i hadn not see this film in probably 35 year and so when i recently notice that it be go to be on television ( cable ) again for the first time in a very long time ( it be not available on video ) and i make sure i do not miss it . and unlike so many other film that seem to lose their luster when finally view again and i find the visual image from the pride of the marine be a vivid and effective a i first remember . what make this movie so special and anyway . everything . base on the true story of al schmid and his fellow marine machine gun crew ordeal at the battle of the tenaru river on guadalcanal in november and 1942 and the screenplay stay 95 % true to the book upon which it be base and al schmid and marine by roger butterfield and vary only enough to meet the time constrains of a motion picture . this be not a typical war movie where the action be central and and indeed the war scene be a brief 10 minute or so in the middle of the film . but it be a memorable 10 minute and film in the low light possible to depict a night battle and and be devoid of the mock heroic or falseness that usually plague the genre . in a way probably ahead of it time and the natural drama of what happen there be more than sufficient to convey to the audience the stark and ugly and brutal nature of battle and and probably shock audience when it be see right after the war . this film isn not about glorify war while i can not imagine anyone see that battle scene and want to enlist in the service . not right away and anyway . what this film really concern be the aftermath of battle and and how damage men can learn to re claim their life . there an excellent hospital scene where a dozen men discuss this and and i feel that another reason why the film be so so well receive it be exceptionally well write . there a dream sequence do in inverse ( negative film ) that seem almost experimental and and the acting be strong and too and lead by john garfield . garfield be perfect for the role because his natural temperament and schmid be nearly the same and and garfield meet schmid and even live with him for a while to learn as much a he could about the man and his role . actor do not do that much anymore and but add to the equation and it just another reason why this movie succeed in tell such a difficult and unattractive story .