1957 Directed by Karl Malden
Military investigator Colonel Edwards is assigned a case involving Major Cargill, a Korean War POW who is accused of treason. Although Cargill admits his guilt and Edwards' superiors are impatiently pushing Edwards to move this case to court martial, Edwards becomes convinced of Cargill's innocence.
La chute des héros, Wenn Männer zerbrechen
Exceptional military court drama about a suspicious case of a former POW major defecting to the Korean enemy, that's respectful but equally suspicious of the zealotry of self-righteous militarism, looking beyond the strictness of their code to re-examine a wrongly perceived act of cut and dry treachery as one of self-sacrificing heroism.
It's an investigation that effectively communicates ideas, which rather than generating the film's power, activate it. The film's resonance derives less from the conclusions it wants us to think about than the emotions it forces us to feel, just as these returning survivors are forced to recall their traumatic experiences in probing detail to ascertain the facts of the case, triggering an unwelcome, immersive overload of the senses…
The best part about this Karl Malden military drama (his only directorial credit) is how it baits both Communism and American Military, in a taut and captivating fashion. Released at the height of the Red Scare, the engaging story is catapulted by its terrific leads - Richard Widmark (in one of his best roles) and Richard Basehart - who are more than convincing in their roles as US Army men who defend their ideals and principles, without compromising on jingoism.
Made as anti-communism was still at a frenzy, this kind of called on its audience to step back a bit and think more. Though it's still pretty anti-communist, the point seems more aimed at taking on McCarthyism at home than our perceived communist enemies abroad. Richard Widmark, as a colonel assigned to decide whether to recommend an army major played by Richard Basehart for court martial for treason in what appears to be an easy case to prove, probes into it enough to reveal the darkness at the center. It features Basehart, Widmark, and Rip Torn as a lieutenant who was also in the POW camp with Basehart in some incredible scenes of dialog that some of these 50s films…
This is such a lovely Richard Widmark performance - he's a grouch with a gooey heart that gums up the cogs of a ruthlessly efficient military machine and forces some humanity in. Besides a very dark extended flashback set in a POW camp, the movie is largely confined to Widmark's office, but Henry Denker's screenplay builds the tension so thoughtfully, and Widmark and the supporting cast are on such good form, that it never gets boring.
Both narratively and tonally it's intriguingly similar to the underrated Paul Newman movie The Rack, which was released the year before - almost a Volcano/Dante's Peak situation!
The only film directed by Oscar-winning actor Karl Malden (A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE), TIME LIMIT is also the first film produced by Richard Widmark, who again dons military garb to play the starring role of an Army investigator deciding whether to prosecute a G.I. for treason. Richard Basehart (MOBY DICK) is under the gun as the accused, who admits to collaborating with the enemy while incarcerated in a Korean War prisoner-of-war camp. Widmark’s superiors, personified by Carl Benton Reid’s (PORK CHOP HILL) general, want the open-and-shut case wrapped up right now, but Widmark is bothered by Basehart’s refusal to tell his side of the story.
Though based on a play by Henry Denker and Ralph Berkey and mostly set indoors,…
Richard Widmark performs up to his usual high standard as a US Army Colonel who is simply not convinced he is getting the whole story out of an inquiry he is conducting about events that took place in a POW camp in Korea. Rip Torn is a good fit as Miller, a troubled young Lieutenant whose nerves are brittle. There is a nice small role for Martin Balsam as a Sargeant who is an efficient but seemingly put upon office manager. Khigh Dhiegh's role as the camp commandant is likely what secured his future role in THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE (1962).
Be patient, there is an incredible payoff in the last half hour after a long build up in the first hour. I love that Karl Malden picked some of my favorite actors for his sole directing effort - Richard Basehart, who is fantastic, Martin Balsam, Richard Widmark. Everyone is terrific.
A very interesting POW-thriller-drama and the only film directed by Karl Malden. A solid effort all around, Richard Widmark and Richard Basehart are truly great. Not a masterpiece, but certainly a heavily underrated and little-known film that deserves to be seen. An insightful and relevant flick, no question.
Wow, what a nail-biter! Karl Malden’s lone directorial feature is tremendous, and the entire cast is at the absolute top of their game.
Written for the stage and it feels that way, but the performances are strong across the board.
What a superb film that I had no idea Karl Malden had directed and Richard Widmark, produced. Tense, intense, and filled with brilliant performances particularly by Richard Basehart, Widmark and Rip Torn. It builds up to quite a climax and there is more to read into its final scenes. Moving and thought-provoking. It deserves more attention.
