Non c'è posto per i vigliacchi

Chad Everett is a Marine who survives a brutal Japanese attack on his unit, and because of his heroism is sent Stateside on a morale-building tour, where he falls for the beautiful woman assigned as his guide. This film is actually better than it sounds; Everett is quite effective as the Marine who didn't think much about his own mortality while in combat, but begins to realize that circumstances are entirely different now that he has a wife to worry about. The supporting performances are generally competent, though Marilyn Devin's inexperience as an actress is obvious in her role as Everett's new wife (she later left the industry and became a newscaster). Gene Hackman and James Best are quite good as two of Everett's fellow Marine combat veterans. The battle scenes are well done, the story moves along at a good clip, though it does lag in spots, and overall it's one of director Christian ("The Thing") Nyby's better efforts.

This film starts during the early stages of World War II with a Marine unit fighting a fierce battle against Japanese forces on Guadalcanal. During the fight, although the rest of his platoon is killed, a young Marine named "Sergeant Jack Connell" (Chad Everett) stands firm and kills many enemy soldiers attacking his position. For his heroism, Sergeant Connell is sent back to the United States, but not before being promoted to lieutenant and receiving the Congressional Medal of Honor. While stateside, he meets a young woman named "Peggy Sandford" (Marilyn Devin), falls in love, and they later marry. However, although he is quite happy with married life, after learning that a close friend has been killed in action, his attitude changes, and things take a drastic turn for the worse. I won't reveal more, but I recall watching this movie when it first came out in the late 1960s, and it remains quite enjoyable today. Admittedly, partly because none of the cast members were considered top-tier during this time, the film has a B-movie feel to it, which is perhaps expected. Nonetheless, it's still a decent movie, and I've rated it accordingly.

Starting out an old school hunkered-in-the-trenches World War II action flick with heroic Chad Everett holding off approaching Japanese soldiers in an off-river jungle setting, FIRST TO FIGHT... produced and narrated by William Conrad with direction by Christian Nyby... makes an abrupt shift into a budding Stateside romance...

Progressively ignited between Everett's surviving and returning Sgt. Jack Connell and the lovely, classy and hard-to-get war bond touring chief Marilyn Devin; yet the best scenes have our true blue veteran competing with cocky cad Bobby Troup, who's not good enough to win this lady over...

She's been through the ringer with a dead husband from Pearl Harbor, and the inevitable, unforced chemistry between Everett and Devin is genuine... until, when becoming a drill sergeant at Camp Pendleton, reunited with former colonel Dean Jagger (with best friend James Best back in the jungle), Connell wants another mission, and as the saying goes... be careful what you wish for...

For true war movie fanatics the third act is the best when the jungle warrior gets cold feet on a Normandy Beach style invasion, and, while it's cringe-worthy experiencing the hero becoming a coward, scenes with non-famous Gene Hackman as a strong/silent sergeant make this FIGHT, in attempting three stories in one, sustain patriotic entertainment without being too corny or nostalgic.

It is 1942 Guadalcanal. The Marines are stranded with limited support and pounded by the Japanese. Sergeant "Shanghai" Jack Conell (Chad Everett) is the sole survivor of a Japanese attack and is rewarded with the Medal of Honor. Instead of going back into the fight, he is sent off on a tour around the country to sell War Bonds. He falls for Peggy Sandford (Marilyn Devin) who lost her previous beau to the war. He marries her, but she makes him promise not to go back into the war. He trains new recruits at Camp Pendleton. After his friend is killed, the war calls him.

First to Fight is a phrase describing the Marines' tendency to be the first ground forces entering the fight. For me, it is most compelling for Gene Hackman before his star making turn in Bonnie and Clyde. He's also a former Marine. The movie deals with a lot of personal struggle and goes through a lot of story in ninety minutes. This is an old fashion war film, but some subject matter is rather modern.

I saw this movie as a kid when it first came out in 1967. My father let me use his automobile to go to the local drive in theater to see this movie. I was quite impressed with it as a young lad and join the Marine Corps six months later. This movie has a lot of sentimental value for me. But, I'm a little confused as to why it cost so much at $49.00 and change on VHS. Can anyone give me some insight as to why this movie is so valuable? I want to purchase this movie but not at the current asking price.

Thanks

Claude W. Butler