Is The Long and the Short and the Tall Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (1961)

📖 The Core Premise

With the release of The Long and the Short and the Tall (1961), audiences are invited back into the world of War, Comedy, Drama. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "Based on a play by Willis Hall. A troop of British soldiers are out in the jungle to record jungle noises and troop noises in the jungle so that the recordings can be played back by other troops to divert the enemy to their whereabouts. As they progress to what they think is closer to the base camp they find themselves farther and farther from radio range until the only channel they can get clearly is that of a Japanese broadcast. They now realize they are probably only 10 to 15 miles from a Japanese camp! The tension is added to by rowdy and openly admitted "non-hero" Private Bamforth who has nothing good to say about anyone and especially Corporal Johnstone (who holds an equal dislike for Bamforth). When a Japanese soldier is taken as their prisoner, the true colours of each man comes to the surface"

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. While not a career-best, Laurence Harvey's presence adds a necessary stability to the proceedings. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good War. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is The Long and the Short and the Tall worth your time? If you appreciate War, Comedy, Drama films that take risks, this is likely a must-watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, The Long and the Short and the Tall is a mixed bag with some redeeming qualities. With a runtime of 110 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Watch on OTT.