31 reviews
This film portrays the lives of a US Army engineer squad in China during WW II. Their mission is to delay the advance of the Japanese Army. They must blow up bridges and ammo dumps along a long mountain road while dealing with a never ending line of Chinese refugees. James Stewart finds love with a beautiful Chinese widow. He must deal with his personal feelings toward a woman, a foreign people and the challenges of command. Not one of your best Jimmy Stewart movies but well worth a look.
The only film that World War II veteran James Stewart made during his career was one far away from his wartime experience flying missions over Germany in the European Theater. In fact it's the Chinese mainland theater which few have ever written about.
One of those who did was Theodore H. White who in the year before his first Making of the President books came out wrote the novel on which The Mountain Road is based. White was a correspondent during World War II and he covered this forgotten theater of the war where more time was spent in the quarrels with American commander Joseph Stilwell and Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek of the Kuomintang Nationalist Chinese forces than in actually fighting the Japanese.
The year is 1944 and the Japanese army is once again on the offensive and the Chinese are retreating deeper into their interior. Stewart heads an eight man army demolition team and he's destroying a whole lot of things useful to the advancing Japanese, scorching the Chinese earth for the invaders.
But he's in a country that the only things Americans know about it come from missionary tales, Pearl Buck novels, and Charlie Chan movies. Which would make Stewart's character no different than most of the rest of his countrymen. One of the people in his team is the Chinese speaking Glenn Corbett who's studied the language and culture.
In this war movie, we never see the Japanese. Stewart's big problems come from the mass of refugees heading west to escape the advancing Japanese. He's also dealing with conflicting orders, with Chinese commanders looking to evade responsibility, and some outright bandits who really don't care who wins the war.
Four of the team are killed and the reprisals Stewart takes cost him the affection of Lisa Lu, widow of a Chinese general who chose wrong politically and paid for it.
Actually the performance I liked best in the movie is that of Frank Silvera as a Chinese Kuomintang commander who actually does understand and sympathize with Stewart, but who also knows his people.
My guess is that James Stewart took this film because it's not a typical war film with no great combat scenes. It's about the responsibility of command in a war where you can't tell whom you should fear.
Still The Mountain Road drags in spots and comes to no real satisfactory conclusion. It's different, but because of that remains one of James Stewart's least known and viewed films.
One of those who did was Theodore H. White who in the year before his first Making of the President books came out wrote the novel on which The Mountain Road is based. White was a correspondent during World War II and he covered this forgotten theater of the war where more time was spent in the quarrels with American commander Joseph Stilwell and Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek of the Kuomintang Nationalist Chinese forces than in actually fighting the Japanese.
The year is 1944 and the Japanese army is once again on the offensive and the Chinese are retreating deeper into their interior. Stewart heads an eight man army demolition team and he's destroying a whole lot of things useful to the advancing Japanese, scorching the Chinese earth for the invaders.
But he's in a country that the only things Americans know about it come from missionary tales, Pearl Buck novels, and Charlie Chan movies. Which would make Stewart's character no different than most of the rest of his countrymen. One of the people in his team is the Chinese speaking Glenn Corbett who's studied the language and culture.
In this war movie, we never see the Japanese. Stewart's big problems come from the mass of refugees heading west to escape the advancing Japanese. He's also dealing with conflicting orders, with Chinese commanders looking to evade responsibility, and some outright bandits who really don't care who wins the war.
Four of the team are killed and the reprisals Stewart takes cost him the affection of Lisa Lu, widow of a Chinese general who chose wrong politically and paid for it.
Actually the performance I liked best in the movie is that of Frank Silvera as a Chinese Kuomintang commander who actually does understand and sympathize with Stewart, but who also knows his people.
My guess is that James Stewart took this film because it's not a typical war film with no great combat scenes. It's about the responsibility of command in a war where you can't tell whom you should fear.
Still The Mountain Road drags in spots and comes to no real satisfactory conclusion. It's different, but because of that remains one of James Stewart's least known and viewed films.
