Warner Sci-fi writer Robert Heinlein contributed to this prophetic tale of sending men to the moon (which would occur almost two decades later). It’s directed by Irving Pichel, with the sets based on the illustrations by Chesly Bonestell.   Oscar Nominations: 2 Special Effects Art Direction-Set Decoration: Ernst Fegte; George Sawley   Oscar Awards: 1 […]

In this silly and improbable World War II agit-prop, Errol Flynn plays one of RAF pilots to survive a crash-landing in occupied Poland. They are relentlessly pursued by Nazi officer (Raymond Massey). After humiliating Massey, Flynn and cohort Ronald Reagan steal a German bomber and head back to England. “Now for Australia and a crack […]

Warner This Sigmund Romberg operetta was filmed in 1929 and then again in 1953. Dennis Morgan leads North African soliders in their fight against the Nazis in this updated version, directed by Robert Florey. Some of the film’s sets were used a year earlier in Casablanca. The cast includes Bruce Cabot, Gene Lockhart, Faye Emerson, […]

Directed by Robert Wise, The Desert Rats was a follow-up to 20th Century-Fox’s war film The Desert Fox. Richard Burton plays an officer in the British Eighth Army, trying to halt Rommel’s forces in defense of Tobruk. Put in charge of an Australian unit, Burton rides his men ruthlessly but successfully. He is briefly captured […]

Set during the 17th-century Polish-Swedish war and based on a novel by Henrik Sienkiewicz, The Deluge follows the romance between a violent soldier and the young woman who tries to tame him. Directed by Jerzy Hoffman, The Deluge was nominated for the 1974 Best Foreign language Picture. Oscar Context The winner was the popular favorites, […]