Advance to the Rear
As punishment for their incompetence in battle, disgraced Union soldier Capt. Jared Heath and his apathetic commanding officer, Col. Claude Brackenbury, are reassigned away from the front lines. The hapless Heath and Brackenbury must now lead a ragtag group on a classified mission to protect a transport for the U.S. Treasury. Complicating matters is Martha Lou Williams, a Confederate agent posing as a lady of the evening.
Insights
Plot Summary
During the Civil War, a cowardly Union Army scout is promoted to captain and put in charge of a regiment of misfits after he's mistakenly believed to have captured a Confederate spy. He must then lead his unlikely troops into battle, facing both the enemy and his own fear of incompetence. The film blends slapstick humor with a lighthearted take on military life and the absurdities of war.
Critical Reception
Advance to the Rear was met with mixed reviews from critics, who found its comedic approach to the Civil War somewhat uneven. While some appreciated its lightheartedness and the performances of its lead actors, others felt the humor didn't always land and that the film lacked depth. Audiences generally found it to be an entertaining, if forgettable, comedy Western.
What Reviewers Say
- Praised for its lighthearted and humorous take on a Civil War setting.
- Glenn Ford's performance as the reluctant hero was a notable highlight.
- Some critics found the blend of comedy and war elements to be occasionally jarring.
Google audience: N/A
Fun Fact
The film was originally titled 'The Civil War Canteen' before being changed to 'Advance to the Rear'.
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