User reviews

The term "G.I. Joe" has become so closely associated with the image of a certain toy that it is now largely forgotten that it was originally coined to describe the ordinary American foot soldier. Likewise, it is now largely forgotten just exactly who Ernie Pyle was and what he meant to the American people and, more especially, to the ordinary soldiers about whom he wrote.

My father took a photograph of Ernie Pyle in the Pacific in 1945, shortly before Pyle was killed. At the time Pyle was surrounded by a mob of admiring G.Is. You'd have thought they were in the presence of Bettie Grable or Rita Hayworth rather than a short, balding, middle aged newspaper-man. When Pyle was killed in action a few days later while accompanying the infantry, the solders erected a monument at the place where he died. On it were engraved the words, "On this spot the 77th Division lost a buddy", and they really meant it. It's inconceivable that troops today would do anything like that for one of the current crop of CNN-generation reporters.

The reason isn't hard to fathom. Most war correspondents hung around the rear echelon, hobnobbing with the general staff and forwarding dispatches from headquarters, and they still do. Pyle, on the other hand, lived with and wrote about the common infantrymen who were actually fighting the war. He ate their food, drank their coffee and shared their hardships through three grueling years of war from North Africa through Sicily to the European mainland, and then later on in the Pacific, where he was killed. Pyle became the spokesman for the common soldiers, and all their families back home read his syndicated column. There simply wasn't anybody else like him then, and there hasn't been since.

Small wonder that William Wellman, himself a combat veteran, thought that this movie needed to be made. The filmmaker had tremendous respect for his subject, and it shows. For example, that poignant last scene is, almost word for word and image for image, straight out of one of Pyle's most famous dispatches. It would have been interesting to learn what Pyle thought of this film. Unfortunately, however, by the time it was released the Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter was already dead.

And war was fought in the rain and the mud and the cold....In today's wars fought on film there is very rarely a look at the true living conditions that existed. This movie does not clean up the actors (as most films do). You see here all of the gritty, day-to-day, living during the war. These guys did not clean up every day. This is a good story about WW2. Be sure to see it. 8/10

War Correspondent Ernie Pyle (Burgess Meredith) joins an Infantry company led by Lt. Walker (Robert Mitchum) in North Africa. The men are surprised when Ernie decides to accompany them all the way to the front. After Kasserine Pass, they find themselves in Italy. They fight up the boot and is halted in front of Monte Cassino.

It is a relatively realistic portrait of war considering the times. Ernie Pyle is a real Pulitzer Prize-winning war correspondent killed in Okinawa two months before the movie's release. It uses many of his writing which contributes to the realism. He really paints a picture with his words. It doesn't always get the visceral grim reality with the interior studio sets. It always looks better outdoors. They create a great location which does look like a bombed out Italian town. Monte Cassino is mostly interior shoot as the fighters go underground. The monastery is no longer standing anyways but there is footage of the bombing. This is as real as it gets for its time.

After searching for the best war films all my life, and after seeing so much tripe, I was completely flabbergasted by this film, of which I had heard, but had never seen until last night. Most films made during the Second World War were pure propaganda, all dash and glory, but with little resemblance to real battle. "The Story of G.I. Joe" is the real McCoy, especially considering that it was made near the end of the war. You can feel, taste and smell the muck and fear these men lived with. The dialogue is gritty, the combat scenes, especially of urban fighting bang on. One exceptional and rare scene was of an anti-tank gun crew swinging into action and firing 12 rounds a minute in a town. It was a battle ballet and an example of the lethality of a well-trained and seasoned team. In my opinion, this film ranks with Steven Spielberg's "Saving Private Ryan" as the best film of infantry in combat ever made. In fact, I believe that Spielberg may even have made 'Ryan' as an homage to Wellman's great earlier film; many of the scenes and much of the dialogue is very similar. In 1945, General Eisenhower called 'G.I. Joe' the greatest war film ever made. I'm sure he would say the same thing today. This should be a must-see for every student studying this country's fighting history and every American in uniform should see it.

William Wellman directs the story of G.I.Joe and noted war correspondent Ernie Pyle(Burgess Meredith). Fighting soldiers tell their stories to Pyle as he follows the infantry through North Africa and Italy. Meredith is outstanding. Robert Mitchum is exceptional as Lt/Capt. Bill Walker. Also in the cast are Freddie Steele, Jimmy Lloyd, William Murphy and Wally Cassell. This war drama is one of the greatest of its kind. War footage sets an early standard. Highly recommended.

