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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.

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.

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.

After seeing this and being familiar with the series, The Pacific, it seems this is a fictional and weaker version of the real story of Sgt. John Basilone.

Nevertheless, this is a decent film and does convey some of the hell our men went through in the early stage of the war over there.

The Pacific portrayed it all much better.

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.