Command Decision

Not Really a War Movie
In a larger sense "Command Decision" is not really a war movie but a film about the responsibility of command and leadership. It is one of the few films that effectively explores these topics; and belongs right up there with the original "Flight of the Phoenix" and "The Red Tent". Not having the visual power of those two films (the limited combat/action scenes are almost entirely stock footage), it must focus more narrowly on the human complications arising from the responsibility of command. The contradiction being that while a leader must cease to be human, no one who can do this is fit to be a leader.

Adapted from a stage play, "Command Decision" suffers from a fair amount of "long-windedness". Fortunately the most long-winded character (Major General Kane-played by Walter Pigeon), is well written and has many substantial things to convey. Much like his character in "Forbidden Planet", Pigeon is tasked with inserting historical and philosophical details into the story,...

a true classic
One of my favorite films of all time, I would really like to see this released to DVD. The production design is very stage-like. The first time I saw it, I felt I was watching a tightly, but perfectly composed piece. It was, of course, adapted from a stage play and unlike other film adaptations that use the medium of film to break out of the proscenium, the design of this film is contained. It serves to contain the dramatic tension and the pressure the characters are under. The script is beautifully taut. There is a good lesson in this classic, questions on which we should reflect when it comes to putting our people in harm's way. It shows the terrible burden of the few who are at the fulcrum between the policy makers, always far away from the battle, and the men and women on the point.

terrific behind- the- military brass movie!must watch !
I CAUGHT THIS ONE FIRST ON T.N.T;SINCE I AM FROM INDIA,EVEN COMMON WW2 MOVIES LIKE "THE DIRTY DOZEN"&"WHERE EAGLES DARE" COME EXTREMELY RARELY IN A THEATRE NEARBY.THIS 1948 RELEASE IS A WW2 FILM WITH VERY LITTLE ACTION;IT'S MORE OF A DISCUSSION(A RATHER ABSORBING ONE!)ON THE U.S. MILITARY BRASS DURING WW2.CLARK GABLE(IN A MATURE PERFORMANCE) INSISTS ON FLYING DANGEROUS MISSIONS IN ORDER TO WIN THE WAR;VAN JOHNSON IS FINE IN A LIKEABLY FUNNY PERFORMANCE,WHILE WALTER PIDGEON & CHARLES BICKFORD LEND THE FILM IT'S DIGNITY.AN EXTREMELY ABSORBING FILM IN THE REALM OF OTHER POLITICAL THRILLERS LIKE"SEVEN DAYS IN MAY".

Click to Editorial Reviews