Verdict
Summary
A fair biopic about a highly respected and respectful military leader whose goal in life was never to perpetuate war, but to end it, once and for all, MacArthur is a well-produced film with a grand performance by Hollywood legend Gregory Peck, who makes the figure he portrays into a grandiloquent and verbose storyteller and orator, someone who obviously knew his importance and relished it, while also having the humility to bow out and obey orders when told to.
Plot:
General MacArthur’s skills as a military strategist are put to the test during World War II, and then the Korean War.
Review:
General Douglas MacArthur (Gregory Peck) looks back at his illustrious career as a military strategist under several different U.S. Presidents, and we see him as a pivotal figure during World War II, as he works with the Philippines against Japan. His decisions were key markers in the war, and we see as he deeply cares for the Philippine people, desperate to not leave them behind, even as the President calls him away on orders. He later goes to Australia where he must position and train (in that order because the Australians are woefully undertrained) the Australian military to help the war effort in a desperate stand in New Guinea where an invasion is taking place. As he stacks up victory after victory, he becomes the figurehead of the entire U.S. military – even over the Presidents he’s served under – and he is welcomed home a hero with a Medal of Honor. Peace only lasts so long, and then North Korea attacks South Korea, starting the Korean War, and MacArthur is once again called into service, which he is grateful for. But the Korean War is far bloodier and unpredictable than even he could have anticipated when the North Koreans use their Chinese allies to ambush American troops in Inchon. Forced to retire, but with honors over what is perceived as a failure, he spends the rest of his days lecturing at West Point, where his meritorious accolades follow him wherever he goes, despite failing to secure a presidential nomination.
A fair biopic about a highly respected and respectful military leader whose goal in life was never to perpetuate war, but to end it, once and for all, MacArthur is a well-produced film with a grand performance by Hollywood legend Gregory Peck, who makes the figure he portrays into a grandiloquent and verbose storyteller and orator, someone who obviously knew his importance and relished it, while also having the humility to bow out and obey orders when told to. He never overstayed his welcome, was a family man, despite spending most of his life with his family traveling to war-torn areas, only settling down in his golden years. Director Joseph Sargent clearly loved this material, and Peck’s performance never for one moment feels false. Jerry Goldsmith did the score. Interestingly enough, Goldsmith also later scored Inchon a few years later, which covered a lot of the same territory as this film.
Kino Lorber brings MacArthur to vivid and sparkling 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray in a two-disc set, and bonus features include an audio commentary by film historians (shout out to Steve Mitchell and Steven Jay Rubin), radio spots, and the trailer, plus a slipcover.
