Aggiungi una trama nella tua linguaIn the waning days of World War II, the cargo officer of a Navy supply ship chafes at its role far from the action in the Pacific's backwater areas, his frustration rising when its captain d... Leggi tuttoIn the waning days of World War II, the cargo officer of a Navy supply ship chafes at its role far from the action in the Pacific's backwater areas, his frustration rising when its captain denies the crew liberty over petty irritations.In the waning days of World War II, the cargo officer of a Navy supply ship chafes at its role far from the action in the Pacific's backwater areas, his frustration rising when its captain denies the crew liberty over petty irritations.
- Regia
- Sceneggiatura
- Star
- Vincitore di 1 Oscar
- 4 vittorie e 6 candidature totali
- Mannion
- (as Phil Carey)
- Bookser
- (as Pat Wayne)
- Wiley
- (as Tiger Andrews)
Recensioni in evidenza
What always struck me about this film was its realism. I spent some time on an auxiliary ship in the navy, and it's not glamorous. This film perfectly captures the life aboard non-combatant ships. They provide a vital service, but rarely get recognized for it. It also demonstrates what real leadership is. The main duty of an officer is to provide leadership and to see to the welfare of his troops. Mr Roberts is a shining example of a great officer.
The film also shows that the enemy isn't always on the other ship. I have seen captains like Cagney's, and you often spent more time defending your crew from those skippers, than you did from the opposing force. As Mr Roberts said, "....I know in wartime they scrape the bottom of the barrel...", well, they sometimes scrape that barrel in peacetime.
There's a great blend of comedy and drama throughout; but, just when you are feeling good, it delivers a punch to the gut. This is life as it is, not an idealized world.
Sign on board for a tour of duty with this film. You'll be glad you did.
The cast is excellent in its own right, and the main characters are ideally matched with their roles. Henry Fonda could be no better in portraying Roberts in all his interactions with the other characters, Jack Lemmon is always entertaining as Pulver, and in Doc, William Powell gets the kind of role he played better than anyone. James Cagney is flawless as the sometimes small-minded captain, bringing out his shortcomings, yet also allowing you to understand why the character is like that.
Most of the settings work well, and they help to create a believable atmosphere of navy life. The running confrontations with the palm tree and the letters are well-conceived, and they are also used effectively, getting a lot of material out of them without stretching things too far. "Mr. Roberts" communicates some worthwhile ideas while remaining enjoyable, and provides good entertainment and comedy without avoiding the realities in the characters' lives.
The end result, though, is great, and the actors show they have the timing and the grace to carry this one through magnificently.
The captain grew up poor and this did not teach him empathy for his fellow man when he climbed out of poverty and became an officer. Instead he just learned to be the ultimate bully. He denies the crew privileges because he can, but he is always interested in schmoozing superior officers whom he deems as important. In the words of "Philadelphia Story", In spite of the fact that somebody's up from the bottom, he can still be quite a heel. "
The crew idolizes Roberts because he is constantly antagonizing their tormenter. But then one day the Captain holds the crew's much deserved and much needed liberty for ransom - Roberts has to stop writing requests for transfers and act like he is toadying to the captain from now on and moreso keep this arrangement secret - and Roberts has to choose.
Because the film is about boredom during wartime, it would be easy for this film to be - well - boring, but to its credit it is not. This is because of all of the small scenes involving the four leads and the outstanding cast. Henry Fonda starred as Mr. Roberts onstage, and it is said he actually directed parts of it after John Ford walked off. William Powell makes his last film appearance as the ship's surgeon, "Doc", and he has some scenes that have that wily and humorous Powell greatness while delivering words of wisdom or a recipe for fake Scotch. Jack Lemmon won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role as Ensign Pulver, a slimy little weasel and wannabe womanizer who has potential.
I'd recommend this even if you are not particularly fond of war films - I'm not and I enjoyed it a great deal.
Lo sapevi?
- QuizWilliam Powell's last film, his final film appearance. He had marked difficulties retaining his lines, something that had not happened to him in earlier films. This, along with frail health (including bouts with cancer) plus a difficult Hawaii location shoot, ultimately led to the actor's decision to retire.
- BlooperIn the scene where the ship is underway and at general quarters, several shots of the bridge show that there is no one at the helm (steering the ship).
- Citazioni
[last lines]
Ensign Frank Thurlowe Pulver: Captain, it is I, Ensign Pulver, and I just threw your stinkin' palm tree overboard! Now what's all this crud about no movie tonight?
- Curiosità sui creditiThe seven top-billed actors listed in the opening credits are not listed with the other players in the end credits.
- Versioni alternativeTelevision and the standard VHS prints substitute a different march that is played over the loudspeakers during the scene where Henry Fonda is listening to the VE Day celebrations and throws the captain's palm tree overboard. Also eliminated is the voice-over of Fonda humming the march as he walks up the gang ladder leaving the scene.
- ConnessioniFeatured in AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Henry Fonda (1978)
- Colonne sonoreIf I Could Be with You One Hour Tonight
(uncredited)
Music by James P. Johnson
Words by Henry Creamer
Published by Warner Bros. Inc. (ASCAP)
Sung, hummed and whistled by Jack Lemmon throughout film (uncredited)
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Dettagli
Botteghino
- Lordo Stati Uniti e Canada
- 21.200.000 USD
- Tempo di esecuzione2 ore 3 minuti
- Proporzioni
- 2.55 : 1