Movie spotlight
Two military men, Captain Flagg and Sergeant Quirt, who are rivals to begin with, grow more at odds with each other when Quirt is made Flagg's top sergeant. And when a local beauty comes between them, their rivalry escalates even further. But when they discover that the woman has marriage in mind, they now compete to try to avoid marching down the aisle - that is, until they are called upon to march into battle.
Set during World War I, the film follows the exploits of a tough, cigar-chomping U.S. Marine captain, Flagg, and his long-suffering first sergeant, Quirt. Their rivalry, especially over the affections of a French nurse named Nicole, is as intense as their battles against the Germans. Amidst the chaos and camaraderie of war, their professional duties and personal desires often collide.
What Price Glory was a commercial success and generally well-received by critics, praised for its robust performances, particularly from James Cagney, and John Ford's signature direction. While acknowledging its adherence to some war film tropes, reviewers appreciated its blend of humor, drama, and character-driven conflict.
James Cagney's performance as the gruff Captain Flagg is a standout.
John Ford effectively balances action, comedy, and romance.
The film offers a gritty, yet often humorous, portrayal of soldiers during WWI.
Google audience: Audience reception information is not readily available.
The film was controversial upon release for its portrayal of soldiers using colorful language and its emphasis on the personal lives and rivalries of the soldiers, which was somewhat unusual for war films of the era.
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"Capt. Flagg" (James Cagney) leads a squadron of American marines in France towards the end of the Great War and is unexpectedly reunited with his rival in just about everything, "Sgt. Quirt" (Dan Dailey). Despite their differences in rank,...