vincentlynch-moonoi It's interesting to read the other reviews here of this movie. About half with strong praise, the other half with disdain. Perhaps part of that is how you look at the military. I honor the sacrifices of our soldiers and the many necessary military campaigns that our country has undertaken, and my father was military, but I'm not quite the fan that John Ford obviously was. But on the other hand, a few years ago I took a tour of West Point, and I was very impressed, so it was a pleasure seeing this film, much of which was filmed at West Point. It lent a sense of realism to the film.However, if you're expecting a great war story here, you're going to be disappointed. That's not what this is about...although with John Ford as director, what you get is rather surprising -- a rather sentimental tale of a handful of people around which West Point functioned. They weren't the heroes, so this is not about that. This is a simple story which is more about immigrants fitting into a new culture...and a rather odd culture, at that.Perhaps the biggest criticism of this film is that Tyrone Power was about 20 years too old for the role...and it shows. That being said, it's a fine performance, and all the better that it's so atypical of what we expect of Tyrone Power. He clearly did some of his own "stunts" here, which made me think of his fatal heart attack just 3 years later.The other actors here do what's expected of them. Maureen O'Hara is bright and bossy as ever...if anything, perhaps slightly overplayed. Donald Crisp plays Tyrone Power's father (you'll enjoy seeing him do the jig), Ward Bond plays a Captain, and the rarely seen Betsy Palmer has a small role. John Wayne's son Patrick also has a small role, interesting because his dad was who director John Ford wanted for the lead role here. However, it would have been a very different film had Wayne played the role. The ill-fated Robert Francis (memorable from "The Caine Mutiny") has a decent role here; gone too soon.John Ford does an excellent job here of portraying love of country and love of culture, although before you're halfway through the film, you're liable to be just a tad bit tired of the emphasis on the Irish. Yet, that's the way it was back then. And, my respect for Ford has grown as a result of watching this film. It's not a western, nor a war flick (even though it was about a military academy), and you can't help but get choked up several times during the film.Highly recommended.

whpratt1 John Ford sure directed a great classic film about West Point and Tyrone Power, (Marty Maher) played the role of an Irish immigrant who is hired to work at West Point as kitchen help. Marty broke so many dishes in the kitchen that he quite that job and enlisted in the Army at West Point and he married a sweet pretty Irish girl named Mary O'Donnell, (Maureen O'Hare). Marty and Mary enjoyed their life at West Point and they both met and made good friends of the cadets and some of them they treated like their own sons. Donald Crisp, (Old Martin) played the role as Marty's father who came from Ireland and Ward Bond, (Capt. Herman J. Kohler) gave a great supporting role to this film. Robert Francis, (Red Sundstrom Jr.) gave an outstanding performance and it is sad to say he was killed in real life in a plane crash right after making this film, he also starred in the Caine Mutiny along with Humphrey Bogart. Truly a great Classic film which you will enjoy from the beginning to the very end.

wes-connors Long biography of a West Point veteran who instructs in swimming and such, despite displaying mediocre athletic skills. Tyrone Power stars - and, he plays the part like an Irish Charlie Chaplin. He isn't awful, but the story and direction (John Ford) fail both he and some other competent performers. Naturally, Maureen O'Hara is introduced, like an Irish Lillian Gish. Can it be a coincidence that Donald Crisp is in this movie? Could this film have been an attempt to fool the Russians into thinking our West Point was vulnerable? My choice for the peak of dramatic sentimental idiocy is the portion where Mr. Power and Ms. O'Hara pray for a son - imagine the long gray faces if they had been blessed with a girl! I would have expected then to pray for a healthy baby; if you watch, you will see Divine revenge. On the plus side, "The Long Gray Line" is presented by filmmakers in possession of obvious money, and skill. If you're in the mood for a long, green line from John Ford and company, it's not unpleasant. ***** The Long Gray Line (1/22/55) John Ford ~ Tyrone Power, Maureen O'Hara, Robert Francis

B52Chief I caught the end of this movie on one of those late night movie channels. Immediately the search began for this movie ... I had to own it. This movie tops my all-time favorites list just edging out "Its a Wonderful Life" and that is only because it is based on the real life story of Martin Maher. This movie should be shown in every high school/college ethics class in America. The humbling integrity of the West Point Cadets to the dedication and devotion that Marty shared with each and everyone of them over his 50 years of service in the US Army truly depicts humankind at it's best. It will make you laugh, smile, and cry all at the same time while making you feel good about the world. I know that you will come away from this movie with a new outlook on life. It's a shame that this 50 year old movie is hidden on late night movie channels ... it should be played during the holidays right along with "Its a Wonderful Life". Enjoy it with friends and family.