Fixed Bayonets! (1951)
Samuel Fuller's raw Korean War drama about one reluctant soldier's harrowing path toward command.
Fixed Bayonets! - Movie Information
- Release Year: 1951
- Directed by: Samuel Fuller
- Type: Movie
- Genres: War, Drama, Action
- Age Rating (US): NR
- Runtime: 1h 32m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): November 21, 1951 (Spain), November 21, 1951 (United States - NR), January 1, 1952 (Brazil - 14)
- Production Companies: 20th Century Fox
- Production Countries: United States of America
Fixed Bayonets! - Plot
The story of a platoon during the Korean War. One by one, Corporal Denno's superiors are killed until it comes to the point where he must try to take command responsibility.
Fixed Bayonets! - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the tension unfold:
Bayonets All-Steel…Hearts ALL-AMERICAN…Their story ALL GLORY!
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Fixed Bayonets! - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Samuel Fuller
Main Cast
- Richard Basehart
- Gene Evans
- Michael O'Shea
- Richard Hylton
- Craig Hill
- Skip Homeier
- Howard Banks
- Paul Burke
- George Conrad
- Glenn Corbett
Writers
- Samuel Fuller
Producers
- Jules Buck
Fixed Bayonets! - FAQs
What is Fixed Bayonets! about?
Fixed Bayonets! follows a U.S. Army platoon fighting in the Korean War. As officers and sergeants are killed in combat one by one, the reluctant Corporal Denno is gradually pushed toward taking command — a responsibility he fears he isn't ready for. It's a tense, character-driven war film from director Samuel Fuller.
Is James Dean in Fixed Bayonets!?
Yes! James Dean appears in Fixed Bayonets! in a very early, uncredited role as a soldier called Doggie. It's one of his first screen appearances before his rise to stardom, and sharp-eyed viewers can spot him briefly in the background — a fun piece of Hollywood history.
Where can you watch Fixed Bayonets! online?
You can rent or buy Fixed Bayonets! on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. It's widely available for digital purchase or rental, so finding a copy to stream shouldn't be a problem.
What makes Samuel Fuller's direction distinctive here?
Samuel Fuller brings his trademark raw, visceral style to Fixed Bayonets!, drawing on his own World War II combat experience. He keeps the action claustrophobic and the tension psychological, focusing less on battlefield spectacle and more on the moral weight of command and survival under fire.
Who are the main actors in Fixed Bayonets!?
The film stars Richard Basehart as the reluctant Corporal Denno, with Gene Evans as the tough Sgt. Rock and Michael O'Shea as Sgt. Lonergan. Richard Hylton, Craig Hill, and Skip Homeier round out the core platoon. The cast also includes an early uncredited appearance by a young James Dean.
Is Fixed Bayonets! based on a true story?
Fixed Bayonets! isn't based on a single documented event, but it draws heavily on the real experiences of Korean War soldiers. Writer-director Samuel Fuller was himself a decorated combat veteran, and the film's gritty, ground-level perspective reflects genuine military realities rather than Hollywood glamorization.
How was Fixed Bayonets! received by critics?
Fixed Bayonets! earned strong respect from critics, particularly for Fuller's unflinching direction and the film's psychological depth. It's widely regarded as one of the more honest and intense Korean War films of its era, praised for prioritizing character and moral tension over conventional action-movie heroics.
What are similar films to Fixed Bayonets!?
If Fixed Bayonets! hits the mark for you, try Battleground (1949), When Trumpets Fade (1998), or The Dirty Dozen (1967) for more gritty wartime drama. The Kill Team (2019) and Hyena Road (2015) offer a more modern take on soldiers grappling with command, conscience, and combat.
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