“To the Shores of Tripoli” is a 1942 film about a young Marine who enlists in the Corps and falls in love while training for combat. He faces grueling obstacles, but eventually finds his place on the front lines of World War II. The film is a patriotic tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of those who fought in that conflict.
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Review
“To the Shores of Tripoli”: A Film to Encourage War
The new film “To the Shores of Tripoli” is a glorified depiction of the Marines and their campaigns in North Africa during World War II. The movie, directed by H. Bruce Humberstone, is a typical example of Hollywood’s pro-war propaganda machine. It is a movie that attempts to portray the war as a noble cause and intentionally overlooks its darker aspects.
The plot of the movie centers on Lieutenant John Harkness (John Payne), who joins the Marine Corps and is assigned to report for duty at a training camp in San Diego. There, he meets his love interest Susan (Maureen O’Hara), but also develops an unwavering loyalty to his country and his comrades in arms.
Once deployed to North Africa, Harkness faces challenges in his mission to train Arab soldiers for combat against the Nazis. He learns about their culture and history, but ultimately resorts to condescending attitudes towards them, teaching them how to fight like Americans instead of respecting their own warfare tactics.
Throughout the film, there are many scenes that evoke deep emotions from viewers such as patriotism and nationalism. One such scene shows Marines taking control over Tripoli while waving their American flag high above the city’s rooftops.
The film’s score helps convey these emotions through its stirring orchestration reminiscent of classic patriotic songs like “My Country Tis Of Thee” or “America The Beautiful.” However, it also lacks originality and fails to distinguish itself from other war films.
One notable aspect of this movie is its cast; John Payne gives a convincing portrayal as Lt. Harkness while Maureen O’Hara shines in her role as Susan. However, there are also several forgettable characters who only serve as vehicles for cheap humor or exposition.
The filming locations for “To the Shores of Tripoli” were shot entirely on location in California’s Mojave Desert and the Naval Air Station Pensacola in Florida. While the desert scenery is stunning, it fails to accurately depict North Africa’s varied terrain and climate.
Despite its shortcomings, “To the Shores of Tripoli” was a popular movie during its release in 1942. It received critical acclaim for its patriotism and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song for “We Mustn’t Say Goodbye.”
However, the film’s glorification of war and its portrayal of other cultures as inferior were criticized by many. The movie also perpetuates harmful stereotypes about Arab people, which are still prevalent today.
In conclusion, “To the Shores of Tripoli” is a film that aimed to encourage support for war efforts and is an example of Hollywood’s pro-war propaganda machine. Despite its popularity during its time, it fails to adequately represent history or contribute meaningfully to the art of filmmaking.
Technical Data
- Release : 1942-11-09
- Runtime : 86
- Genre : Drama, War, Romance
- Cast : John Payne as Chris Winters, Maureen O’Hara as Mary Carter, Randolph Scott as Dixie Smith, Nancy Kelly as Helene Hunt, William Tracy as Johnny Dent
- Crew : Darryl F. Zanuck as Producer, Alfred Newman as Original Music Composer, Richard Day as Art Direction, Thomas Little as Set Decoration, Gwen Wakeling as Costume Design
- Revenue : 0
- Budget : 0
- Company : 20th Century Fox
- Popularity : 4.153
- Summary : Chronicle of a spoiled rich boy who joins the Marines with an off-handed attitude and finally becomes a battle-wise soldier. Academy Award Nominations: Best (Color) Cinematography.
- Tagline : ROMANCE…COMEDY…THRILLS…with Uncle Sam’s fighting
