Fireball Forwardis a 1972 Americanmade-for-TV movie.It was directed byMarvin J. Chomskyand written byEdmund H. North.It was produced byFrank McCarthywho called it "son ofPatton":it follows a hard luck Army division in 1944 France, and the General who must lick it into shape. The film was a pilot for a proposed TV series.[1]
| Fireball Forward | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Action Drama War |
| Written by | Edmund H. North |
| Directed by | Marvin J. Chomsky |
| Starring | Ben Gazzara Ricardo Montalbán Dana Elcar Edward Binns Morgan Paull |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Producer | Frank McCarthy |
| Cinematography | Robert L. Morrison |
| Editors | Harry Coswick Charles L. Freeman Pembroke J. Herring |
| Running time | 98 minutes |
| Production company | 20th Century Fox Television |
| Original release | |
| Network | ABC |
| Release | March 5, 1972 |
Plot
editAfterD-Day,Maj. GeneralJoe Barret is decorated with theDistinguished Service Crossmedal, but Gen.Omar Bradleytransfers him to the14th Divisiondue to poor performance in battle.
Barret finds the 14th Division with a bad combat record, lack of morale and discipline. After two disastrous battles against theGerman army,Barret discovers that he has amole,who turns out to be the head of theFrench Resistance,Jean Duval. Barret had learned, through Sgt. Collins, that before each battle the enemy knew their strategy.
Once Barret discovered the spy, the 14th Division wins its next battle and begins a successful push all the way to Gen.Patton,near Berlin. However, all U.S. Forces are ordered to hold on the west side of theElberiver, with everything east of the Elbe was left for the Russians. Only after the surrender did the Western Allied forces enter Berlin, per thePotsdam Agreement.
Cast
edit- Ben Gazzaraas Maj. Gen. Joe Barret
- Ricardo Montalbánas Jean Duval (as Ricardo Montalban)
- Anne Francisas Helen Sawyer
- Dana Elcaras Col. Talbot
- Edward Binnsas Corps. Commander
- Morgan Paullas Sgt. Andrew Collins
- Curt Lowensas Capt. Bauer
- L.Q. Jonesas Maj. Larkin
- Eddie Albertas Col. Douglas Graham
- Richard Yniguezas Capt. Tony Sánchez
References
edit- ^Fireball' With a Touch of 'Patton' Smith, Cecil. Los Angeles Times 29 Feb 1972: g12.
External links
edit
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