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Raymond Shaw is the kindest, bravest, warmest, most wonderful human being I’ve ever known in my life.

# Review

In this Cold War political thriller, Raymond Shaw (Laurence Harvey), a U.S. Army Sergeant, is awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions for saving his soldiers’ lives in Korea. Things are not quite as they seem, as the men he is credited in saving start having similar nightmares.

The story is very interesting and really reflects the American concerns at the time. The cast were phenomenal, such as Harvey’s desperate Shaw and Frank Sinatra’s suave Major Marco. The supporting cast, which includes Angela Lansbury’s annoying Mrs. Iselin and James Gregory’s bumbling Senator Iselin, play their roles well. Lansbury’s Mrs. Iselin in particular really stole the show, sometimes more than the two leads. Aspects of the film, such as the chauvinistic portrayal of some female characters and the caricature-like portrayal of Communist operatives, did not age well, but overall the film is a decent thriller and an interesting look at the times.

# Conclusion

Pretty solid political thriller that reflects the concerns of the 60s.

# Overall rating: 7.6

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