Claude Wilson Movies
- 1984
- R
This tale of doomed romance set against the backdrop of the Vietnam War was the last in a string of box office disappointments from director Sidney J. Furie before he struck gold again with Iron Eagle (1986). Ken Wahl stars as Dr. Don Jardian, a Navy medical officer assigned to duty in Vietnam. Jardian is no flag-waving patriot, however; the reluctant warrior is just biding his time until he can return stateside and start a lucrative private practice. Then he meets and falls in love with Deborah Solomon (Cheryl Ladd), a devoted nurse who at first keeps the handsome doctor at bay, disgusted by the avariciousness that led him to choose what Deborah considers a noble profession. Eventually, however, Deborah's selflessness inspires Don and their romance blooms despite their bloody surroundings, leading to a dangerous mission that could separate them forever. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi
- Starring:
- Ken Wahl, Cheryl Ladd, (more)
- 1980
Set in the Philippines during World War II, the story concerns a platoon captain who endangers his company in the pursuit of individual glory. ~ John Bush, Rovi
Cowritten by director Sidney J. Furie, The Boys in Company C charts the fortunes of five young Marine recruits. Led by Stan Shaw, the quintet is shipped off to Vietnam. The film makes no bones about the demoralizing effect the war has on its participants, nor the pigheadedness of the military higher-ups who think only in terms of body counts and photo ops. Of the five recruits, the most memorable are Michael Lembeck as Vinnie Fazio, the resident wiseguy (the same type of role played by Lembeck's dad Harvey in 1950s war films) and Andrew Stevens as Billy Ray Pike, a straight-arrow type who succumbs to the lure of drugs; the others are played by Craig Wasson, James Canning, and Scott Hylands. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Stan Shaw, Andrew Stevens, (more)
- 1966
Produced in the Philippines, this grim crime drama offers a dim view of Americans as it tells the story of a labor uprising sparked by an American mill owner who kills a labor organizer. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Michael Parsons, Valora Noland, (more)
- 1965
In this action film, a reporter (Tom Drake) travels to the Philippines during World War II to report on a famous American colonel, John Hannegan (George Montgomery). However, when he meets the revered colonel and witnesses a battle, he discovers that the man's heroics come at the cost of ruthless, brutal war tactics. ~ Iotis Erlewine, Rovi
- Starring:
- George Montgomery, Tom Drake, (more)
Fort Santiago in the Philippines, built in 1574, was called "Intramuros, the walled city of Manila." This action feature is centered around Intramuros and the events that occurred there in February of 1945. After Japanese troops were finally showing defeat in Manila, they retreated into the fortress with 10,000 Filipino captives. American Lieutenant Jim Sorenson (Jock Mahoney), whose wife is held inside the fort, is instructed to rescue the prisoners with his guerrilla forces. Lt. Sorenson finds help from a brave Filipino (Fernando Poe Jr.) who managed to escape the fortress himself. Intramuros/The Walls of Hell was a slightly different topic for Filipino director Eddie Romero, known more for his low-budget exploitation and horror pictures. ~ Kristie Hassen, Rovi
- Starring:
- Jock Mahoney, Michael Parsons, (more)
Surely Benjamin Appel's novel Fortress in the Rice was more interesting than its static film adaptation Cry of Battle. Van Heflin plays a crusty soldier of fortune fighting with the Philippine partisans during World War II. James MacArthur co-stars as the wealthy, aimless son of a businessman who joins the partisan cause for a lark. He is toughened up by Heflin and romanced by local girl Rita Moreno. Life's just full of surprises, isn't it? ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Van Heflin, Rita Moreno, (more)
