Short Review: Hell in your DVD player.


Lee Marvin and Toshirô Mifune star in this mismanaged film about an American pilot and Japanese sailor who are marooned on a forgotten island during World War II. Toshirô Mifune is one of the great film actors but his immense talents are wasted here. Marvin, who is at the height of his career, likewise seems misplaced. Director John Boorman (Exorcist II: The Heretic) fails to put together a coherent visual theme and overreaches with his editing. Even forgiving these faults the music from composer Lalo Schifrin (Rush Hour) is so incredibly intrusive and at times ear-splitting; it makes the film nearly unwatchable. The soundtrack is so prompting I found it to comical at times, as if they were trying spoofing overbearing film scores.

You’ve probably never heard of this film. There’s a good reason why this has been forgotten. You’re doing yourself a favor if you make this the only time you consider seeing this movie.


Related Reviews:
Toshirô Mifune movies
Yojimbo (1961)
Sanjuro (1962)


Other Critic's Reviews:
War Movie Blog
Variety

Labels: film, Lee Marvin, movie review, Toshirô Mifune, war