Chef de patrouille

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.

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.

I've always had a warm spot in my heart for this "B" movie because I watched some of it being made and some scenes were shot immediately in front of the quonset hut in which I lived at that time, at the Second Infantry Training Regiment, San Onofre area, Camp Pendleton, where I was stationed in the training section. It was pretty neat to watch and is the only movie I've ever seen "made" and I had the pleasure of driving Chad Everett and Dean Jagger around in a Jeep for two or three days. (Some other lucky Marine got to drive the heroine!) I got Chad Everett's autograph, but way back then he wasn't as famous as he would be later.

The movie itself is pretty good - but I'm favorably prejudiced toward any USMC movie!

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

A B-Movie at best, but when you're in it changes everything. M1 rifles on Guadalcanal? Japanese soldiers with rubber bayonets. Several modern day vehicles in the background at various points. But hey! It did honor a real life Marine hero.. Manila John Basilone.

In August 1966, I was 19 years old, had just graduated Recruit Training at MCRD San Diego and had relocated to Camp Pendleton for Infantry Training Regiment.

Reveille went 30 minutes early for us one day... 0500 instead of 0530. Once we were in formation, we were double-timed (shuffle run) 5 miles to a location none of us had ever been to before. It was the location of the current day's shooting of The First to Fight.

In one scene, they took two of our platoons and put us behind a platoon of actors on the side of a hill with a path running down it. When they yelled action, the actors were to run down the path and turn left. We were to run down the path and turn right. As we waited, one of the film's crew came up through the platoon of actors spraying water on them that was supposed to make them look sweaty. After he finished when them he came to us, took one look and said I don't think you fellas need this. Having run 5 miles to get to the "lot" he was right. Unfortunately, that scene was left on the cutting room floor.

The scene we were in that made the final cut occurs about 50 or so minutes into the film. Chad Everett is mad as his men for not picking up on instruction and is berating them. Our 4 platoon company is marching around in rectangles in the background making it appear there were a lot more Marines present than were actually present.

I've always wanted to ask Gene Hackman if he remembers the movie we made together. I'm sure that would draw a quizzical look. He'd certainly have no idea who I was... but it's one of my favorite memories and favorite stories to tell... but a pretty crappy movie when you get right down to it.