La roja insignia del valor

I'm still in shock over the fact that I never saw or heard of this film, in spite of the fact that I rank the novel up there with "Farewell to Arms" and "The Great Gatsby".

Stephen Crane is one of the best writers in American literature. Like his friend and contemporary, Henry James, he was not a realist or a naturalist exactly, but more of an impressionist whose work consisted of capturing the exact feeling of any scene he created at that precise moment to the character he was depicting.

He prefigured Hemingway (who thought Crane the best) and Fitzgerald, as they wrestled their way through humanly non-heroic characters ripped up by ironic tragedy.

I remember watching this movie on a rainy Saturday afternoon as a kid. It really struck me with its emotive power. Especially notable was one of the battle scenes that was shot adroitly from the young man's point of view, that really made me anxious, as if I were in his place. I would like to see this movie again to see if it is as effective while viewing it as an adult. I always keep an eye out to see if this movie will be shown on late night TV, but it seems as if only the original is ever shown. Does anyone know a way to obtain a copy of this or for that matter any made for TV movies that are not released on video?

Unlike the Audie Murphy/John Huston version from 1951, this film was truer to the book in at least two points: the Union regiment was from New York, not Ohio; the solders were all young men, not grizzled old Hollywood character actors apparently preferred by Huston.

I was hardly satisfied with theJohn Huston's film, which was a good movie, and showing an excellent Audie Murphy, in a role so close to his true own history as a soldier. Here, more or less the same topic, but with a very annoying actor. And I have never liked films speaking of courage, heroism, glory.... It is so American. I prefer cowardness, it is more interesting to show, more daring, more psychological. This one is very hard to watch till the end. It is bland, flat, boring, except maybe the battles scenes.

Richard Thomas was just right back then; portraying a guy who was scared and ashamed, but too proud to keep running, everything..he got it just right. I think Stephan Crane would appreciate this version better than the 1951 movie.

It's confusing enough being that age, then finding yourself in the middle of one of those huge battles- you couldn't pull me away from that TV way back when. It didn't need all of the high tech special effects, Henry Fleming(John boy)and his fellow soldiers brought you into the story as well as the book did. It was a great movie and should be available to high school kids, history buffs, or anybody who enjoys a good flick. But is it available to anyone? I can't find it for sell online anywhere. What a shame. The scene showing fixed bayonets charging, one sticking in a tree trunk accidentally, was artistic license no doubt, but classic! Classic I say! Where are the rerun Gods when you need them? This would be great for my school age son...I'll keep looking.