The Frogmen

John Chard

2015-02-12

⭐ 5.5

Frogs Abound In WWII. Directed by Lloyd Bacon and starring Richard Widmark, Dana Andrews, Gary Merrill, Jeffrey Hunter and Robert Wagner. Plot finds Widmark as a strict disciplinarian who takes command of the Navy Underwater Demolition Team and quickly upsets the men with his forceful ways. With the team building up to a crucial mission the question is if the men and commander can find an accord for the war effort? Like the men at the film’s heart, this is a sturdy war film that’s for those who don’t mind the focus being more on characterisations than action. The sets and construction of…

CinemaSerf

2023-04-02

⭐ 7

Richard Widmark is the new, hard-nosed, squandron commander "Lawrence" who takes charge of a specialist underwater diving team after the death - in action - of their previous boss. He is trying to make his presence felt and they - led by "Chief Flannigan" (Dana Andrews) are clear they want little to do with him. He changes their training regime, intensifies it, reinvigorates it - and makes it clear that he is now in charge. Gradually, some of the men realise that maybe he's not such a bad guy and Lloyd Bacon quickly sidelines the personality conflicts to turn out a series of action escapades a…