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I gave it a 7.5 out of 10

Don't listen to the negative reviews

The best films of this genre always show a path and provide a takeaway for being a better person.

The movie's not perfect, but it sticks the landing of its message. It was engaging - thrilling at times - and I personally thought it was a great time.

George Bernard Shaw's play about Revolutionary War Massachusetts is in contrast amusing, serious, thought provoking and on occasion, extremely funny. It is 1777, and the British are trying to keep the rebels at bay, hanging those suspected of being on the side of those fighting for the freedom of the colonies. For local minister Burt Lancaster, it's a hard fight to keep his congregation on the straight and narrow, and when the son (Kirk Douglas) of one of the hanged men shows up, it's also a battle for his marriage as Lancaster's innocent but puritanical wife (Janette Scott) finds herself tempted by sin due to the unconventional but charming Douglas. When Douglas is arrested under the assumption that he's actually Lancaster, it's up to the minister to do what's morally right, even if it means sacrificing his own life. General Laurence Olivier and his assistant (Harry Andrews) have opposite views of dealing with the rebels, and at times, Olivier has a smirk on his face, insinuating that he's amused by the unintended insipidness of his own troops.When the story breaks for a few strange animated sequences (straight out of the "Davey & Goliath" school of puppetry), it seems to indicate the quirky intentions of the filmmakers to ridicule that period in history. While the theme of war and treason is a serious one, you wouldn't know that by the way this is presented. There's a huge tongue in cheek feeling to each of the characters, with Douglas grinning throughout, certainly not loyal to any cause other than himself, and Lancaster going from determined minister to sudden rebel who takes on the British army inside their own offices, hysterically trying to destroy it with the help of a burning log he wants to throw on some explosives while taking on the soldiers trying to stop him.In a smaller role, Laurence Olivier shows that his general has hidden feelings about his own government, revealing that his feelings for King George III aren't very patriotic simply by saying that he's basing his decisions on facts, not even his own feelings which he'd rather discuss even with the so-called enemy in private. The rarely seen on screen Eva Le Galliene has a tiny part as Douglas's mother, outed from her home by her own son, and is commanding with what little screen time she has. While obviously cut down from George Bernard Shaw's play, it still retains much of his wit and wisdom, and if far from perfect, still packs a punch in certain segments, even with those silly game board pieces acting out the war as they try to keep the colony of Massachusetts from being taken over by American rebel forces.

George Bernard Shaw, as big a name as he was, proves here that no everything he thought of to write was great. I understand his play here was only performed once live. Then these script writers converted it into a screen play.Talented Director Guy Hamilton did this film and the action sequences show his talented touch. The film is short which in this case is an asset. The performers are very talented which helps too. There are a few comedies about the American Revolution, Abbott & Costello's Time of Their Lives comes to mind. In a way, this film has some in common with it. Abbott & Costello were not getting along when they did their film. Here Lancaster, Douglas & Olivier are are trying to get along and get quality screen time. The difference is A&C have ghosts and do obvious comedy. This one has a cheeky style of jokes that in some cases go over the average audience heads.Lancaster is a preacher, Douglas is a sort of rascal, and Olivier is British General Burgoynne (yes, there really was this General). While the facts are few and far between, the characters are very well acted. That is what makes this entertaining. It becomes obvious as the film goes along that Lancaster & Douglas own the production and both of them get their moments in. Olivier pretty much plays the straight man who gets the major speeches and comes off quite well.The most unusual role is Lancaster (the preacher's) wife. She has to play a woman almost on the edge of fooling around with Douglas when her husband gives her the chance. It is an edgy role and really makes the film more interesting than most films. Janette Scott actually brings this role off quite well.Because of the length being short, and the male stars all being at the top of their games, this comes off pretty good despite the farce it is at times.

When I was young, for whatever reason, I always associated Burt Lancaster with Kirk Douglas. I'm not even sure why, although they appeared in several films together...and this may be the best of the lot. And, throw in Laurence Olivier, and that's quite a starring cast. Not to mention a scintillating script by George Bernard Shaw.Douglas' role here is perhaps the most interesting. He plays a sort of rouge who holds great contempt for the British in the Revolutionary War, but also seems to make just about everybody uncomfortable for a variety of reasons...most of which we never learn. As I watch this film, it almost seems as if Douglas is enjoying this particular role more than most, and for me at least, it is second only to his performance in "Paths Of Glory".Lancaster here plays the local minister in a town where one citizen is hung by the British for no really good reason. And Douglas' valor inspires Lancaster to become a rebel in both word and action. And what valor was that? When the British comes to arrest Lancaster for burying the hanged man without permission (and he's not home), Douglas takes his place.Olivier is interesting here as General Burgoyne, the ultimately doomed British general of some note. What's interesting is the sort of almost tongue-in-cheek manner in which he plays the role. He's really quite entertaining.It's a shame the 1959 film is in black and white, but it's quite clever the way in which they use something akin to claymation to tell parts of the story between scenes. Much to my surprise, this is actually a British flick filmed in England.Another of our reviewers described this as a gem, and that's a perfect descriptor for this flick. I rarely give an "8", but I will to this exceptional film.

Lancaster and Douglas had a rare and unique Hollywood relationship. Though they could easily have been rivals (and in some ways were), they formed a sort of onscreen "buddy team", working together many times and using their own traits of one-upmanship to lift various projects to a high level of achievement. Their competitiveness, paired with their mutual respect, led to some memorable movies. This is a lesser-known effort of theirs, but is, by no means, an inferior one. Lancaster is a gentle Revolutionary War-era minister, married to the lovely, but puritanical Scott. When the war reaches a fever pitch and local townsfolk begin to hang from the gallows, a roguish prodigal son (Douglas) returns to stir things up. Douglas and Lancaster form an uneasy alliance with each other until Douglas is arrested, mistaken for Lancaster who has buried a "rebel" without permission. The commanding British officer is Olivier, who knows that the war is hopeless, but continues to play it out with a sort of bemused detachment. Though the film contains a fair amount of action, it is really a witty, clever parade of words and thoughts (based on a George Bernard Shaw play) shedding a humorous and ironic light on a page in U.S. history. Lancaster is mellow for much of the film, but effective (and tan! The audience gets to see his muscular back in the film, though Scott is too demure to look upon it herself!) Douglas starts off VERY big, with distractingly dark and satanically groomed eyebrows. Fortunately, he overcomes this gimmick and turns in a solid performance. Olivier is very good, but doesn't really take the reigns of his role to the highest level (and has limited screen time in any case.) Andrews gives a very nice supporting turn as his exasperated right-hand man. Scott does some of her best work as the straight-laced bride who can't help but find herself drawn to the rough-hewn charms of Douglas, though the very idea tortures her. Her best moment comes when Douglas asks her to kiss him and she exclaims, "I can't!" (yet immediately thrusts herself onto him for a lengthy smooch!) As history, the film is dubious at best (and even recognizes this itself!), but, at a tight 83 minutes, it's a delightful diversion featuring a great combination of actors and stars. It doesn't overstay its welcome and has a light touch throughout. (Oh, and check out the stop-motion figures that show up during the voice-over narration! What a hoot!)