Set during the first winter of the Korean War, Fixed Bayonets! is the story of an American rifle platoon of 48 men left behind on a narrow, snow-covered mountain pass to fight a rear guard action and hold off the oncoming Communist hordes while the rest of the division pulls out to safety.
Lieutenant Gibbs (Craig Hill) is an earnest young fellow who knows his job.
Sergeant Rock (Gene Evans) is a red-bearded veteran of World War II – a big, rugged fellow who can be stern or considerate and helpful.
Sergeant Lonergan (Michael O’Shea) is another stalwart and a strong leader.
Corporal Denno (Richard Basehart) is an intelligent and sensitive soldier who lives in fear of his lieutenant and two sergeants being killed, which would force him to take command. As is obvious all along, his fears are realised – but by then, he is equal to the job.
In a brilliant display of leadership, he destroys an approaching enemy tank, enabling the handful of survivors – wounded, tired into numbness, dirty and scabrous – to evade the enemy.
Filmed in 20 days in the summer of 1951, Fixed Bayonets! – the second of writer/director Samuel Fuller’s Korean War movies made in 1951 (at the height of the war) – was the first in a seven-picture deal between Fuller and 20th Century Fox.
The film features the screen debut of a young James Dean in a small uncredited part as a soldier.
Cpl. Denno
Richard Basehart Sgt. Rock
Gene Evans Sgt. Lonergan
Michael O’Shea Medic John Wheeler
Richard Hylton Lt. Gibbs
Craig Hill Whitey
Skip Homeier Zablocki
George Conrad Paddy
Patrick Fitzgibbon Jonesy
Pat Hogan Mainotes
Tony Kent Chuck
Robert Knapp Vogl
Henry Kulky Walowicz
Richard Monahan Fitz
Wyott Ordung Borcellino
Don Orlando Vic
John Pickard Bulcheck
Mel Pogue Ramirez
Paul Richards Col. Taylor
Robert J. Stevenson Griff
George Wesley Bigmouth
David Wolfson
Lieutenant Gibbs (Craig Hill) is an earnest young fellow who knows his job.
