Halls of Montezuma Reviews

A solid WWII action drama, HALLS OF MONTEZUMA stars Widmark as Lieutenant Carl Anderson, a tough but compassionate Marine officer leading his men through one battle after another across the Pacific. Most of the story concerns Anderson's efforts to infiltrate enemy-controlled territory and capture prisoners who will reveal the location of a Japanese rocket site that is impeding the advance of thousands of American troops. With him go young recruits Wagner and Homeier, onetime boxer Palance and tough old pros Bert Freed, Neville Brand and Webb, along with an eccentric interpreter, Gardiner. Widmark is authoritative and fully convincing as the introspective commanding officer. Jack Palance gives his tried-and-true neurotic portrayal, this time as a punch-drunk pug. Skip Homeier is effective and frightening as a kid who goes berserk from the tension. Director Lewis Milestone, an old hand at war films (ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT), again excels in this topnotch production full of action, taut drama and telling characterizations.