- bkoganbing
- Jun 23, 2008
- Permalink
- Leofwine_draca
- Dec 16, 2016
- Permalink
Legendary American reporter Theodore H. White covered China in the 1940s, and he wrote the novel on which this unusual James Stewart feature is based. It's not quite anti-war, but it's a very long way from the flag-waving military movies that Stewart made in the 1950s.
Stewart's character is a U.S. military engineer working with a small team trying to slow a Japanese advance in China. Though there's plenty of action (especially explosions), the emphasis is on the Americans' interaction with their Chinese allies -- which is fraught with problems. Stewart's character has a local love interest, played by Lisa Lu, but their relationship is nothing like a conventional GI romance.
"The Mountain Road" was obviously meant to be a thought-provoking look back at World War II, and to audiences in the early 1960s it probably was. The climax may have been almost shocking. In today's more jaded world, the movie is likely to strike many viewers as dull, with an ending that resolves very little. But it you still have a rose-colored view of the "Greatest War," and think it was less morally messy than our current conflicts, this could be enlightening.
Stewart's character is a U.S. military engineer working with a small team trying to slow a Japanese advance in China. Though there's plenty of action (especially explosions), the emphasis is on the Americans' interaction with their Chinese allies -- which is fraught with problems. Stewart's character has a local love interest, played by Lisa Lu, but their relationship is nothing like a conventional GI romance.
"The Mountain Road" was obviously meant to be a thought-provoking look back at World War II, and to audiences in the early 1960s it probably was. The climax may have been almost shocking. In today's more jaded world, the movie is likely to strike many viewers as dull, with an ending that resolves very little. But it you still have a rose-colored view of the "Greatest War," and think it was less morally messy than our current conflicts, this could be enlightening.
"The Mountain Road" is a different and interesting war film. Set in China in 1944, it is about a U.S. Army demolition team doing what it can to stop the Japanese advance as the Chinese and American forces withdraw. It is based on a novel of the same title by noted author Theodore H. White. White said that his story was inspired by an interview he had with a former OSS Major Frank Gleason Jr. who had headed just such a demolition crew. Gleason was later hired as a technical consultant for the film, although he is not listed in the credits. According to one source, Gleason headed a demolition group that blew up more than 150 bridges and destroyed more than 50,000 tons of munitions in Dushan.
The film shows the challenges of military command and conflicts that the lead character, Major Baldwin has. James Stewart plays that part very well. His conflicts are different in that most of his decisions about blowing up bridges, roads and even buildings in villages affect hundreds of civilians.
All of the cast are very good in their roles. Among the most prominent are Lisa Lu who plays Madame Sue-Mei Hung, Harry Morgan who plays Staff Sgt. Mike Michaelson and Glenn Corbett who plays Collins.
An interesting aspect of this film is that there are no Japanese soldiers. The Americans never encounter the enemy. The film depicts some of the aspects of the Chinese culture that Major Baldwin had not yet learned. The terrain looked like it could have been filmed in China, but was mostly rugged hilly country and mountains in Arizona.
The film has some impressive scenes of explosions. Some consider it an anti-war film, and it fits that mold of most war movies that show the horrors, death, destruction and insanity of war.
It's a good film, but not great. War film buffs and those who enjoy history should enjoy it. Others, especially modern audiences used to fast and furious entertainment, may find it hard to sit through.
The best line in the film is from Alan Baxter who plays Gen. Loomis. After Stewart's character tells him that he had asked for the command, Loomis says, "You know what command is, major?" Maj. Baldwin replies, "Well, sir, the book says... " And Gen. Loomis says, "Command is power. Pure, simple, unlimited."
The film shows the challenges of military command and conflicts that the lead character, Major Baldwin has. James Stewart plays that part very well. His conflicts are different in that most of his decisions about blowing up bridges, roads and even buildings in villages affect hundreds of civilians.
All of the cast are very good in their roles. Among the most prominent are Lisa Lu who plays Madame Sue-Mei Hung, Harry Morgan who plays Staff Sgt. Mike Michaelson and Glenn Corbett who plays Collins.
