Big Red One (1980)

Editor's Note The famous 1st Div. of the U.S. Army is the background for this World War II film. Marvin stars as an experienced sergeant with four teenagers in his squad. Combat period covers the landing in North Africa through the invasion of Europe.

	Kelly Ward
	Robert Carradine
	Mark Hamill
	Lee Marvin
	Samuel Fuller - Director

Episodic retelling of the exploits of the American First Infantry Division during World War II, focusing on the squad's sergeant and four of the soldiers. They struggle to survive campaigns from North Africa in November, 1942, to Czechoslovakia in May, 1945, along the way participating in the invasion of Sicily and the D-Day invasion and freeing a lunatic asylum and a concentration camp. Variety
"...A picture of palpable raw power which manages both intense intimacy and great scope at the same time..." 05/14/1980

New York Times
"...Handsome, technically first-rate....Fuller is a nervy, no-nonsense Hollywood original..." 07/18/1980 p.C6

Los Angeles Times
"It now seems to be Fuller's masterpiece, maybe the most unpretentious war movie ever." 10/21/2004 p.E10

Chicago Sun-Times
"This is Marvin's picture, and he dominates it not with heroics and speechmaking but with competence, patience, realism and a certain tender sadness." p.37

Premiere
"[I]t now explodes onscreen with the brash extremes of cynical violence, heartache, and profane humor that define Fuller's cinematic style." 06/01/2005 p.117

Sight and Sound
"It's vivid stuff, with an intimacy and intensity not found in later war movies..." 07/01/2005 p.82

Total Film
"From the chaos on Omaha Beach to the scene with the little girl dying in Lee Marvin's arms, this is a film that burns deep into your brain." 11/01/2008 p.138