Many fans will remember, The Great Escape, The Magnificent Seven, Bullitt (who could forget the car chase), and yes, The Blob, likewise many will remember the Honeymooners, or Requiem for A Heavyweight, and yes, Smoky and the Bandit. But few probably remember Soldier in the Rain a much underrated film starring both Steve McQueen and Jackie Gleason, in a story about friendship, loyalty and love.
The first time I saw the film it was in the early 80’s during an A&E broadcast, and even then it was a partial viewing, as I had started watching from the middle of the film. But I was so moved by the story that I had to rent the film and watch it from beginning to end. And what I discovered was a film that to this day remains on my top 15 list of all-time favorite films. The movie does not have a huge budget, there are no explosions or gun battles (there is a very realistic fist fight in a bar), but there are two men (McQueen and Gleason), who are at the top of their game in creating characters who are three dimensional. McQueen’s character is egotistical yet ‘ambitious’ while Gleason’s MSgt. Maxwell Slaughter is comfortable in his position in life and insecure with women (his scenes with Tuesday Weld are memorable) , but together they make a wonderful team in a story that plays both men against type (although Gleason did play against type in Gigot).
For those who have not seen the film I will not reveal much more, but will only say that if you have never seen the film, please give it a look, and if you have seen it, maybe you wanna pop it in your machine again. But for me, it will always remain a favorite and one I will watch again and again…’Until That Time…’
The first time I saw the film it was in the early 80’s during an A&E broadcast, and even then it was a partial viewing, as I had started watching from the middle of the film. But I was so moved by the story that I had to rent the film and watch it from beginning to end. And what I discovered was a film that to this day remains on my top 15 list of all-time favorite films. The movie does not have a huge budget, there are no explosions or gun battles (there is a very realistic fist fight in a bar), but there are two men (McQueen and Gleason), who are at the top of their game in creating characters who are three dimensional. McQueen’s character is egotistical yet ‘ambitious’ while Gleason’s MSgt. Maxwell Slaughter is comfortable in his position in life and insecure with women (his scenes with Tuesday Weld are memorable) , but together they make a wonderful team in a story that plays both men against type (although Gleason did play against type in Gigot).
For those who have not seen the film I will not reveal much more, but will only say that if you have never seen the film, please give it a look, and if you have seen it, maybe you wanna pop it in your machine again. But for me, it will always remain a favorite and one I will watch again and again…’Until That Time…’
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