Battle at Bloody Beach

Audie Murphy was actually a better actor than he was usually given credit for--he did excellent work in "The Red Badge of Courage" and his own biography, "To Hell and Back"--but you couldn't tell by this low-rent war picture. Murphy pretty much walks through the picture, although co- star Alejandro Rey tries to breathe some life into it. The sloppy direction, poor script, overacting by Gary Crosby (as usual), tired performance by a tired-looking Dolores Michaels and its overall cheesiness combine to make this picture definitely one of Murphy's lesser efforts. A burst of not particularly well done action at the end can't really save it. The ending is predictable, trite and not even remotely believable. Overall, pretty much of a dud.

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.

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.

No amount of charisma from Audie Murphy was ever going to be able to rescue this from obscurity. Determined to emulate other stars of his era and move away from the declining Western genre with which he had some success, he takes on the role as American civilian "Benson" who works with the local Filipino population following the Japanese invasion of the islands during WWII. It's not really up to much, this film - a sort of rose-tinted look at the aftermath of the occupation that really focusses more on his determination to find "Ruth" (Dolores Michaels) rather than for any more laudable cause - he ends up helping because of her, rather than for any principle. It's strangely flat and un-engaging; there is some action but for the most part it rumbles along for 80 minutes with an inevitability about it that is quite dull and entirely predictable with a star far from his best.