For starters, am biased. Multiples of ways. A few years ago after an Army-Air Force football game, a bunch of ring knockers, West Pointers to us civilians, gathered at one of their comrade's house for post game revelry. Soon saw the ladies disappearing to other parts of the house while the men, perhaps 25 of them gathered in the TV room. The host put on The Long Gray Line. And quickly the chatter was about... just about all of them were there when the film was made. "Hey, there I am in....", "That's me.. I was able to meet Maureen O'Hara.." And deeper recollections. I don't remember who won the game. This was infinitely better, watching these men in their at the time late 70s, reminiscence. Why matter? Because they could have picked the flick apart for accuracy. They didn't. They saw it as whimsy, which the farther away they aged from their days at West Point, this is what happens. To a person they loved the movie. And they ALL knew Marty Maher. Of course they did. Switching to... my father was on the Howitzer, West Point yearbook. He graduated 5 years before the movie was filmed. He was a highly skilled photographer. We have a photographic portrait, negs and all, he took of Marty Maher. Exquisite photo. He'd never seen the movie. We watched it together recently. He characteristically picked a few nits but could tell his whimsy took over. Not just his personal, but the John Ford story telling. Why this review? Because it springs not just from those who attended WP, but from those who WERE there. A thumbs up for the John Ford storytelling and representations. Me, I loved the movie. If one knows a scintilla of the goings on of the academy, it resonates. If not no matter... it is after all Hollywood, Ford at his finest, and terrific star turns for Tyrone Power and Maureen O'Hara along with wonderful acting. Whimsy, about a place that has a tremendous amount to do with why we who live in the USA are here. For sure this movie schmaltzes it up.. for good reason. Marty Maher was, is iconic.
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