An unglamorous portrait on the frontline by war correspondent Ernie Pyle who joins Company C , 18th Infantry , it develops the largest and bloodiest battles fought by the United States in World War II, some of the deadliest campaigns in American history located in North Africa and Italy . The regiment was launched through the densely hot region of Libya and in Italy towards the end of the war . As Pyle accompanies the unit in Italy through the battles of San Vittorio and Cassino . The Germans achieved a total surprise attacking here and there , a furious offensive was intended to stop Allied armies and force the Western Allies to negotiate a peace treaty in the Axis powers' favor . MITCHUM'S GREATEST...is the screen's mightiest action drama ! The mightiest action drama ever filmed !

Serious War movie centred on a platoon virtually spread throughout the sunny Libyan deserts and in the harsh Italian mountains , shot almost documentary style , being compellingly recreated on exteriors and studios . Grunt's eye-view of the European theatre following an infanty unit through Italy and concentrates on the everyday experiences of the experiences of the Privates . Not so very different in mood from ¨The Big Red One¨ the classic movie directed by Samuel Fuller , here in ¨The story of G.I.JOE dealing with an American army unit fights its way across North Africa in World War II . Stars Ernie Pyke/Burguess Meredith as the omnipresent eyes and ears of the movie , struggling to fathom the mystery of the ordinary soldier , as he comes to know the Privates portrayed with deliberately sketchy characterization and he finds much human interest material for his readers back in the States. Wartime buffs will appeal this vivid action film in which American troops fighting against enormous odds towards the end of WWWII . At the beginning there's a strong vein of humor and subsequently happen the dramatic scenes . Starring Ernie Pyke/Burguess Meredith presents what is much an infantryman's view of war as a meaningless vista of muddle , mud , fatigue and anything else . As Pyke learns from its commanding officer, Lt. and later Capt. Bill Walker/Robert Mitchum of the loneliness of command , and from the individual G.I.'s of the human capacity to survive drudgery , baptism of fire , chaos , discomfort , the horror of the Nazi attacks and ending very probably at a far tomb with a wooden cross . Unfortunately , Ernie Pyle was killed by a sniper shortly before the movie's release . Filmmaker loses no chance to make true human beings out of the roles on the battlefield . Packing a talented main and support cast , though mostly unknown , in fact most of the actual unit played themselves , with exception for two greatest actors , Robert Mitchum who makes a powerful impression and Burguess Meredith as the understanding and sympathetic war correspondent writing articles about his comrades in his daily columns , resulting Pulitzer winner , both of whom are really magnificent .

It packs an adequate cinematography in Black and White and in overblown and amazing deep by cameraman Russell Metty . The motion picture, a big United Artists spectacle well produced by Lester Cowan and David Hall , was competentingly directed by William A Wellman . William made very good films , as Wellman directed all kind of genres as Wartime : ¨Alas¨ , ¨Battleground¨ , ¨The story of GI Joe¨ , ¨Lafayette Escadrilla¨ , Drama : ¨Nothing sacred¨, ¨Blood Alley¨ , ¨Good my lady¨ , ¨Magic Town and the Oscarized ¨A Star is born¨ , his greatest success , Adventure : ¨Beau Geste¨ , Gangster movie : ¨Public enemy ¨, and Western : ¨Buffalo Bill¨ , ¨, ¨Joaquin Murrieta¨ , ¨Across the wide Missouri¨ , ¨Westerward the woman¨ , ¨¨Yellow sky¨,and this¨The Ox-Box incident¨, among others . Rating : 7/10 .

It's odd that a director noted for his aviation films would choose to direct a film about the infantry, but William Wellman knew a great subject when he saw it. Remember he also did the deservedly highly acclaimed Battleground.

Independent producer Lucas Cowen got together with Ernie Pyle and approached Wellman. They left copies of the stories Pyle wrote from the front in Africa and Italy and Wellman read them in a night's sitting and agreed to do the film.

