There are millions of square miles in Korea covered with rugged jagged peaks and layers of ice and snow. In this film entitled, " Fixed Bayonets " the story relates the thoughts and deeds of a select group of soldiers out of a larger division who act as a Rear Guard in such a desolate frozen environment. Anyone who has ever served in the military, can tell you, fighting with a massive army allows one to believe in eventual victory. However, when the force is reduced to a mere handful, as in this case, soldiers quickly become keenly aware of the certainty of death. Furthermore, a single soldier is duty bound to obey orders as they are perceived to be necessary for the survival of all. Indeed, warriors tend to minimize their fears when being led by competent Officers and leaders. Herein is the crux of our movie. Learning he is forth on a list of Platoon leaders, a young Corporal (Richard Basehart) dreads the possibility of Command. Advising him on the eventuality is an experienced veteran called Sgt. Rock. As the Platoon is slowly encroached on by Seasoned North Koreans, death in the ranks is inevitable and with each loss the worry of Corporal Denno becomes more acute. The movie is a soldier's tribute to the often forgotten Police Action, but one which is nevertheless a reminder of the terrible price America paid in the 1950s. Gene Evans, Paul Burke, Glenn Corbett, John Doucette and a very young James Dean are the cast of the film. ***

Made with a competent cast of B film actors, Fixed Bayonets is the story of a platoon of 48 men of whom very few survive as they cover the retreat of an American Division in Korea. One movie legend made a brief appearance here, but if you blink you'll miss James Dean as one of the soldiers.Richard Basehart is the lead here who's a corporal and quite worried that if the people above him don't make it the nine days they're asked to hold a strategic pass responsibility will pass to him. It maybe Basehart's best big screen role.Another actor making his personal best in his career is Gene Evans as the sergeant ranked right above Basehart. If I was in a war situation, Evans is the kind of sergeant I'd like to be in a foxhole with.Some of the usual war film stereotypes are here. But director Samuel Fuller, who knew a thing or two about combat, got great performances from his cast. No false heroics here, just guys stuck with a very dirty job covering a retreat after the Chinese Communists enter the Korean War.For war film fans, an absolute must.

Here is the OTHER of Sam Fuller's classic Korean War films - the other is "The Steel Helmet", arguably the better of the two - which now thanks to the miracle of DVD will get the wider audience, I pray, which it so richly deserves. The AMAZON site, of course, for this masterpiece has some nice comments, too, and you can get the DVD there at a good price. I recommend this one as the other one to veterans of combat infantry units, who aren't stuck in the "puppets and stew-meat" mentality of the puerile Steven Spielberg, who tries to blend "Combat!" TV episodes with Tom Savini makeup effects in "Saving PVT Ryan". RFuller's depth of characterization and his shades of meaning in his magnificent closeups are just a ten thousand yard stare better than 99% of the stuff that passes for 'war' movies. So, pretend you are a ten-year old boy, get Fuller's Korean War movies, and prepare to be shocked.

I saw this movie on the AMC movie channel, (cable). Had to be in 1997 or 98, I'm not that sure but I do know it was just before Saving Pvt. Ryan came out and AMC was playing all these war movies on Memorial day.I never saw this movie before so I started watching and from the first scene of the General jamming a big hunk of chew in his mouth I knew this would be a good movie.Well need-less to say it just got better. I only wish film makers today, or should I say movie exec's had the stones to make these kind of movies. No message, just a good story about men in combat doing the task that that job requires.A warriors story about warriors - Great job Sam.I was able to tape it too, so I have it to view anytime - what a treat.