Chris Ludowyk's Syncopators appear in the film as a jazz dance band.

Production

The idea of making the film came from William Nagle, who wrote a screenplay to produce himself; David Hannay came on board as co-producer. American director Dick Richards was originally meant to direct, but then Philippe Mora became involved. Mora and the producers wanted to import Americans to play three roles: Leonski, his best friend Gallo and lawyer Danneberg; Actors Equity only agreed to two. At one stage, it was announced that the movie would be called Leonski and be shot in August 1981 with Don Lane as a US Army major.

James Coburn had previously turned down a role in Mora’s The Return of Captain Invincible, before he was cast as Major Dannenberg. His character is largely based on the real Leonski’s defense attorney, Ira C. Rothgerber, though Rothgerber was “a short 29-year-old second lieutenant in the Army” when the real trial took place. A character named "Sgt. Rothberger" was added to the film as a nod to him.

Under the working title War Story, filming took place on-location in Melbourne. The producers were able to film the trial and hanging scenes in the real locations where they occurred. Ira Rothgerber served as a technical and historical consultant. At the time, the film drew some controversy over its claim that Douglas MacArthur had directly interceded to ensure Leonski’s hanging in order to preserve US-Australian relations. In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Rothgerber said MacArthur could have stopped the hanging and didn’t, though he doubted that MacArthur played quite as active a role in the case as the movie depicts.

Richard Brier of The Guardian liked it and said "it's a tense and gripping drama that allows both Coburn and Brown to display their considerable acting talents in a well-made, literate and hard-hitting film."

William Wolf in his review published in The Reporter Dispatch gave it three out four stars. He felt the weak link was the script failing to explain the lawyers devotion to protect an accused killer. He wrote that "director Philippe Mora provides a colorful, convincing atmosphere of Melbourne during the war. The film gains from committed acting, whether in the supporting roles or star performances."

Ed Blank of The Pittsburgh Press gave it three stars and a half out of five. He said "it's a fast sit, with an engrossing story a fascinating central character." He felt the script was its weakest aspect but praised the acting of its cast especially of its lead Reb Brown.

Marylynn Urrichio, in her Pittsburgh Post-Gazette review, felt the movie lacked of tension and while ambitious the screenplay didn't live up to its full potential. However she said that the film is worth seeing for its acting, unusual story, photography and the issues being covered.

Steve Hopgood of North Dorset Western Gazette said also felt the script was predictable. He added that it started slow but picks up the pace. He praised the direction, and the acting especially of James Coburn.

Terry Lawson of Dayton Daily News said he felt on the negative side the movie was too woeful, a bit inadequate in military justice, and ran out of steam toward the end. On the positive side he praised the lead actors, the director's capability of capturing the atmosphere of war and bring out the best out of his actors. His conclusion was it "is well-meaning and unexploitive portrait of an intriguing time."

Cast response

James Coburn later said, "It wasn't very good. There were a lot of problems with the picture. For one thing we had an auteur producer. He was also the screenwriter. He wrote it too much like a comic strip. We also had a lot of auteurs working on the fucking thing. The director didn't have enough time to prepare it. I was very disappointed by the way it turned out. It was a hellava good story. It's too bad."

Awards and nominations

  • Nominated: Australian Film Institute Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role (Reb Brown)
  • Nominated: Australian Film Institute Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Maurie Fields)

See also

  • The Devil Strikes at Night - a 1957 West German film, also based on the case of a World War II serviceman accused of murder, who is convicted despite evidence of mental instability, due to the political circumstances.
  • Cinema of Australia

References

Sources

  • Mathews, Jack, "When the Whole Truth is Not Enough", The Age, (Tuesday, 15 October 1985), p.14.
  • Death of a Soldier at the National Film and Sound Archive
  • Death of a Soldier at New York Times
  • Death of a Soldier at Oz Movies