The Story of GI Joe is based on the various stories and characters that World War II's most famous correspondent encountered. In fact aside from Robert Mitchum and a couple of other actors, the men in this film are real GIs who were in transit from the European to the Pacific Theater and a lot were killed after they arrived in the Pacific as did the real Ernie Pyle who never got to see the finished product.

Burgess Meredith does a fine job recreating the modest chronicler that was Ernie Pyle. In civilian life aside from news stories, Pyle was famous for his cross country travels and stories he wrote about people from all walks of life. Very much like the late television commentator Charles Kuralt did on CBS morning news on Sundays.

When war broke out Pyle did not cover the war of the generals, he spent his time with the troops and told their story. For that he was respected and beloved as now other war correspondent has ever been before or since. In this film Pyle is introduced to the men of one company which transports him to that first American battle and defeat at Kasserine Pass in north Africa. And he runs into them again and again through Sicily right to the liberation of Rome.

Robert Mitchum plays the lieutenant later captain in charge of this company. He'd broken into films with some Hopalong Cassidy pictures and did bits in other films. In fact when its cowboy star Tim Holt enlisted in the armed forces, RKO pictures had signed Mitchum to be his replacement and he'd done two films Nevada and West of the Pecos when he read for the part of Lieutenant Walker.

If it weren't for this film, Robert Mitchum might have continued to be a B picture cowboy star. For his portrayal of the stern, but compassionate officer in whom Pyle finds a kindred spirit, Robert Mitchum got his only Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. He lost that year to James Dunn for A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. He never received another nomination, but he certainly became a legend although he'd have been the first to debunk that title.

Lots of newsreel footage from the Mediterranean theater make The Story of GI Joe one of the most realistic war films ever done. That's remarkable too, considering most of the Hollywood product back then was propaganda hype, good and bad. It has remained a classic to this day and a wonderful tribute to that chronicler of the infantry, Ernie Pyle.

"The Story of GI Joe" is a biography – and almost feels like a documentary – of the famous US World War II correspondent Ernie Pyle (played by Burgess Meredith) as he covers the gritty exploits of Company C of the US 18th Infantry. The director, William Wellman, based the movie upon Pyle's Pulitzer Prize winning book. Pyle was a rare breed. He insisted on being on the front lines with our GIs so as to get the right account of what was really happening with the average Joe. His purpose was not to carry a weapon but to take notes and send true stories back home about young soldiers who expressed their fears and concerns, and who felt their way thorough their first combat. Pyle stuck with the soldiers through heavy rains, mud holes, flowing streams, and combat situations. Pyle's dispatches showed the home front parents what their boys were going through.

Initially the slow-paced film begins in North Africa (February 1943) and covers the American reverse at the hands of the Axis forces of Field Marshall Rommel at the Kasserine Pass. After that it moves quickly over the American victories in Africa and the conquest of Sicily. Then the rest of the movie's focus is the war in Italy (up to the capture of Rome), especially the battles of San Vittorio and Mt. Cassino (a sixth century abbey). As for the latter, the Germans did not use its strategic position until it was bombed. But the rubble made them a favorable defensive position. The US soldiers – mechanics, construction men, office workers, etc. before the war – are well led by the humane Lt. Walker (Robert Mitchum). Walker, outside of Pyle, gets the most attention. But Sgt. Warnicki (Freddie Steele), Pvt. Donaro (Wally Cassel), and Pvt. Murphy (John Reilly) also have sizable parts to play. When Warnicki enters a bombed out Catholic Church to pray, he leaves his helmet on. It's a good thing he did so. Donaro confronts a frightened Italian woman, but note her relief when he speaks Italian. Murphy's company gives him the use of a most unusual bridal suite after he marries his fiancée, a nurse. Supporting roles were also played by actual combat veterans of North Africa, Sicily, and Italy. Meredith comes across very well as the sincere and humble war correspondent.

The movie is convincing and natural: There are no heroics here, no John Wayne valor, no patriotic slogans. General Eisenhower called this the greatest war movie that he had ever seen. Ironically, the real Ernie Pyle never saw this movie. It premiered in 1945, after the fall of Germany (European Theater of Operations, ETO) but with the Pacific Theater of Operations (PTO) still in progress. Pyle had already left Europe for the western Pacific, and was killed during the last battle of the war (Okinawa) in April 1945.

