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June 03, 2006
The War Lover
Philip Leacock - 1962
Columbia Pictures Region 1 DVD
Early on in The War Lover, Philip Leacock conveys the sense of fragility in war. One of the crew members is seen drinking some kind of stomach medicine that he mentions was never previously needed. The airplanes, described as flying fortresses, shake and rattle. The crew members in the machine gun turrets appear as the most vulnerable, but the shell of the bombers look ready to fall apart any any time. Philip Leacock's film takes place during World War II, with concerns about the psychological fragility of warriors still worth examining.
The role of the title character was something of a brave choice by Steve McQueen. Especially considering that The War Lover was done at a time when McQueen's stardom was on the ascent in modest budget films, McQueen's character of Buzz Rickson has moments where he is totally unsympathetic. Rickson is a pilot who takes chances with himself and his crew, impressing most, but not all with his bravado. At the same time, Rickson loves being destructive, both in his military capacity with enemy targets, and in relationships with other people. Leacock allows for Rickson to be viewed ambiguously, admired for his bravery under fire, occasionally repugnant at other times. One moment that captures both sides of Rickson's character suggests sexual release during combat.
Also ambiguous is Rickson's relationship with his co-pilot, Bolland (Robert Wagner). While Bolland early in the film is shown to admire Rickson, later scenes indicate Rickson's jealousy, almost a possesiveness, when Bolland develops his relationship with Daphne (Shirley Anne Field). Rickson is not only more comfortable in his role as a warrior, but as an admired man in the company of men. Rickson's relationship with women are indicated to be superficial, brief sexual liasons. Rickson's sense of masculinity and immaturity towards women are indicated when he tries to force his youngest crew member onto a plain looking barmaid. The War Loveris a low key twist on John Ford's celebration of military men, with the camaraderie shown as increasingly puerile. McQueen is later shown calmly drinking whiskey during an air raid, feeling as invincible on the ground as in the air.
The young crew member with the high pitched voice is played by Michael Crawford, a couple years before starring in several films by Richard Lester, and many years before becoming Andew Lloyd Webber's original "Phantom of the Opera". The main reason to see The War Lover is Steve McQueen just a year before he cemented his star status with The Great Escape. An officer describes Rickson as bordering between the heroic and the psychotic. This was a different kind of role for Steve McQueen, hinting at ambitions of an actor that were never fully explored.
Posted by Peter Nellhaus at June 3, 2006 06:34 AM