The Young Lions (1958)

VHS CASE/SIDE

MPPA Certifcate Number: 18687

Length of film:  167 Minutes

Rated: Approved

Genre: Action, Drama, War

Director: Edward Dmytryk

Starring: Marlon Brando, Montgomery Clift, Dean Martin, Hope Lange, Barbara Rush, May Britt, Maximilian Schell, Dora Doll, Lee Van Cleef

IMDB Rank: 7.1/10

Part 1 Time:  96 Minutes

Part 2 Time:  71 Minutes

Where does the first part end? Lt. Christian Diwstl (Marlon Brando) and Capt. Hardenberg (Maximillian Schell) leave the German military camp in a jeep during an air raid. Their jeep is hit and the screen fades to black.

Final line of dialogue on the first part: “Dismissed” German commander speaks to a group of German officers about the current status of the North African Campaign.

First line of dialogue on the second part: No dialogue, a montage of scenes show the advances of the ally powers during the final months of the North African Campaign. Lt. Christian Diwstl and Capt. Hardenberg are riding a motorcycle attempting to evade capture. “Damn you! Keep awake,” yells Capt. Hardenberg.

How jarring is it when the first part ends? Jarring, Lt. Christian Diwstl is in immediate danger due to the air raid. Will he be able to survive the air raid and avoid capture?

Which part is better? The film documents the lives of three men prior to and during World War II. We are able to see the similarities of the three protagonists as they embark on their respective campaigns. Part two is given the advantage as the war begins to close and each characters journey begins to cross-cross. Lt. Christian Dietl, Noah Ackerman (Montgomery Clift), and Michael Whiteacre (Dean Martin) are each faced with a question of purpose as well as loyalty to family and country.

Academy Awards: Best Cinematography-Black and White (Nominated), Best Sound (Nominated) Best Music- Scoring of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture (Nominated)