William A. Wellman is one of the American cinema's greatest craftsmen. The Story of G.I. Joe is one of his best, if not his best. It presumably inspired a lot of later films. It especially reminds me of Stanley Kubrick's Vietnam film, Full Metal Jacket (the second half of it, anyway). This film should also be praised for its dedication to realism, and its lack of propaganda, surprising in such a vivid war film that was being made in the thick of the action in both Europe and the Pacific.

I also really love the script. The structure is very tenuous. Unlike most American films, it has no real "goal." Take a look at the infinitely inferior Steven Spielberg film Saving Private Ryan. In that film, the story centered around the search for Private Ryan. In The Story of G.I. Joe, the goal is simply the arrival at Rome, but this isn't at all what the film is about. It concentrates mostly on how the soldiers passed the time and how they felt. In this way, it's the second most sensitive war film I can think of, only following Jean Renoir's unsurpassed The Grand Illusion. There are some excellent battle scenes, as well.

As with most war films, there isn't a lot of overt characterization. It works really well here, though. Instead of opting for the old two-dimensional types of soldiers - you know, the "tough guy" the "young guy" the "religious guy" and what have you - Wellman just lets the characters develop within the actors. We may not know all of their names, or even recognize the same characters throughout the film, but, with each close-up of a soldier's face, we know as much about that person as we could know. The acting is very good. The three who stand out are Burgess Meredith, who plays Ernie Pyle, the writer whose works the film is based on, Robert Mitchum, wonderfully sensitive as the troop leader (he was probably never better; he received his one and only Oscar nomination for the role), and Freddie Steele. Early in the film he receives a phonograph recording of his young son speaking. He spends most of the film first looking for a phonograph player and then trying to repair it. This subplot is especially touching.

Wellman's direction is superb. The cinematography is, as well, and so is the music. The only problem that the film has is that it runs into war movie cliches, but one would expect that those cliches probably existed in real life, as well. 10/10.

Being family to the story's author, Ernie Pyle, I have been privy to lots of background on the movie itself. Ernie Pyle was and still is considered to be one of the greatest war correspondents ever, and NOT for writing about the campaigns or generals - but about the everyday life and drudgery of the grunts, sailors and airmen. A ship, plane, and numerous schools have been named after him, his works still studied by today's aspiring journalists, and Ernie's most famous article, "The Death of Capt Waskow", is even portrayed by Mitchum in this movie (http://www.journalism.indiana.edu/news/erniepyle/waskow.html)

When Hollywood wanted to capitalize on Ernie's fame and make a movie of his book "Here is Your War" and daily articles, he made a distinct point in ensuring the movie wasn't about him, but rather about what the GIs go through (he is sometimes even credited with coining the moniker "GI Joe" - but I can't verify this).

That is also why this is not your traditional shoot-em-up-blow-em-up action packed movie. As in real life (and having just retired from 21 yrs active duty myself I know personally), combat action is really 45 days of sheer maddening boredom interrupted by 45 seconds of sheer indiscriminate terror. And that is what this movie portrays for the first time - and the dirt - the boredom - the dark humor - and the tragic unpredictable randomness of combat death.

Ernie was involved in the making of the movie but never saw its completion before being killed by a sniper on Ie Shima in 1945 on 18 April (now celebrated as National Columnists Day even - http://www.columnists.com/pyle.html) and Meredith fairly closely portrays the diminutive stature of Ernie.

In fact, this movie is specifically credited from Hasbro's own web site with naming the most popular boy's action figure - GI Joe (http://www.hsbro.com/gijoe/rah/default.cfm?page=history). Hasbro finally also provided a limited special edition "Ernie Pyle GI Joe" - but it's best to buy the $28 corrected version from the Ernie Pyle Museum in Dana, IN, than the $50+ uncorrected versions on eBay.

Additionally, today's military even can thank Ernie for "hazardous duty" or "combat pay" with the "Ernie Pyle Bill" by Congress in 1945 to award such special pay. After seeing that the everyday grunt that was bearing the burden and horror of war and getting paid no different for risking their lives than the REMFs back at Washington for pushing paper - he took exception and wrote - and wrote - and wrote, which in turn was taken to heart by the American public and their elected representatives.

