4. The Big Red One
Theatrical: 113 minutesExtended: 156 minutes The Big Red One, in tackling the legend of the U.S. First Infantry Division, gives an idea of just how insane war can be. Inspired by director Samuel Fuller's own experiences, his movie feels like a collection of absurdist WWII anecdotes; so there's a scene featuring Moroccan cavalry taking the ears of dead German soldiers for profit; there's the sudden execution of a Nazi spy happily eating steak at a table full of Allies; there's a deadly sniper hiding out in a hulking German castle, one that turns out to be a small child. None of those moments feature in the 113-minute version, after a jumpy studio gutted The Big Red One for theatrical audiences, confusing the narrative and draining the film of its epic sweep. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pLq-7ih4WE Richard Schickel's 156-minute Restored version - assembled using Fuller's original shooting script - emphasises the dark comedy, fleshes out ol' granite head Lee Marvin's cocky rifle squad and does a lot to hide the fact that Fuller wasn't working with a large budget on his 'personal' project. The story simply demands the length. Like Fuller did, The Big Red One's tight group of fighters go from Northern Africa, to Sicily, ending in a Czech concentration camp via D-Day and, eventually, the Battle of the Bulge. For such historical campaigns, a lengthier cut is just more appropriate. You also get more of the irreplaceable Lee Marvin growling out probably his best performance, and Mark 'Luke Skywalker' Hamill baring surprising soul as a cowardly sharpshooter.