Fighting 69th

Available separately or as part of the James Cagney Signature Collection, The Fighting 69th has been given the red-carpet treatment by Warner Bros., with a bevy of "Warner Night at the Movies" DVD bonus features from 1940, including a vintage newsreel, short subjects, two cartoons (including "The Fighting 69 th"), movie trailers and an audio-only radio adaptation of The Fighting 69th starring Pat O'Brien, Robert Preston and Ralph Bellamy. With all this stuff on one DVD, what's not to like? --Jeff Shannon

This pre-WWII flag waver features Jimmy Cagney as a wise-cracking, tough guy who breaks under the strain of combat; George Brent who rather woodenly plays the role of real life Medal of Honor winner Major "Wild Bill" Donavan; and Pat O'Brien as the famous Father Duffy whose statue now stands in Times Square. The story is pretty predictable with Cagney the coward finding his courage by returning to his faith thanks to the encouragement of Father Duffy.

What keeps this movie from completly sinking under the weight of patriotic cheerleading are Cagney's and O'Brien's performances and the rather realistic battle scenes. Cagney plays his trademark city tough guy character who is as quick with a joke as he is with his fists. Pat O'Brien plays his usual, stoical father-figure role. The combination of Cagney's hyper-energy acting and O'Brien's cool detachness always made for great on-screen chemistry, and "The Fighting 69th" is no exception. Also the battle scenes were quite good for their time. Some of the horrors of WWI are well detailed especially the reality of being buried alive in "bomb-proof" dugout. This movie, though, was made to inspire national pride as the clouds of war threatened to overtake America; thus the film never truly loses its sort of "rah-rah" approach to combat. "All Quiet on the Western Front" it is not.


The Irish In Them   August 19, 2000
James L. (Toronto, Canada)
7 out of 11 found this review helpful

It's not hard to figure out what the purpose of this film was once the final credits roll. Produced prior to America's entry into World War II, this movie was designed to rally everyone around the flag with its heavy doses of bravado and pride. For today's audience, it's laid on a little thick, but despite that, the movie still entertains. It's the story of the famed Irish American unit that fought during WWI. James Cagney plays another flawed tough guy who is all talk and little action (other than running away) once the fighting begins. Pat O'Brien plays another noble priest that always knows the right thing to say. George Brent plays another boring character (or should I say, boringly plays another character?). The rest of the cast is populated by a who's who of Warner Brothers' character actors that have faces you'll recognize, if not their names: Frank McHugh, Alan Hale, Dennis Morgan, Jeffrey Lynn, and Dick Foran. The battle scenes are well staged, and at 90 minutes long, it's tightly edited. The Irish must have been very pleased by and proud of this film, for it portrays the bravery and honour of the regiment. There's nothing new here, but like most of Warner Brothers' war movies, it succeeds in its purpose.


Excellent DVD release from the Warner Bros vault   October 2, 2007
Penumbra (Atlanta, GA USA)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

Warner Brothers does their usual excellent job with the DVD release of "The Fighting 69th." This is a beautifully restored print in glorious black and white.

The special features package contains "Warner Night at the Movies," consisting of a theatrical trailer ("Brother Orchid"), a newsreel ("Fleet Sails for Secret War Tests"), an Academy Award nominated short film about Londoners coping with the Blitz ("London Can Take It" ), a short about civil aviation pilot training programs ("Young America Flies"), and a B&W cartoon set on the Mayflower ("Pilgrim Porky"). Additional bonus material includes a color Merrie Melody cartoon, "The Fighting 69 1/2th," a 1949 Lux Radio Theater audio adaptation of "The Fighting 69th," and the theatrical trailer for "The Fighting 69th."

This is a stirring, sentimental, and patriotic film released in 1940 before American entered WWII. James Cagney and Pat O'Brien were outstanding actors, with great chemistry in the nine films they made together. The excellent supporting cast includes Alan Hale and Dennis Morgan.

The story revolves around the 165th US Infantry, which had previously been known as the 69th New York, an outfit composed mostly of Irish immigrants and several generations of their native born sons. In grand Hollywood tradition, everyone speaks with a brogue, fist fights break out with abandon, and references to shillelaghs, banshees and blarney are plentiful.

Jerry Plunket (Cagney), a tough mug from Brooklyn enlists so he can come home with a chest full of medals and be a big shot. He brags, cracks wise, and struts his way through boot camp, endearing himself to no one. But when he comes under fire, Plunket discovers he isn't as brave as he thought he was going to be. Instead of honor and glory, he finds himself facing execution by firing squad for desertion.

Real life heroes of the regiment are also portrayed in the movie - Sergeant Joyce Kilmer, soldier poet, is in the outfit; Father Francis J. Duffy (O'Brien), who's statue stands in Times Square; and Major "Wild Bill" Donovan (George Brent), Medal of Honor winner, who later became the head of the OSS.

About the only thing missing from this package is a commentary track, but what more really needs to be said? The movie speaks for itself.

Highly recommended.


Faith and action   March 18, 2007
Stratiotes Doxha Theon (Richmond, Missouri)
5 out of 6 found this review helpful

In this classic, faith and action yield redemption for lost causes and several familiar names in history come to life. The acting is superb and the plot carries a good blend of action and drama. Cagney plays the quintessential tough-guy exterior stretched thin over the coward underneath who finally finds redemption outside himself. Pat O'Brien as Father Duffy was perfectly cast and gives humanity and depth to the character. George Brent is also perfectly cast as "Wild Bill" Donovan and provides a memorable performance. Very well done and one to enjoy often.