The Young Lions

(1958)

167 minutes

Drama / Epic / War

Directed by Edward Dmytryk

Cast:

Marlon Brando as Christian Diestl
Montgomery Clift as Noah Ackerman
Dean Martin as Michael Whiteacre
Barbara Rush as Margaret
Hope Lange as Hope
May Britt as Gretchen Hardenberg
Maximilian Schell as Captain Hardenberg
Parley Bear as Brandt

This film is about what will become of three young soldiers fighting in World War II. A German officer, Lt. Christian Diestl, is quickly disapproving more of the war. On the other hand, American GI, Noah Ackerman, who happens to be Jewish, undergoes discrimination in his field and tries to overcome the hardship. Michael Whiteacre begins the film as a guy lacking courage and hoping he does not have to fight in the war, yet changes his ways turning into a chivalrous soldier as the war continues.

Christian's predicament involves two women that he is attracted to. One is American and the other woman is French. He completes his obligation in the German Army, but after the war is finished, he discovers how he has lost everything. He still has his French girlfriend by his side though. Ackerman becomes friends with the hesitant Whiteacre, and starts a loving relationship with a woman by the name of Hope. She comes from New England, but her father is prejudiced against Jewish people. 

 

Watch The Young Lions trailer~