An interesting aspect of this film is that there are no Japanese soldiers. The Americans never encounter the enemy. The film depicts some of the aspects of the Chinese culture that Major Baldwin had not yet learned. The terrain looked like it could have been filmed in China, but was mostly rugged hilly country and mountains in Arizona.
The film has some impressive scenes of explosions. Some consider it an anti-war film, and it fits that mold of most war movies that show the horrors, death, destruction and insanity of war.
It's a good film, but not great. War film buffs and those who enjoy history should enjoy it. Others, especially modern audiences used to fast and furious entertainment, may find it hard to sit through.
The best line in the film is from Alan Baxter who plays Gen. Loomis. After Stewart's character tells him that he had asked for the command, Loomis says, "You know what command is, major?" Maj. Baldwin replies, "Well, sir, the book says... " And Gen. Loomis says, "Command is power. Pure, simple, unlimited."
This is a rare film that criticizes the KMT in China's war with Japan in 1944. The KMT was fighting the CCP (Communists) at the same time they were fighting the Japanese. The CCP was fighting the Japanese as well. They are not even mentioned in the film. The Chinese Civil War started way before 1944. It was the KMT (Chiang Kai-Shek) against the CCP (Mao Zedong). It lasted until 1949, when the CCP finally won when the KMT retreated to Taiwan. The film itself, though, has some problems. There is really not too much suspense or tension in the film. Stewart is really miscast (he was more comfortable in Air Force films) as a demolition man. Harry Morgan is very good though, as is the rest of the cast, who rescue the film from Stewart. Other than Flying Tigers, I cannot remember one other well-made film about the Chinese in WW 2. Empire of the Sun was very good, but it was not really about China. The Last Emperor was very good, but it was more about Puyi than the Chinese in WW2. At least this film marks a shift away from the stereotypical portrayal of the Chinese we had seen in films prior to 1960. There were still a few stereotypes, but not as many as before. Interesting film.
- arthur_tafero
- Aug 2, 2018
- Permalink
I first saw this as a 16 year-old on its release in the UK, and have seen only glimpses on TV since. What I remember most is, having the year before seen "The Big Country", recognising the similarity of the scores as having the same composer in Jerome Moross (I had taken my seat after the opening credits). I felt quite pleased with myself at the time. I thought the movie to be much along the lines of earlier James Stewart/Anthony Mann classics, although with not quite the punch or pace. Harry Morgan's performance explains why he was never short of roles and why he became a stalwart member of the "MASH" brigade. Definitely worth another viewing.
- JamesHitchcock
- Jul 4, 2022
- Permalink
You might not have heard of this obscure war picture, The Mountain Road, but if you're a James Stewart fan you'll definitely want to check it out. He has a complicated character to portray, sometimes completely being the hero and sometimes acting like the villain. It's 1944 and he takes an undesirable commission in China for the sake of being in charge while he still can. He freely admits this, and there are times when he orders his men around and you can feel how much he loves having power. His assignment: demolition.
As he and his unit travel down the mountain road to reach the destination with all the American equipment and ammunition, they have lots of challenges. It's not just a simple drive - there are Chinese bandits, arguments among the men, and also a woman tagging along for the ride while endangering her own safety. She's a war widow with tons of wisdom and strength. Perhaps her perspective might be enough to soften Jimmy's edges, or at least help him figure out his purpose. In my favorite scene, he breaks down and cries, wondering why he's even bothering with the mission. One of his men was tragically killed, and he thinks it's all pointless.
In that scene, and in others, you'll see a very impressive performance from Lisa Lu in her first movie. There were many Asian actresses emerging right around that time, and unfortunately Lisa didn't become a big name. She certainly had the talent, though. You'll also see a very solid performance from James Stewart, and you'll hear a beautiful theme from Jerome Moross. Even though it sounds like outtakes from The Big Country, it's still lovely to listen to.
As he and his unit travel down the mountain road to reach the destination with all the American equipment and ammunition, they have lots of challenges. It's not just a simple drive - there are Chinese bandits, arguments among the men, and also a woman tagging along for the ride while endangering her own safety. She's a war widow with tons of wisdom and strength. Perhaps her perspective might be enough to soften Jimmy's edges, or at least help him figure out his purpose. In my favorite scene, he breaks down and cries, wondering why he's even bothering with the mission. One of his men was tragically killed, and he thinks it's all pointless.
