Anzio
Dir: Edward Dmytryk, Duilio Coletti
1968
***
Anzio's true strength lies in it's depiction of the hopelessness of War. Edward Dmytryk and Duilio Coletti do well in highlighting the madness, solitude and claustrophobia that War can bring through the eyes of very different solders. Robert Mitchum plays a War correspondence who questions the orders of his superiors (Anzio being a famous failure in WWII that was dubbed 'A stranded Whale' by Winston Churchill when it was meant to be a 'Wild Cat') and Peter Falk plays a solder who has become so consumed and maddened with War, he moved to Canada once discharged due to injury, just so he could sign up again. The big difference compared to many other War films of the era is that the men are seen to be fighting for survival, rather than glory. When orders are questioned and conclusions drawn, it highlights the needlessness of War, perfectly and poignantly. Mitchum gets top billing but Falk steals the show by miles.