Actors: Frank Silvera, Kenneth Harp, Paul Mazursky
Review Summary and Plot Commentary about Fear and Desire (1953)
After a plane ride gone wrong, Lt. Mac and his men Private Fletcher and Sidney got out of their plane unharmed after the plane was shot down. They find themselves in a unidentified country and only several inches away behind enemy lines after seeing a German General's plane landed nearby. Sgt. Mac comes up with a plan for him and his men to escape. They discovered a river and start building a raft so they can make their way out of the unknown land.
Now extra guarded and making sure they are unseen by any of their rivals, the three men spots a small house with two officers inside eating. Growing hungry, the men sneaks unto the two officers and attacks them yet making sure there is no use of a gun so that no enemies hears the sound and tries to hunt them down. Determimed to escape the dangerous area, they takes on anyone that seem to be a threat, including a woman who stumbles across the men, having no clue who the men are. Sgt. Mac ordered his men to tie the lady up against a tree while making sure Sidney guard the lady so she won't run, scream or tell anyone. Sidney makes several attempts to get on the woman friendly side, including making silly imitation of the general to make her laugh, which she did not.
Trusting her, he untied the woman to make her comfortable but she escapes and Sidney shoots the lady. Now scared about what he'd done, he catches up with the rest of the crew and the four comes up with the idea to build another raft; except for one problem. Dozens of enemies is nearby including General Corby. It is a do or die situation for them all. So the question is, will they stay and try to survive for the rest of the lives in the new land without being noticed or is brave enough to take on every man they'd encounter and risk losing their lives?
--Alicia M., Resident Scholar
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Analysis of Fear and Desire (1953)
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Composition of Movie Actual chase scenes or violence - 30% Planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 50% Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 20%
Time/Era of Movie:
- 1930's-1950's
War Thriller
Yes
Armed Forces:
- Army
Specific to
- WW II
War story:
- escaping behind enemy lines
Main Character
Identity:
- Male
Profession/status:
- military pilot
Age:
- 40's-50's
Is this an ordinary person caught up in events?
Yes
Hair color?
- brunette (Black)
Hair style
- short/standard curly (man)
Body type
- average (man)
Events of movie makes character more...
- tougher
Ethnicity/Nationality
- Black
How sensitive is this character?
- sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Secondary Main Character
Identity:
- Male
Hair color
- brunette (Black)
Hair style
- (man) short/standard straight
Body type
- average build (man)
How much in movie?
- 90%-100%
Ethnicity/Nationality
- White (American)
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Male
Age:
- 20's-30's
Profession/status:
- infantry soldier
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- 60%
Hair color
- brunette (Black)
Hair type
- (man) short/standard straight
Body type
- average (man)
Ethnicity/Nationality
- White (American)
How sensitive is this character?
- hard edged
Setting
Europe
Yes
European country:
- Germany
Misc setting
- fort/military installation
Style
Accounts of torture and death?
- moderately messy visuals of dead
Movie makes you feel...
- all mixed up
How many deaths in film?
- dozens
How much use of techno gadgets?
- 5 (an average amount)
Kind of violence:
- guns
Any profanity?
- None
