Red, White, and Zero
Red, White, and Zero

Red, White, and Zero

1968Movie98 minEnglish

Composed of three shorts – Ride of the Valkyrie, The White Bus, and Red and Blue – from three of Britain’s most-celebrated directors - Lindsay Anderson, Peter Brook, and Tony Richardson. Comic legend Zero Mostel stars as an opera singer (in full costume) navigating the London transport network as he attempts to reach Covent Garden in 'Ride of the Valkyrie'. Scripted by Shelagh Delaney, 'The White Bus' blends realism, drama, and poetry as a despondent young woman travels home to the North of England. And Vanessa Redgrave stars in Tony Richardson’s romantic reverie and musical featurette 'Red and Blue'. Produced in 1967, but ultimately shelved.

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Insights

IMDb7.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes65%
Metacritic62/100
Google Users85%
Director: John BoormanGenres: Drama, War

Plot Summary

Set during World War II, the film follows Sergeant Major "Mountie" Nowak, a tough American soldier stationed in Italy. He forms an unlikely bond with a young Italian orphan and becomes embroiled in a conflict with a corrupt local official. Nowak must navigate the harsh realities of war and protect the boy from exploitation, all while dealing with his own demons.

Critical Reception

Upon its release, 'Red, White, and Zero' received a mixed to positive reception from critics. While some lauded its gritty realism and strong performances, particularly from Lee Marvin, others found its narrative occasionally uneven. Audiences generally responded well to the film's emotional core and its depiction of the human cost of war.

What Reviewers Say

  • Lee Marvin delivers a powerful and nuanced performance as the hardened soldier.
  • The film effectively portrays the grim realities of war and its impact on civilians.
  • While emotionally resonant, some critics noted pacing issues in the middle act.

Google audience: Viewers frequently praised Lee Marvin's commanding presence and the film's moving portrayal of the bond between the soldier and the orphan. Some found the story compelling and thought-provoking, though a minority felt certain plot points could have been developed further.

Fun Fact

The film was originally intended to be a much larger production with a different cast, but was significantly scaled down due to budget constraints and scheduling conflicts.

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