Never So Few (1959) coming from Warner Archive

[MifuneFan]

NEW 2018 1080p HD MASTER
Run Time 124:00
Subtitles English SDH
DTS HD-Master Audio 5.1- English
16 X 9 LETTERBOX, ORIGINAL ASPECT RATIO - 2.35:1
COLOR
BD 50
Special Features: Theatrical Trailer (HD)

Frank Sinatra told the director to give the newcomer a break. John Sturges (The Great Escape) obliged, providing favorable camera angles for Sinatra’s young costar. In his first big-budget film, Steve McQueen was ready to grab the movie world’s attention.

McQueen plays Bill Ringa, one of the O.S.S. combatants harassing the enemy in World War II Burma. Sinatra is Capt. Tom Reynolds, leading the guerilla fighters and risking court-martial while doing so. Also among Never So Few’s many are Charles Bronson, Peter Lawford and, in her first Hollywood film, Gina Lollobrigida. About McQueen, the New York Herald Tribune’s reviewer wrote, “He possesses that combination of smooth-rough charm that suggests star possibilities.” A star is born in Never So Few

[javi92]

Been a while since I've seen this one. I remember it being a good war film though. Definitely keen to revisit now.

[MikeZ.]

Only took 10 years to upgrade my DVD.

[gates70]

Blind buy for me

[Michael24]

How big is Steve McQueen's role in this? TCM showed it a couple weeks ago as part of their month-long tribute, and I skipped it because it looked like more of a small supporting role but here I see he's spotlighted on the cover.

[MikeZ.]

Originally Posted by Michael24

How big is Steve McQueen's role in this? TCM showed it a couple weeks ago as part of their month-long tribute, and I skipped it because it looked like more of a small supporting role but here I see he's spotlighted on the cover.

My memory says all the way, or most of it. I could be wrong, if I'm not disappointed, and I wasn't, I let go of details, so it's fresh the next time.

[MikeZ.]

Looks and sounds great !!!

Steve McQueen enters at 18:50 by the way.

[dommie]

Upgraded my DVD on day one as this title has been on my "wanted" list for some time.

McQueen's involvement is an interesting one. His role was originally cast with Sammy Davis Jr. but Davis had insulted Sinatra in an interview claiming that he, Davis, was the better singer. This started a feud between them that resulted in Sinatra demanding that Davis be removed from the picture. Sturges had seen McQueen on his TV series, Wanted Dead or Alive and was impressed. Sturges showed Sinatra footage of McQueen and Frank was also impressed so McQueen was cast. This was his first large role in a major studio film. Supposedly, Sinatra was so impressed with McQueen on set that he told Sturges to feature him more in scenes, specifically by placing the camera in a way that presented McQueen in a more prominent way. In the end, Never So Few resulted in the launch of McQueen as a major star as Sturges would go on to cast him in a much more prominent role in his next film, The Magnificant Seven, and as the lead in The Great Escape.

By the way, Sinatra and Davis eventually reconciled as Davis appeared two years later in Ocean's Eleven.