mbryant59
One of those movies that lets the viewer try and figure out what really is going on without making things obvious throughout - so many angles to take, so many characters to believe as to which one is telling the truth or not. Many great lines - pulled out a piece of paper and pen to write some down. I thought Martin Balsam was perfect as the the staff NCO who seemed a little over the top (not for his acting) - but for what NCO's are (and are not) allowed to get away with in real life :-)A young June Lockhart (Later on TV's Lost in Space show) plays the wife of the main character. Rip Torn also gives a fine performance as one of the prisoners. Movie really opens up a lot of good discussions on what real truth and what it is not - when it's just information that suits ourselves. Good movie - one of those ones I did not plan watching.
thinker1691
Across the frigid nightmare that is the Korean War, there are a thousand nameless graves over which a like amount of ghosts hover. Those haunting's are what drive American writers to pen as many stories onto the pages of that Forgotten War. One of those superb writers is Henry Denker who wrote this story called " Time Limit. " It takes place in one of the many American Army units captured and imprisoned in a P.O.W. camps by the North Koreans. This central story is about one, Major Harry Cargill (Richard Basehart) who having survived the war is now arrested and faces General Court martial and death by firing squad. To see Cargill is given every opportunity to defend himself, Gen. J. Connors (Carl Reid) assigns Col. William Edwards (Richard Widmark) who takes his job seriously. Two surprises hamper Edwards. One, Cargill wants to plead guilty and offers no defense at his trial. Most of the men who come forward to testify agree as to his guilt and find no reason to stop the execution. With the great actor, Karl Malden directing this film and casting such heavies such as Martin Balsam, Rip Torn, Yale Wexler and June Lockhart, this assembly make for a Classic. The movie is assured success with the fine performances and the stark Black and White reality of the Korean War. Excellent vehicle for both Basehart and Widmark. Easilly recommended. ****
whpratt1
Karl Malden directed this story about a POW in North Korea and Col. William Edwards, (Richard Widmark) is assigned to the investigation of sixteen POW soldiers. Major Harry Cargill, (Richard Basehart) is accused of being brainwashed and the fact that he broke down and gave out important secret material. June Lockhart, (Mrs. Cargil) gave an outstanding supporting role as the wife to Harry Cargill. William Edwards had a hard time trying to get the truth about what really went on in this POW camp and Edwards acted like he wanted to be accused of this crime and even admitted to the treason against the United States. Do not recommend viewing this film, it is rather boring and seems to repeat itself over and over again.
edwagreen
When you see this film's first scene, you think you are going to see "The Manchurian Candidate." The first scene deals with apparent brain-washing. Richard Widmark is cast in his usual role as an attorney. Apparently, he got good experience in this part for several years later he was absolutely mesmerizing in "Judgment At Nuremberg." This film deals with moral conflict. Widmark refuses to accept the fact that Richard Basehart, who is accused of consorting with the North Koreans while held in a prisoner camp during the Korean War, can't wait to get the entire situation over by pleading guilty and not justifying his actions one bit.There is an excellent supporting cast led by Carl Benton Reid, and a young Rip Torn is also terrific as a powerful witness to what has occurred.The film adequately captures the dilemma faced by prisoners of war during their capture. The problem with this film that as the truth begins to unfold, it becomes very preachy in nature. This is a usual flaw of such films.The ending will come as a surprise to many but you will not be surprised by the stoic beliefs of Carl B. Reid.Interesting, but we've heard this story before somewhere.
AD
