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Battle Circus

Released Mar 6, 1953 1h 30m War List
Tomatometer 4 Reviews 24% Popcornmeter 50+ Ratings
In an Army field hospital during the Korean War, a tempestuous relationship develops between an arrogant, cynical, brilliant military surgeon named Maj. Jed Webbe (Humphrey Bogart) and a nurse, Lt. Ruth McCara (June Allyson), who is new to the front. Though Webbe is gruff and awkward in his advances, his romance with McCara nevertheless deepens. However, the harsh reality of war and the couple's commitment to their military duties complicates the love affair.
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Battle Circus

Critics Reviews

View All (4) Critics Reviews
Bob Thomas Associated Press A war story that has everything but a plot. Jun 24, 2019 Full Review Howard Thompson New York Times An absorbing, often tingling background of a mobile Army surgical hospital at the Korean front. Unfortunately for the general pace and impact, considerable time is allotted to a dawdling and familiar personal drama. Rated: 3/5 Apr 8, 2008 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Though not one of Bogart's strongest, this serviceable feature is one of few war (Korea) films in which he wears uniform, and his only MGM picture, co-starring with that studio's reliable performer, June Allyson. Rated: C+ Oct 19, 2012 Full Review TV Guide Singularly undistinguished except for Bogart's presence. Rated: 2/4 Apr 8, 2008 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Steve D Bogart is laughable the rest works ok. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 04/04/23 Full Review ashley h Battle Circus is a disappointing film. It is about the love story of a hard-bitten Army surgeon and a new nurse who ready to save the world. Humphrey Bogart and June Allyson give terrible performances. The screenplay is badly written. Richard Brooks did a horrible job directing this movie. I was not impressed with this motion picture. Rated 1 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member One of Bogey's bogeys. The brooding love story isn't as interesting as it might be, nor is the action around it, although for fans of the television series MASH this certainly holds some interest as the themes and location are the same. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 02/06/23 Full Review Audience Member Nothing is for always. A new nurse joins the military and is sent to Korea during a time of high casualties. She is paired with a surgeon that quickly wants to get in her pants. She falls in love with him but decides to reluctantly date him to a point and draws a line in the sand when he won't open up to her and only appears to be about for sex. Is there a chance to fall in love or will she eventually give into his charm? "Maybe whiskey is as part of our life as war." Richard Brooks, director of Fever Pitch, Bite the Bullet, The Professionals, Deadline - USA, and The Catered Affair, delivers Battle Circus. The storyline for this picture was just okay but the character development was fairly solid and the acting was better than average. The cast includes Humphrey Bogart, June Allyson, Keenan Wynn, William Campbell, and Patricia Tiernan. "You're about to wreck something beautiful." I generally enjoy Humphrey Bogart pictures and decided to DVR this picture when I found it on Turner Classic Movies (TCM). This film is nothing special overall but does contains some great lines and interactions between characters. This isn't a bad film to watch if you're a fan of Bogart but you're not missing much if you skip it either. "What are you thinking about?" "You." "That's good. At least you're not wasting your time." Grade: C+/B- Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/19/23 Full Review Audience Member bogies only mgm film Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Audience Member June Allyson has amazing chemistry with the dreamy Humphrey Bogart in this 1953 movie about a M.A.S.H. unit during the Korean War. For a black and white war movie, it has a pretty interesting story - that has very little to do with the wa, and heck of a lot t do with Bogarts hormones - a decent script and great actors. Battle Circus is a highly underrated film, that any Bogart fan should watch. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/17/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Battle Circus

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Movie Info

Synopsis In an Army field hospital during the Korean War, a tempestuous relationship develops between an arrogant, cynical, brilliant military surgeon named Maj. Jed Webbe (Humphrey Bogart) and a nurse, Lt. Ruth McCara (June Allyson), who is new to the front. Though Webbe is gruff and awkward in his advances, his romance with McCara nevertheless deepens. However, the harsh reality of war and the couple's commitment to their military duties complicates the love affair.
Director
Richard Brooks
Producer
Pandro S. Berman
Screenwriter
Richard Brooks
Production Co
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Genre
War
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 6, 1953, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 5, 2015
Runtime
1h 30m
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