Bitter Victory (1957)
Bitter Victory Photos
Movie Info
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Cast
as Capt. Leith
as Maj. David Brand
as Jane Brand
as Mekrane
as Gen. Paterson
as Lt. Col. Callander
as Sgt. Barney
as Lt. Barton
as Lt. Sanders
as Pvt. Wilkins
as Pvt. Berowing
as Pvt. Spicer
as Pvt. Anderson
as Sgt. Dunnigan
as Col. Lutze
as Pvt. Roberts
as Lt. Kassel
Critic Reviews for Bitter Victory
All Critics (15) | Top Critics (4) | Fresh (12) | Rotten (3) | DVD (1)
Nicholas Ray's direction of black-and-white CinemaScope, that freak child of the 50s, is consistently brilliant in this raw, confused masterpiece.
Contemplating the dangerous games men play with macho self-images, this survives as one of Ray's greatest works.
Fine thesping by Richard Burton leads a series of top performances by other members of large cast.
The title tells all.
The film's military detail is in most respects quite ludicrous.
Odd amalgam of a French film, starring a British, German, and American trio, directed by an American and written by three men from different countries.
Audience Reviews for Bitter Victory
In "Bitter Victory," General Paterson(Anthony Bushell) is in a bit of a pickle with a sudden dangerous mission to steal documents behind enemy lines in Benghazi requiring recruits. Major Brand(Curt Jurgens) is an obvious choice, especially considering his experience. Even though Captain Leith(Richard Burton) is very familiar with Libya, Paterson has doubts about him, especially about his being an intellectual...and Welsh. But that doesn't mean Brand and Leith have nothing in common, like say Brand's wife Jane(Ruth Roman). "Bitter Victory" is an offbeat war movie with some interesting casting(Jurgens playing a hero on dry land while Richard Burton is not yet Richard Burton) and very good use of location photography being the main points of interest. While Brand and Leith are outsiders(yes, I know Brand is a white South African but that's a conversation for another time), the movie attempts a psychological portrait of war. The fact that it takes the most cliched approach possible(of all the suicide missions in this war, you had to choose this one...) including a shaky resolution is a huge shame and lost opportunity.
Super Reviewer
one of ray's more neglected films, it's a stunning black and white widescreen character study of the intense struggle between two british officers on a hopeless mission in the libyan desert. i somehow never realized before that richard burton was hot at one point in time
Super Reviewer
Stark drama of principles in wartime. Excellent performances from the three leads. Ruth Roman's part is small but integral to the plot and she makes the most of it.
Super Reviewer
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