Story of G.I. Joe (1945)

That was an excellent one.

Fantastic!

It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.

Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.

The film follows war-time correspondent Ernie Pyle (Burgess Meredith) as he follows a U.S. infantry company from their bloody initiation at the Kasserine Pass debacle in North Africa to the liberation of Rome. Although Meredith and Robert Mitchum (Lt. Walker) are the film's nominal stars, they film is really about the soldiers, reflecting Pyle's journalistic focus on the men, not the war. Considered a very realistic depiction of war, much of the time the soldiers are walking though, or sitting in, rain and mud, griping about the army, dreaming about girls, and trying to stay as comfortable as possible under sometimes extremely ardous circumstances. The infrequent combat they see (mostly off-screen) is depicted as necessary but not heroic, and men just die, with no apparent greater reason or meaning to justify their individual sacrifice. Some of the events seem a bit implausible (the little dog, the wedding) but as the film is based on Pyle's experiences, they may have actually occurred (I have never read any of his writings). Considering that the film was made while the war in Europe was still being fought, it is surprisingly honest and downbeat. "The Story of G.I. Joe" is a must see for fans of the genre and there are a number of interesting observations made about its realistic portrayal of military life that are worth reading. Sadly, some of the 'extras' were U.S. military personal who lost their lives in the last months of the war.

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.

The Story of G.I. Joe is a historic film. It's the first truthful look at the infantry men during WWII. there is rain and mud and snow and ice and horror beyond all horror. Loneliness and love. And Men who break during Combat and men who die. Ernie Pyle lived that life marching the same mud filled roads as the Joes and watching the smiling youthful faces full of hope turn old and full of bitterness and regret. Pyle knew what he was talking about he lived it alongside the soldiers that helped win a war. He suffered as they suffered and told their story as honestly as he could and in the end this made Pyle the most beloved War correspondent of his time . And maybe for all time. Pyle had a hand in the making of this film. I've noticed there are people who say this film is dated. Of course its dated Time marches on. and everything changes War changes. This is a look at the War as it was during the years 1939 -1945. Of course its set in the year 1944. And that's why it feels dated to those who were not there. For kids raised on WWII films like saving private Ryan and Band of Brothers with those films you get a good Technicolour look at WWII and a modern feel. But what people forget is back in 1945 there were severe limits placed on what you could see in a movie. This film captures the feel and the essence of what it was like to be a G.I .Joe. Robert Mitchum was made a superstar in his star making role here. The scene that made him a star in which Captain Walker talks about the New ones is perfect and heartfelt. And Ernie Pyle's spirit comes thru as much as his love and affection for the fighting man. with that perfect last line. "For those beneath the wooden crosses there is nothing we can do except pause..and murmur thanks pal thanks ." that sums it up perfectly. Incredible film and a eye opener of what it was like to be a G.I. Joe.

Not since All Quiet on the Western Front (1930) has the infantry got so down and dirty. If the men of Company C aren't eating dirt, they're getting soaked by God's own rain, or shelled from the heights of Monte Casino. I guess that's why they call combat infantry men 'grunts'. It's one heck of a dirty business as the men crawl up the Italian boot after the grudging Nazi's. I can see why they call it 'the fog of war'. No one seems to know what's going on beyond shooting at the enemy. No doubt about it, director Wellman did all he could to deglamorize anything smacking of Hollywood cosmetics. I can't help thinking GI mail got clogged with bars of soap after this movie.The treatment's one of the best from the war years. Everybody pretty much low-keys it in the emotions department, Mitchum especially. There's no theatrics, just guys trying to stay together and keep breathing. The scratchy record from home just about sums up the unspoken emotions. As good as the movie is, it's still within the limits of what could be shown during this Production Code period. In short, realism gets cut short in the blood and guts department, unlike, say, Saving Private Ryan (1998), where the gore flows freely. None of that here. Men die cleanly, but no less tragically. I'm guessing the captain's (Mitchum) death is not shown so that we're forced to hold our breath, while that long, long cadaver caravan passes by. It's a poignant end to the film, but not for the men who continue the slog up the Italian boot. Fine movie.(In passing—I guess the project was made before Ernie Pyle was killed by a Japanese sniper on Ie Shima. Here, actor Meredyth certainly appears to do him justice.)