Nicholas Ray directs Bitter Victory, a movie based on Rene Hardy's novel of the same name. The cast includes Richard Burton, Curd Jurgens, Ruth Roman, Raymond Pellegrin, Christopher Lee, and Nigel Green; Maurice Leroux composed the music, and Michel Kelber was in charge of cinematography. This film has generated strong reactions over time—some have written extensive analyses of it, while others have criticized it as being overly ambitious and affected. I found it rather tedious, a slow slog through World War II landscapes as Burton’s character clashes with Jurgens' because Burton had an affair with Jurgens’ wife (Roman). The film moves at a deliberate pace, apart from the battle scene, so viewers have to depend on the writing and performances to get them through. Burton is reliably good when he gets to brood and deliver speeches, and Green brings his characteristic energy to the screen. However, Jurgens seems ill-suited for the role and struggles with the somber nature of his character. The editing can be poor at times, and a few scenes feel illogical. There’s definitely some strength in the writing; the exploration of masculinity and military skepticism has thematic importance, but the film's self-assured presentation makes it seem preachy rather than fully exploring the emotional depth of Hardy’s characters. My dislike of the movie doesn't mean it’s poorly made—many people find it captivating and impactful—but it didn’t resonate with me, and I consider it one of Nicholas Ray’s less impressive films. 4/10

Source on TMDB