None But the Brave

None But the Brave is a sweeping war drama from 1965, directed by and starring none other than the legendary Frank Sinatra, flanked by a talented ensemble cast including Clint Walker and Tatsuya Mihashi. The movie, known for its unique internationalist approach, was an unusual Hollywood production for its time as it was co-produced with Toho Studios in Japan. Magnificently set in World War II's Pacific theater, the story beautifully captures the interplay of conflict, survival, and shared humanity existing on both sides of the war.

The plot of None But the Brave firmly anchors its narrative to a single geographical location - a deserted, seemingly idyllic Pacific island. The only inhabitants at the beginning of the movie are Japanese soldiers, under the command of Lieutenant Kuroki, played by Tatsuya Mihashi. They’ve been cut off from their command for months, knowing neither the development of the war nor the fate they would meet. Suddenly, their solitude is disrupted when an American airplane, led by Captain Dennis Bourke (Clint Walker), crashes on the island. But there's precious little time for conflict; survival against external threats becomes the condition that binds these sworn enemies.

Frank Sinatra takes on the role of Chief Pharmacist Mate Francis, a medical officer who is drawn into the ensuing drama on the island. Sinatra’s performance is notable for steering clear of larger-than-life heroism. Instead, he displays a humane, empathetic character thrown in the midst of war's senseless realities, making his portrayal deeply affecting. Clint Walker's Captain Bourke also adds depth to his depiction of a war leader, highlighting the leadership burden carried in such dire circumstances.

Tatsuya Mihashi's portrayal of Lieutenant Kuroki is laudable for bringing forth the complexity, humility, and resolve of an individual who must lead his men in an almost hopeless situation. Mihashi's character is treated with considerable depth; he isn't just an enemy officer but a human, much like Sinatra and Walker's characters, struggling to make sense of war's disruptive forces and keeping their humanity intact.

None But the Brave deals with profound themes of camaraderie, shared responsibility, and the idea that beneath the uniforms and national allegiances, soldiers on opposing sides of a conflict share a common humanity. While the premise is built around a war, the movie explores beyond the battlefield, delving into the deepest recesses of human nature and survival instincts, often blurring the line between friends and foes. The narrative does not shy away from displaying the brutalities of war, the gruesome environments, and the psychological traumas that come with it.

However, at its core, the film is about individuals dealing with the collective toll of war, rather than glorifying the spectacle of warfare. Sinatra's directorial take is compelling in this sense, focusing on the human aspect of the plot rather than on action sequences or typical wartime heroism. It is about men who are neither villains nor heroes in the traditional sense, but simple humans caught in the web of extraordinary circumstances. They are everyday men whose ordinary lives have been engulfed by a terrible war, a reality which Sinatra takes care to portray tactfully.

The film is also famed for its bi-lingual dialogue, splitting the script between English and Japanese, lending authenticity to the characters and their interactions. This was an unusual move for a Hollywood war film at the time, further emphasizing the film's internationalist approach.

None But the Brave is a war film that goes beyond the conventions of its genre. It promotes a powerful discourse on the shared human experience, transcending the boundaries of national affiliation and war-induced differences. The performances, especially those by Frank Sinatra, Clint Walker, and Tatsuya Mihashi, are indeed commendable, if not tear-jerking, and they amplify the narrative's emotional depth in the otherwise unforgiving backdrop of world war. With its thought-provoking narrative and robust performances, None But the Brave skillfully raises poignant questions about conflict, survival, and common humanity, making it a must-watch for war movie aficionados.