korea) films in which he wears uniform, and his only MGM picture, co-starring with that studio's reliable performer, June Allyson.

Oct 19, 2012 | Rating: C+ | Full Review…

Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com
Singularly undistinguished except for Bogart's presence.

Apr 8, 2008 | Rating: 2/4 | Full Review…

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