BREAKTHROUGH

US, 1950, 91 minutes, Black and white.
David Brian, John Agar, Frank Lovejoy, William Campbell, Paul Picerni, Dick Wesson.
Directed by Lewis Seiler.

Breakthrough is a modest war film from 1950, recreating action five years after the events, the training of American troops in Britain before D-Day?. The producers thank the American military for permission to include actual action sequences.

The cast consists of character actors from Warner Brothers, with David Brian emerging at this time as a lead, Oscar-nominated for Intruder in the Dust, and pairing with Joan Crawford.

The film can be seen as something of a postscript to the World War II movies.

1. A look back at action in World War II? American troops, training in England, the details of the training, preparation for the invasion of Europe, D-Day?, backup, the end of the war and progress towards Berlin?

2. The title, with reference to the action, the contribution to victory in World War II?

3. Training sequences, battle sequences, the use of actual Army footage?

4. The focus on one group, leadership, training, mistakes, building up morale? The variety of different characters in this military setting? In England, the experience, readiness for action in Europe?

5. The characters, their interactions, struggles, friendships, comradeship, deaths in battle, memories? The command, the psychological pressure on commanders, difficulties in making decisions, personalising their interactions with the men, the need for being replaced? And the system starting again?

6. Tom Hale, his toughness, in the training, his reaction to Mallory and his personal concern, the mistake? The continued training? In active service, the pressure on him, his weeping, becoming too personalised despite his toughness? The discussion about his being relieved from his post? His understanding? His selection of Mallory, handing onto Mallory?

7. The musclebound southerner, redneck, his dog, his tears?

8. The comedian, his impersonations, Bogart, cheering people up?

9. The young man, glasses, too young to vote?

10. Mallory, eager, in the test, live ammunition, his mistake, reprimanded by Hale, success in warfare, taking over, imitating Hale’s methods and taking his advice?

11. Tough kids, from Chicago, from Brooklyn, the death on the tank after throwing the grenade?

12. Sgt Bell, his reassuring presence, continued support of his men?

13. The overall picture of action in World War II, from the perspective of five years later?