None But the Brave *** (1965, Frank Sinatra, Clint Walker, Tommy Sands, Tony Bill, Brad Dexter, Tatsuya Mihashi) – Classic Movie Review 7075

Frank Sinatra directs himself for the first time in this quality 1965 World War Two war drama about a platoon of US Marines who crash-land on a tiny far-off island in the Pacific, where they confront a garrison of Japanese troops and have to make a truce. It is notable as the first Japanese-American co-production, produced by Frank Sinatra for Warner Bros and Kikumaru Okuda for Toho Studios. It turned out to be Sinatra’s only film as director and his sixth of nine films as producer.

The movie represents a useful, thoughtful anti-war statement, with a good and strong Sinatra star performance as a tough marine doctor, the chief pharmacist mate, and slap-up fighting scenes.

The downsides are some weak acting in the lower ranks and a sense of déja vu in the story by Kikumaru Okuda. Generally, though, None But the Brave is a good, solid mix of message drama and action movie.

John Twist and Katsuya Susaki base their screenplay on the story by Kikumaru Okuda, as told through the perception of the American and Japanese unit commanders.

Frank Sinatra’s cousin Richard Sinatra appears as Private Roth. Tommy Sands, who co-stars as 2nd Lt. Blair, divorced Frank Sinatra’s daughter Nancy the same year. Also in the cast are Tatsuya Mihashi. Sammy Jackson, Takeshi Kato, Homare Suguro, Kenji Sahara, Mashahiko Tanimura, Toru Ibuki, Ryucho Shunputei, Hisao Dazai, Takeshi Inagaki, Kenichi Hata, Richard Bakalyan, Rafer Johnson, Jimmy Griffin, Christopher Dark, Don Dorrell, Phillip Crosby, John Howard Young, Roger Ewing and Laraine Stephens.

None But the Brave is directed by Frank Sinatra, runs 105 minutes, is produced by Sinatra Enterprises, Eiga, Toho and Artanis, is released by Warner Bros, is written by John Twist and Katsuya Susaki, based on the story by Kikumaru Okuda, is shot by Harold Lipstein, is produced by Howard W Koch, Frank Sinatra and Kikumaru Okuda, is scored by John Williams, and is designed by LeRoy Deane.

Dexter saved Sinatra from drowning when he dived into the ocean and rescued him after he got into difficulties while swimming. Sinatra repaid the favour by starring in the Dexter-produced The Naked Runner in 1967.

The title comes from John Dryden’s poem Alexander’s Feast: ‘None but the brave deserve the fair.’ But the film starts and ends with ‘Nobody Ever Wins’.

© Derek Winnert 2018 Classic Movie Review 7075

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