Lastly, when Ernie was killed on Ie Shima, the soldiers so respected him that while all the military KIAs were being buried in their ponchos or blankets by the hundreds a day, they took the time to make a coffin for this non-combatant civilian journalist - and buried along side the grunts he loved so well. I doubt any of today's journalists would ever rate that kind of respect.

No, not your modern action packed war movie - but neither is real war, and this movie tells it like it really is!

The US North African and Italian campaigns of World War 2, as seen through the eyes of a company of infantrymen. More particularly, this is the story of Ernie Pyle, famed war correspondent. His writings brought the war home to America and told the story of the war from the perspective of the average US soldier.

Good depiction of the US North African and Italian campaigns of WW2, as seen from the perspective of average infantry soldiers, and a distinguished journalist. Initially not that engaging, it gets better as it goes along. Very gritty by the end.

Solid performances from Robert Mitchum and Burgess Meredith. Good supporting performances too.

Even though The Story of G.I. Joe isn't nearly the best war movie that came out of the 1940s, it's a pretty famous classic, and for a bit of a sad reason. It's based on the writings of Pulitzer Prize winning Ernie Pyle, and while he was available to consult during the filming, he was killed in action before the film's release. So, while Burgess Meredith acted out his experiences, everyone in the audience was constantly reminded that the real Ernie Pyle wasn't alive to see it.

Along the lines of The Dawn Patrol and All Quiet on the Western Front, this is realistic, sad look at what soldiers went through on the front lines. This is not a propaganda film that shows our boys on leave, falling in love, and making it home in time for Christmas. Lots of soldiers die, and tragedies, frustrations, and opposition are shown on the battlefield.

Also, although this is an ensemble piece, Robert Mitchum received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. This was his only nomination throughout his entire career, and if you watch more of his movies, you'll wonder why his talent wasn't more recognized. If you're a fan, you can rent this depressing war movie to see his breakthrough performance; just don't expect to feel good about it.

One of the most fascinating tributes to the foot soldier is this 1945 war film that follows Ernie Pyle, beloved war correspondent, as he treks along through mud and ambushes with a platoon of weary G.I. Joes.

Robert Mitchum earned an Oscar nomination as Lt. Bill Walker and many of the other males in the cast were real combat soldiers who actually participated in the making of the film. The plot is no more than a series of skirmishes the platoon faces on a mission against Nazis in Italy. Burgess Meredith makes Ernie Pyle a likeable human being who wins the trust and affection of the platoon as he trudges with them across marshlands and all of the "up front" activity involved.

Human touches abound without the emphasis on cliches that often abound in war films. Mitchum gives just the right touch to his role as the leader who understands the strain his soldiers are under. The inclusion of a sub-plot involving a soldier anxious to hear the sound of his son's voice on a recording; and a pooch that becomes the mascot for the troops, are touches that give the film added humanity.

There is some editing that seems a bit jumpy in the latter part of the film, as though some cuts were made--but all in all this is a very watchable war film with a close-up look at the men and their courage under fire. A fine tribute also to Ernie Pyle, a famous Pulitzer Prize-winning war correspondent during the dark days of World War II. Highly recommended.

Burgess Meredith is one of cinema's most passive heroes as war correspondent Ernie Pyle, who spends most of Story of G.I. Joe gazing admiringly at his enlisted companions or shedding a quiet tear over their demise. A young Robert Mitchum provides much-needed vitality as his soldier-friend who rises through the ranks as his unit travels from Africa to Europe. Strangely, as far as I can recall not one enemy soldier is shown on screen. Despite its basis in fact, the use of stereotypical characters prevents this effort from standing out.

This film forced me to register for IMDb! Everything about it was great, especially the acting. Ultimately it is a very sad movie but then war is a horrible affair. Freddie Steele impressed me the most, he was so real like someone you know from work. It's worth seeing the picture just to watch him spit tobacco.

It is hard to track which character is which in many war movies but this movie does a great job fleshing out the soldiers. I can see why the best war movies are star studded, it really helps one follow the characters around.

Thank you IMDb. How did anyone know much about the trivia of movies before you came along?

This film is an odd mix. In spots the dialog and situations are cornier than Capra. But it is the first real attempt to depict (at least in part) some of the day to day hardships of the regular GI.

