Fixed Bayonets!

Fixed Bayonets! is a war film written and directed by Samuel Fuller and produced by Twentieth Century-Fox during the Korean War. It is Fuller's second film about the Korean War. In his motion picture debut, James Dean appears briefly in the film. The film is set in the first winter of the Korean War during the Red Chinese intervention . The story follows the fate of a lone 48 man platoon left as a rear guard to defend a choke point, to cover the withdrawal of their division over an exposed bridge. The subplot explores the psychological makeup of the individuals charged with leadership of the... platoon, and therein examines the nature of service and valor. Ultimately command of the platoon falls upon Cpl. Denno , who has an innate aversion to responsibility for the lives of others. Roy Webb composed the film's score using two songs. Music by James F. Hanley Lyrics by Ballard MacDonald Fixed Bayonets! was the first film of a seven picture deal between Twentieth Century-Fox and writer/director Fuller. Fox had been impressed with Fuller's The Steel Helmet and sought to better the imitations of that film on the then topical subject of the Korean War.
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