In WWII , a Marine sergeant called Jack Connell (Chad Everett) becomes the sole survivor of a Japanese attack on his squadron at island of Guadalcanal . As Jack turns the highest decorated soldier and he has a furlough to be given the congress medal of honor by President Franklyn D. Roosevelt . Later on , he is training recruits at a boot hill and falls in love for Peggy (gorgeous Marylin Devin) and both of whom get married . But he holds an empty feeling and wants to fight at actual battles . But his happy marriage and his easy life as a camp drill , will change his life , that's why he decides to enlist again . As his fighting spirit throws him to request a return to active line of duty . The blockbusting story of a fighting marine that comes mortar-screaming out of green hells and jungles ¡ .This is the strange adventure of Shangai Jack Connell , whose greatest test of heroism came after he won the Congressional medal of Honor.........
Pretty good wartime with drama, fights , impressive grueling battles and enjoyable romance .The best character as starring played by Chad Everett as an officer who desires to be transfered back on front lines , however having much doubts and fears when he goes in action . This film pays tribute to Casablanca by Michael Curtiz , appearing frames from Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman and its musical theme would be fundamental part in this picture titled First to fight . Chad Everett gives a fine acting as the sergeant promoted lieutenant in Guadalcanal but he has symptons of cowardice , at times . Everett played some films as Rome adventure , The singing nun , Johnny Tiger , Centennial, The impossible years , Fever pitch , Jigsaw murders ,Airplane II , Intruder within, but with no much success ; nevertheless , getting a big hit in Medical Center and other series. Along with Gene Hackman in one of his first roles before becoming a mega-star , though he is billed the sixth one , he bears an important character as a two-fisted Sgt. , as he doesn't shows up until third act , but being an essential role at that point and extremely well played , as usual . And other secondaries as the illustrous Dean Jagger , James Best , Clint Ritchie , Bobby Troup , Norman Alden and Claude Akins who played various warfare movies as a simple Private , here he performs a tough captain .
Being lavishly produced by the known actor/producer/director William Conrad and Warner Bros. that also financed Casablanca . The film packs a moving and thrilling musical score by Fred Steiner . As well as colorful cinematography in Technicolor by Harald Wellman . The picture was well directed by Christian Nyby II. His first and most famous film was the classi Sci-Fi titled : The thing from another world , co-directed by Howard Hawks . Christian Nyby made a few films as Hell on Devil's island , Elfego Baca: Six gun law , Young fury , Operacion CIA , but his career was usuallly developed in television , making episodes of known series as Kojak , The six million dollar man , Lassie , Emergency , The streets of San Francisco , The Jimmy Stewart show , Daniel Boone , I spy , Bonanza, The FBI , The fugitive , Gunsmoke , The twilight zone ,Perry Mason , Whispering smith , Wagon train , Cimarron City , Tombstone, Zane Grey theater, The Californians , The Frank Sinatra show, The adventures of Jim Bowie , among others. Rating 6.5/10 . Better than average Warlike movie . Well worth watching.
