No surprise, Frank Sinatra gives another solid performance the John Sturges WWII flick "Never So Few." It also has some below-the-title roles for Steve McQueen and Charles Bronson.
In an effort to differentiate itself, "Never So Few" is riddled with second unit footage of Burma. Extras in the main characters' costumes wander around ancient architecture at a safe distance from the camera. The disconnect between these shots and those safely on a Hollywood set soon becomes laughable, like a "Mystery Science Theater" routine: "Actual Burma. Fake Burma. Actual Burma." and so on.
The battle scenes are handsomely staged, with a calculated number of casualties on both sides. The romantic subplot is gently shoehorned into the film. The problem is, nothing really stands out in "Never So Few." It's exactly what you'd expect from a forgotten war picture from the fifties.
In an effort to differentiate itself, "Never So Few" is riddled with second unit footage of Burma. Extras in the main characters' costumes wander around ancient architecture at a safe distance from the camera. The disconnect between these shots and those safely on a Hollywood set soon becomes laughable, like a "Mystery Science Theater" routine: "Actual Burma. Fake Burma. Actual Burma." and so on.
The battle scenes are handsomely staged, with a calculated number of casualties on both sides. The romantic subplot is gently shoehorned into the film. The problem is, nothing really stands out in "Never So Few." It's exactly what you'd expect from a forgotten war picture from the fifties.
George Takei has a rare pre-Star Trek role in "Never So Few."
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