Since the war was still on when this picture was made (released in 1945), the message had to be at least somewhat hopeful and yet it struck a mix not unlike some of Pyle's dispatches from the front. It certainly feels much more realistic than some earlier efforts like In Which We Serve (1942) The idea of filming on location hadn't been adopted yet, and the North Africa scenes filmed in California have a "wrongness" about the feel that hurts the early scenes in the picture. Also, some anachronisms in the equipping of the GI's will stand out as well to anyone familiar with newsreel footage or some of the better made documentaries that have been made since. The later footage that is supposed to be in Italy doesn't suffer as much from the lack of actual locations.

Much of the picture revolves around an effort to get past a mountain guarded by an ancient monastery. The film somewhat rewrites history at this point in an attempt to exorcise some of the errors in judgment that later came to be associated with the bombing of Monte Cassino.

Several filmic techniques are used a bit heavy handedly as well. Care is taken to keep the Germans a faceless, inscrutable foe. There is one scene where the lighting is very dramatically (and somewhat obviously)arranged so that a dark shadow is cast by a captured German's helmet. We don't have to see much of his face and certainly not his eyes.

The use of the puppy is a bit overdone. Using a puppy to whine when we should be feeling sad is a bit heavy handed. Conversely the filmic trick of using the noise of nearby explosions to cover/censor one soldier's lewd comments is done with a wink and a nod to the audience. It's clear that film makers knew we'd get the joke. Since it was wartime, no American soldiers were shown too terribly mangled or with graphic / disturbing injuries. Rapid jump cuts were used very effectively in several key battle scenes to heighten the tension without having to overdo the special effects.

One plot element was a bit weird though. A GI receives a record containing his son's first recorded words. The GI has never heard his kid speak and tries repeatedly to get the record to play on a phonograph that he "liberates" For some inexplicable reason the recording seems to have been recorded backwards so that all the GI can hear is garbled. Yet at one crucial moment he tries again and the recording this time seems to play fine despite it being obvious that he's done nothing differently. A bit more care in staging this could have made it actually work.

Another thought that occurred to me several times while watching this picture was that while regular GI's were overseas actually fighting and dying for their country. The actors and crew involved in this film were safe at home. I've seen many other pictures made during war-time but somehow the confluence of this picture's message and the facts that I now know in retrospect made that somewhat jarring.

Overall, I found this film to be WORTH watching but it didn't engage me the way that more well made films have. Still, releasing this shortly after Ernie Pyle's death in combat must have helped make it as successful as it was.

The General said it was the most realistic movie about what it was really like for the average G.I. Joe in WWII. It was actually made during the end of the war - that's why it looks so realistic. Most WWII movies of the forties and fifties were rah-rah movies. This one is very dark.

This film cannot compare with SAVING PRIVATE RYAN or THIN RED LINE in attractiveness. On the plus side, it is not excessively patriotic or heroic. On the negative side, it is sentimental with minimal production values. No blood is ever visible, but no one ever shouts jingoistic platitudes. Motivations and objectives are obscure. The stress is on everyday discomforts and the constant threatening presence of death and adverse weather. Perhaps its focus on these miseries is what makes it an accurate war movie.

Despite the acclaim on the DVD cover of the version I borrowed, this film was a disappointment. Yes, it is far more realistic than other war films of the period for depicting the mud, boredom and frustration of the grunt, but unfortunately one comes away from it thinking that's ALL there is to this movie. There is no plot and the dialogue is monotonous. It's not that a good war film needs to have a battle scene every five minute. One of the best World War II films, "Twelve O'Clock High," has very little action. But it compensates with crackling dialogue and psychological tension. The exception to "The Story of G.I. Joe" is a brief battle segment (titled "city under siege" on the DVD) which takes place in Italy. Admittedly it is one of the most fast-paced and convincing combat scenes of any war movie. But alas, the rest of the film is not worth watching just for this highlight. Another turn-off is Pvt. Dondaro, played by Wally Cassell, who is meant to be a "romeo" but comes off a pervert. By contrast, Sgt. Warnicki is a sympathetic, if flawed, man. As he says to Capt. Walker (Mitchum) when volunteering for another patrol: "Every step forward is a step closer... to home." But that last step – one patrol too many – drives him over the mental brink. Too bad the rest of the movie doesn't do justice to some otherwise fine touches. As for Meredith's portrayal of Pyle... it is practically comatose.