"The Young Lions," a 1958 black and white World War II drama with Marlon Brando, Dean Martin, and Montgomery Clift, tries to depict the experiences of German, American, and French individuals during the war. Brando portrays a young German officer who grows increasingly doubtful of Hitler’s leadership and the conflict he initiated. Martin's character is a sophisticated Broadway musician contending with his own fearfulness, while Montgomery Clift embodies an innocent Jewish-American man who finds love with a charming woman (Hope Lange) and confronts prejudice within his military unit. Brando’s acting demonstrates why many consider him to be among the finest in film; he's simply mesmerizing to watch. Many critics have observed that Brando’s storyline involving Germany is more compelling than the narratives of the two American characters, a point which becomes clearer with subsequent viewings. The movie includes three beautiful women: Barbara Rush, May Britt, and Liliane Montevecchi. Rush appears as Martin's woman interested in marriage, who initially flirts with Brando; Britt takes on the role of an alluring wife to Brando’s commanding officer (Maximilian Schell); and Montevecchi plays a French girl who at first scolds Brando’s character because he is a German soldier. It’s important to note that "The Young Lions" isn't primarily an action film, but rather a moving war drama. While there are sequences with fighting—in France and Northern Africa for example—the focus remains on the characters and their journeys. The ending leaves a lasting impression as it shows Brando’s character in a state of shock and deep disillusionment. If you're searching for an action-packed movie, this isn't it; that may account for some of the less enthusiastic reviews. Nevertheless, "The Young Lions" is undeniably a war film, and also stands out as a superb piece of cinematic artistry, not to mention one of Brando’s most captivating portrayals. The runtime is 2 hours and 47 minutes. GRADE A-

Source on TMDB