Karry Best movie of this year hands down!

Micitype Pretty Good

Noutions Good movie, but best of all time? Hardly . . .

Jonah Abbott There's no way I can possibly love it entirely but I just think its ridiculously bad, but enjoyable at the same time.

classicsoncall Based on some of the other reviews on this board, I'd have to say it's a good thing there's a Turner Classics Movie Channel out there. I had never heard of this Paul Newman starring vehicle before either. Once under way, the story of Captain Edward Hall Jr. becomes a compelling drama, as the courtroom scenes reveal the nuanced complexity in determining what constitutes 'collaboration with the enemy'. In an even handed way, the film allows the prosecuting and defense attorneys both build convincing arguments that make it difficult for the viewer to determine how the story will end. I have to say, I felt exactly the same as Lt. Col Wasnick (Edmond O'Brien) did when Captain Hall admitted that he may not have reached the breaking point while prisoner. Suddenly, the tension is drained from Hall's ordeal, and there's an acknowledgment and acceptance of a guilty verdict even before the decision is announced.Though others find Newman's scene in the car with the father (Walter Pidgeon) of his character to be emotionally charged, my own favorite scene was the brilliant opening argument by Edmond O'Brien in defense of his client. Now that I think about it, I'm intrigued by how highly competent both opposing attorneys were in their respective arguments, leading me to consider how successful they might have been if O'Brien and Wendell Corey were cast in each other's role. Would Wasnick have used the same argument to determine Hall's 'breaking point' if he were on the other side? Quite interesting to consider.One odd observation, and I don't know why this bothers me but it does. Remember the scene when Captain Hall asks for a glass of water while on the stand? Prosecuting attorney Sam Moulton (Corey) hands him the glass, and when Hall is finished taking a sip, hands it back to Moulton. Moulton then refills it and drinks from the same glass! Why?And finally, getting back to my original point about TMC. If I didn't watch Turner Classics so regularly, I would never have known the name of the movie the rehabilitating soldiers were watching in the military hospital. That was Debbie Reynolds on screen in a scene from 1953's "The Affairs of Dobie Gillis".

Michael_Elliott Rack, The (1956) *** (out of 4) Paul Newman, in his third film, plays Korean War vet who was a POW for three years. When he returns home he's brought up on treason charges and faces a court marshall. This film is based on a Rod Serling teleplay so the material makes for a good movie, although in the end I'm not sure what type of message it's sending out. The POW was tortured, not physically but mentally, and the film takes a look at this and what one's breaking point is. A lot of questions about loyalty to your country is brought up during the court scenes but some might be confused by what the ending tries to say or the complete turn around that seems to happen half way through the film. There's also the added plot of Newman's character not being able to connect with his hard boiled father (Walter Pidgeon) and connecting to his dead brother's girlfriend (Ann Francis). The film's screenplay has a lot of great sequences in it but it never really becomes clear on what it's trying to say. Is the film trying to claim that everyone has a breaking point? Is it trying to say that everyone should reach a breaking point but keep going for your country? The film seems to want to have its cake and eat it too as both sides are given credit yet neither takes the stage over the other. What works the best here are the performances with Newman stealing the film with his passionate character. The torture Newman displays is very striking and wonderfully done, which is rather amazing considering this was only his third film. Pidgeon has some equally impressive scenes as does Cloris Leachman. Lee Marvin, playing a tortured vet, also comes across very good in his few scenes. Wendell Corey and Edmond O'Brien are also very good. While the film's message might be someone confusing the film still works as a nice drama with plenty of good performances.

wes-connors Paul Newman (as Captain Edward W. Hall Jr.) returns home from the Korean War, on a stretcher, after being held in an enemy prison camp. At first, Mr. Newman is treated as a recovering war hero. After evidence surfaces to reveal he collaborated with the enemy, Wendell Corey (as Major Sam Moulton) serves Newman with court-martial papers. This doesn't sit well with military-minded father Walter Pidgeon (as Colonel Edward W. Hall Sr.). Newman's widowed sister-in-law, Anne Francis (as Aggie Hall) is more understanding...A re-make of the Rod Serling's television version "The Rack" (1955), with Mr. Corey reprising his thankless prosecutorial role; this is a very well-acted, thought-provoking drama. It is also one of Newman's best early feature film performances. Smaller parts, like those essayed by Cloris Leachman (as Caroline) and James Best (as Cassidy), provide an added incentive to watch. However, the ending, whatever the filmmakers' intentions, is not very well-handled.****** The Rack (11/2/56) Arnold Laven ~ Paul Newman, Walter Pidgeon, Wendell Corey, Anne Francis

suzykeen I have to agree this is one of Pauls best movies and it never seems to come up when he is mentioned, the cast is also terriffic. I am sorry it has gone so unnoticed I can only think that it may have been set about the Korean War and that doesnt seem to get much attention.. I thought the acting was sincere and I was draw to this character that seemed to feel he lost his way by being human..