Edgar Allan Pooh
. . . for a story in which six members of the featured nine-man crew get killed, including the youngest guy (whom the others had promised to safeguard for sure). It's as if Private Ryan WASN'T saved. Though the recent Brad Pitt vehicle FURY had an even higher attrition rate, its scriptwriters knew enough to spare the new guy. But most of DESPERATE JOURNEY has the feel of an extended episode of the 1960s TV Sit-Com, HOGAN'S HEROES (with Col. Klink and Sgt. Schultze getting gunned down at the end). Though there's a chick along for the ride during a minute or two of the JOURNEY, she's mere window dressing. This Warner Bros. flick recycles the ROARING TWENTIES' warehouse for confiscated Bootlegger booty (where Humphrey Bogart's character did in his old WWI sergeant) as a German bomb factory. After all, these guys made BULLETS OR BALLOTS, so why not BOOZE OR BOMBS?
Jeff (actionrating.com)
See it - This is an oldie but a goodie. This movie is hard to find, so if you run across it be sure to snatch it up. The main characters, played by Errol Flynn and Ronald Reagan (that's right, the prez), are shot down over Germany during a bombing run. Disguising themselves as German soldiers, they then begin the long road back to England on foot. The boys decide to engage in a little constructive destruction along the way. At one point, Flynn says "Gents, I have a suggestion to make; how about a spot of sabotage." Haha, I love it. It doesn't get any better than this. It's more than just a light-hearted romp about good guys getting chased across the rooftops by a Nazi with a monocle and a Doberman. It's a desperate journey. 5 out of 5 action rating
John T. Ryan
WITH the United States' entrance into World War II after the attack on Pearl Harbor by Imperial Japanese forces, December 7, 1941; the gloves were off in Hollywood. No more would they have to tap dance around the War issues, make up any generic names for any agents of some "unnamed" European power nor feign neutrality with regards to their own sympathies, nor our Nation's. From then on, it was strictly double-barreled, full speed ahead and take no prisoners! WE'RE fairly certain that even though this had a September 1942 release, it had been planned and done most of its shooting before the entry of the U.S. into the conflict; as the storyline involved a bomber crew in the RAF (that's the Royal Air Force, Schultz!). The Flight Commander, Lt. Terry Forbes (Errol Flynn) was an Australian (or was it New Zealand-oh, hell, it was "Down Under" in any case!). Flying Officer Jed Forrest (Arthur Kennedy) was a Canadian, the others including Flight Sgt. Kirk Edwards (Alan Hale) were all Brits of basically the Working Class. Flying Officer Johnny Hammond (Dutch, himself, Ronald Reagan) was a wise cracking, go-getter of a Yank. (God, they talk about Politically Incorrect Stereotypes today!) AS a whole, the crew represented a World, not simply a Nation, which wouldn't and couldn't have any true peace and freedom as long as such evil as the Axis Powers were loose and undefeated. The others were all Brits or at least members of nations which were formerly part of the British Empire, now called the British Commonwealth of Nations; except for Johnny Hammond (Dutch). As an American, a "Yank", his character as well as his cocky, self-assured and unpretentious attitudes were very important and symbolic in the story. In short, Studio Honcho, Mr. Jack Warner was asking America just how could we remain neutral in the Global Conflict? OUR STORY………………Following an air raid over a German industrial city, the RAF Bomber of the Flynn & Company's Crew is shot down. Not to be sold short, this band of Anglo-American RAF Airmen travels across Germany from the East to the Western part, traveling by night, masquerading in Nazi Uniforms and pulling off many guerrilla missions of behind the lines sabotage.OH sure, they ere captured by the Nazis and interrogated by Major Otto Baumeister (Raymond Massey); but no matter, they managed an escape due to Hammond's (President Reagan) expertise in double talk , as well as a great left hook. And once free and impersonating the 'Krauts' in uniform, they manage to stow away on board a train. But, do they get into just any passenger train car? No, of course they don't. They wind up traveling in the private car of Deputy Fuehrer Herman Goering; being explained as being out of commission and sort of "dry-docked" for repairs and refurbishing.ONLY three of the crew get out of the Third Reich safely and alive. Messers Flynn, Reagan and Kennedy were the successful ones who lived to tell about it, though all of the crewmen were heroic and highly successful.TRAGEDY such as the loss of friend or family member is handled in the standard method of the day. In short a death is announced and, whatever the circumstance , it is dealt with quickly and the other characters move on; just as we have to do during such trying times.THE overall effect of the film and the style of the story is very similar to that of a superhero comic book. And what's more, we have always felt there was a strong resemblance of DESPERATE JOURNEY to the Blackhawk Comic Book Feature; which had its origin in Wartime England with a special group of multi nationals made up their own squadron. The leader, an American, was known as Blackhawk and had a right hand man, Chuck; also a Yankee.IT has always seemed that, perhaps, DESPERATE JOURNEY provided inspiration for comic book creators Will Eisner, Reed Crandall, Lou Fine and company in creating the Military and War based feature. But, Blackhawk bowed in Quality Comics' MILITARY COMICS No 1, dated August, 1941. This was over a year before the release of DESPERATE JOURNEY; ergo, the film could not have been a factor in the story. But, could it have been the other way around? Was Blackhawk an inspiration for this film? IT is food for thought.THIS surely must rank as one of Hollywood's top Wartime Home Front Propaganda movie. The plot line has enough romanticized action scenes to generate excitement with the younger crowd; but never goes overboard as to render the film down to the level of "B" Movie or relegating it to the Saturday Afternoon Matinée. There is plenty of counter-balancing and sobering occurrences chronicled to remind us that the War is truly H-E- DOUBLE HOCKEY STICKS. (That's HELL, Schultz!)
armsincrisis
When the mission begins and the crew is ready to take off, the captain says, "Start port outboard engine" (this would be the left side of the plane farthest away from the fuselage). Yet the camera flips to the inboard starboard side and the engine starts followed by the other engines.The movie is a bit of a feel-good movie but it's also fun. Alan Hale Sr. (father of the "Skipper" on TV series "Gilligan's Island") often plays comic relief (e.g. with Mr. Flynn in "Robin Hood") and he does it well. Lots of quick one-liners you will enjoy.There's a lot of German language without subtitles but the even though I don't know German it doesn't hurt the plot. In fact, the meaning is fairly obvious even if you don't know German and gives a better feel to the idea of being in a foreign country during war.
