Battle at Bloody Beach

Small-scale story of individuals caught up in a giant war, as opposed to a big WWII blockbuster. Low-budget black and white movie, but that's OK since it is not a blockbuster. However, the combination of low budget, poor script and below-average direction prevents this film from being worthwhile. It appears to have been filmed very quickly, maybe in a matter of days or a couple of weeks.

Audie Murphy has a lot of screen "presence" and he elevates what is otherwise not much here. Dolores Michaels is great as always and very watchable. Her leading-lady talent is far above this insignificant movie. Alejandro Rey is watchable as he again elevates one of his many B-movie roles and TV appearances (he had a remarkable ability to do this).

The cheap California island location filming is surprisingly adequate as a substitute for the real would-be scene of the action.

Can't really recommend this, but the movie's stars outshine the material and are individually fine.

Battle at Bloody Beach was one of Audie Murphy's attempts to get away from the western casting where he did so well and should have stayed in his career. It bears some resemblance to John Wayne's Back to Bataan and Tyrone Power's An American Guerrilla in the Phillipines in subject matter.

But the latter had the advantage of great color cinematography and was shot in the actual scenes of the Phillipines. This particular cheapie was done on Catalina, it looks like it was done over a couple of long weekends.

The plot as it were has Murphy as an American running supplies to the Filipino insurrectionists and discovering his wife, Dolores Michaels believing he was dead, having taken up with Filipino guerrilla Alejandro Rey both politically and personally. That leads to some tense moments as Murphy leads some refugees away from the oncoming Japanese.

The battle itself is the climax as Murphy with Gary Crosby and assorted help mows down row after row of charging Japanese. Now why the Japanese commander didn't size up the situation and wait for some artillery before getting all his troops slaughtered in a charge is a mystery to me.

I'll be willing to bet that somewhere in the financing of this film was Gary's father who was always doing things like that for his sons. Good thing Bing had the sense to keep his name off the credits if he did.

During His 2-Decade Career as an Actor, Following His Heroism in WWII (most decorated including MOH),

the Good-Looking, Baby-Faced Audie Murphy, seemed to be Straight From the "Matinee Idol" Manual at "Hollywood Central Casting".

What's Not to Like? A Match Made in Heaven! A War-Hero, with Killer Good-Looks, Plenty of Charisma, Fresh?, from the Battlefield, Ready to Follow a New Path of Civillain Life in America that was a Fertile Growing Ground for the Citizens that Served Their Country Honorably.

Well, PTSD was a Neglected "Stigma" that Hurt a Lot of Soldier's Dreams and "Paths"...

"Murph", was Not Shielded from the Post-War Adjustments that Many found Challenging.

Dealing with a Little Researched Phenomena (once called "Battle-Shock" or "Battle-Fatigue) and the "Mental-Health" Resources was Still a "Work In Progress", to Say the Least.

So there was that...The Recurring "Nightmares" that Resulted in a .45 Under the Pillow, a Gambling Addiction Along with Poor Money-Management, a "Hair-Trigger" Violent Temper, and a "Lost-Soul" Demeanor were some of the Coping in Store for the Returning Vet on His Road to Full-Fill the"American-Dream.

In the 50's He Enjoyed Many Successes Making Movies.

His Films were Patronized and Enjoyed by Movie-Goers, but Usually Not with Critics, were Always Money-Makers with Good to Excellent Box-Office.

Most of His Movies, though Not All, were Rightfully Called "B-Movies", the Majority were Westerns with a "Sprinkle" of Other Genres in the Mix.

Audie Murphy was Understandably Reluctant to "Star"in and Avoided Making "War" Movies,

although His Auto-Biography "To Hell and Back" (1955), where "Murph" Played Himself was a Critical and Fan Favorite.

The Talented and Under-Rated Actor Only Made 2 Other "War-Movies", this is 1, although He does Play a Civilian Contractor.

He is Supplying Guns and Ammo, and Other Aid to the Philippines and Their Fight Against the "Jap-Invaders".

He is Also Searching for His Estranged Wife (Gloria Michaels) that He Hasn't Seen Since the Honeymoon. He Finds Her on One of the Islands.

Thinking He was Dead (after 2 Years) She is Now "In-Love" with a "Freedom Fighter" (Gary Crosby, Son of Bing). Unfortunately, a Second "Battle" has Been Engaged.

It Won't be as Bloody as the One on the Beach, but Just as Volatile and Important to the Story. Directed by Herbert Coleman, Known for "Associate Producer" Roles, Notably with Hitchcock,

the Much-Maligned Script was Written by Richard Maibaum who went to Fame and Fortune Penning James Bond Movies.

This is Low on the "Audie Murphy Filmography Scale" that No-One has Anything Good to Say About. It's Not Bad, It's just Not that Good.

The Romantic Triangle is Awkward. Where the Movie Succeeds is Giving a Voice to the Philippine People,

and the Bloody Beach Battle Delivers the Goods, with an Off-Beat Death of Murphy's Friend and Resistant-Leader, Alejandro Rey.

Despite the Hatred of the Many...

Worth a Watch.

What is there to add regarding this cinematic failure? It has a lot to dislike, including it's terribly written script; vacant, dull and useless film space, and lack of convincing combat. Without a doubt, it is one of Audie Murphy's worst choices -- to act in this horribly boring, low budget flick.

Just why do well known actors do this? Maybe Audie was in dire need of the little cash this part provided him. I tell myself, had I known him personally, that I could have taught him how to manage his finances and to resist gambling. He could have been amazingly well situated, free from the need to pick up the spare change such cheap diversions earned him; but, we must not forget, he fought an inward battle as well with PTSD, which can halt a man's perspective of his entire history: past, present and future. He will do anything to attempt to rid himself of his thoughts when he's alone.

Still, we continue to hold Audie Murphy dear, and are always willing to give him praise and honor no matter his choices. Why? Because he truly was a hero. An inwardly torn one, for sure, yet still a notable figure.

Had someone in his life known more, maybe that person could have helped him, saved him from his own destructive thoughts and behaviors. Unfortunately, so little was truly understood of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in those days, which, even today, men and women, victims of having experienced life in harm's way, continue to battle within themselves.

After working nearly thirty years in a VA hospital, I've seen men return home with it. Relationships suffer, insomnia takes a toll, and poor habits and addictions latch hold. Withdrawing from the world may also set in. Whatever the symptom, these men deserve our lasting respect and honor.

I was at the premiere of this movie in San Diego. And yes, it was a pretty awful movie. In fact, I can not remember any thing about the movie. So why am I writing this review? Because I knew Audie Murphy, and was on the location set while filming aboard the submarine. Audie was not in the best frame of mind during this movie, often looking depressed. Even the camera man was concerned. But when called to do his scenes, Audie did his best. As for the movie itself, I can only guess it is best forgotten, because I am certain Audie never included it in his best performances. I don't think it is on DVD, and probably never will be. The battle at bloody beach was also part of the battle going on in Murphy's head.