Don't understand the attraction this film holds

[deleted]

Se55jo, I count myself one of those who love this film. I think it is a well-written account of people and boredom. What is the attraction? It is the characters. Repeat viewers enjoy spending time with these characters and the actors who bring them to life: Fonda, Lemmon, Powell, Bond and the rest. In the case of the captain, we do not like him, but we do love Cagney.





"It's as red as the Daily Worker and twice as sore."

Since my dad spent twenty years in the US Navy. Watching this film entering his second year of Naval duty, he felt a connection. After retirement, he watched this movie with us kids and we fell in love with it, too. Since we all shared this connection, it made us happy that it brought him and his mates much happieness. Secondly, the fine acting by the leads and supporting cast was outstanding. And you can't beat Henry Fonda celebrating his version of the Allie victory in Europe, by throwing the prize tree overboard!

It's just a great movie of how one person can beat micromanagement.

"Why don't you have another beer?"-Scott Stevens

Se55jo --

This film was about more than Mister Roberts' wish to get off of that boat. Personally, I liked the whole Ensign Pulver side story (this was played up a lot more in the novel). My favorite scene in the film was when Roberts was telling Pulver that while he (Pulver) was a likable guy, he wouldn't have any respect for him until Pulver finished something that he started, i.e. putting the marbles in the Captain's overhead, then have the guts to go right up to the Capatin and say "Captain! It is I, Ensign Pulver and I'm the one who put the marbles in your overhead". In that scene, Pulver was very hurt that Roberts had no respect for him (Pulver obviously wanted Roberts' respect, because he thought the world of him). So that's why, at the end of the film, upon hearing of Mr. Roberts death, Pulver threw the Captain's palm tree overboard and went straight to the Captain and said "Captain! It is I, Ensign Palmer, and I just threw your damn tree overboard...Now whats this I hear about no movie tonight!" At that point, Pulver figured it was time to earn the respect of Mr. Roberts.

That side plot is much of what this film was really about -- it's really about integrity and respect -- it wasn't just a simple comedy.

My late father was in the Navy during WWII on a cargo ship very much like the one in "Mr. Roberts". Dad loved the movie, thought it was hilarious. He also said that it was the most true-to-life movie about the Navy he had ever seen.

Come to think of it, war itself is usually "long, boring, and depressing."

The simple point of "Mr. Roberts" -- book, play, movie -- is that war is either sheer hell or sheer boredom -- "from Tedium to Apathy and back again, with an occasional side trip to Monotany," as author Thomas Heggen put it. "Mr. Roberts" accounts for the millions of American servicemen who endured boredom far from World War II's front lines and who, now and then, wondered how they might fare and behave in the combat jobs that most expected and/or feared.

"Mr. Roberts" also addresses the tyranny of military hierarchy, the utter helplessness that the crew feels under the rule of a selfish, stupid commanding officer. Perhaps captains like Morton were rarities (I sure hope so) but I've had bosses who resembled him (one in particular). At least I could leave my job -- but the men of the USS Reluctant couldn't get away short of desertion, family hardship, or (in Roberts' case), something close to blackmail.

In the end, Roberts goes to find his manhood in combat aboard another ship. Pulver, inspired by his mentor, ultimately finds his manhood as well aboard the Reluctant. The film ends both tragically and triumphantly, which is one reason it resonates so well. It just feels right.

"Mr. Roberts" is indeed a war movie, but not a combat movie. There's a difference. I don't think the film is quite as good as Heggen's book -- there's a lot of Fordian slapstick, which for some is an acquired taste -- but by turns the film produces both belly laughs and moist eyes, and life is like that sometimes.

Wow, OddsAgainst_Moon_People. The OP was being quite nice, cordial, and civil about their opinion and was even asking for those who LOVE the film to fill him/her on what he/she may have missed. That was all. You went from 0 to an unnecessary 60 in just one post. Anger management might help. And even if your "humor" was tongue firmly in cheek (for two of your replies, no less), it did not come at all across that way. The OP did nothing to provoke such an extreme reaction. In fact, the OP was actually quite polite, even when responding to you.

"Then where does the power come from, to see the race to its end? From within."

A great part of the movie for me apart from what others have already said is where Roberts has gotten the Reluctant to the liberty port and Cap't. Morton figures he can finally get Roberts to tow his line in exchange for giving the crew the liberty he knows Roberts so dearly wants them to have. Roberts is forced to do just what Morton wants. But when the crew sees the "changed" Roberts they all start to surmise that he has sold out to the Cap't. for a promotion or the transfer that he wants. To the point that he put Dolan on report amongst other things. It is only later after VE day when Roberts deep sixes the palm tree and is called to Morton's office that the crew learns of the "deal" that Roberts made with the Cap't. to get the crew liberty and they realize the "sacrifice" he made for them. That whole last scene where Dolan is saying "good night" to Roberts twice always brings a tear to my eye.