In that scene, and in others, you'll see a very impressive performance from Lisa Lu in her first movie. There were many Asian actresses emerging right around that time, and unfortunately Lisa didn't become a big name. She certainly had the talent, though. You'll also see a very solid performance from James Stewart, and you'll hear a beautiful theme from Jerome Moross. Even though it sounds like outtakes from The Big Country, it's still lovely to listen to.
- HotToastyRag
- Jan 1, 2022
- Permalink
America has never really known what to make of the Chinese, but in this lengthy and ponderous screen version of Theodore White's 1958 novel made during The Great Leap Forward but set when Japan was the common enemy a Chinese officer could declare "America is China's best friend!"
American major Jimmy Stewart puts his ambivalence towards his current allies on hold while concentrating upon the more pressing business of blowing up bridges and ammunition dumps; while Frank Silvera as a Chinese colonel adds yet another string to his bow of miscellaneous but usually sinister ethnic types.
American major Jimmy Stewart puts his ambivalence towards his current allies on hold while concentrating upon the more pressing business of blowing up bridges and ammunition dumps; while Frank Silvera as a Chinese colonel adds yet another string to his bow of miscellaneous but usually sinister ethnic types.
- richardchatten
- May 9, 2020
- Permalink
- theowinthrop
- Jun 23, 2008
- Permalink
Enjoyed this film which was shown on TCM and I was very surprised to see that James Stewart, (Major Baldwin) starred in this film which is about a unit of American Engineers who were a demolition crew out to destroy a Chinese stockpile of weapons. These men had to travel on one mountain road which had plenty of these stockpiles to destroy in order to make certain the Japanese did not obtain any of these weapons. Major Baldwin runs into all kinds of problems, like a young Chinese woman named, Madame Sue-Mei Hung, (Lisa Lu) who was the wife of a Chinese General and he wanted her to travel with these American soldiers in order to secure her safety. Men get sick and there are many Chinese people who do not want the Americans blowing up this stockpile of weapons, as they can use them as a bargaining tool in order to secure food and shelter. There is even some romance going on between Madame Sue and Major Baldwin as he finds out her general husband was killed. Harry Morgan, (Sgt. Michaelson) gave a great supporting role along with Lisa Lu as the only woman in the picture. This film clearly points out the difficult problems that existed between American and Chinese relations during World War II. Great film to view, it is rather long and draw out, but we have to consider this film is from 1960.
I am a huge Jimmy Stewart fan. Yet this film left me cold. I think that the director and the screenplay conspire to not let him develop as a character. One time he is doing some poignant scene, where one thinks he has turned a corner in his short-sighted racist view of the larger world, and in moment, he goes right back to where he was. There's no carry-over. This film takes place in 1944 as the U. S. forces are in Chine, looking out for a tenuous ally. This particular group is a demolitions team whose purpose is to blow up roads and bridges and move on. The Japanese are very formidable and have decimated the Chinese people. Stewart expects the Chinese to act like Americans (Sound familiar?) but can't get them to follow his lead. Starvation and pain have a way of doing that. His relationship with a Chinese woman is the most interesting. I'm sure the cowardly film boards kept anything from happening. Once that factor in the film is thrown out, there is a skeleton left and it's not a very interesting one.
The Mountain Road is the story of an American Enginers destroying military stockpile ahead of a Japanese advance in late World War II. The corrupted Chinese Warlords refused to equip their men for the fight against the Japaneses and wanted to hoard so they could profit from the sale of gasoline and military supplies. One of the themes of the movie is the cultural clash between Americans and Chineses. One of the major difference between the two was the value of human life. I wish that this movie was available on DVD or VHS tape as I would like to have it for my collection. It is well worth while seeing to see one aspect of World War II in China.
- stevegoode1
- Aug 16, 2005
- Permalink
Major Baldwin (Stewart) has his first command in East China when he is put in charge of a demolition squad with orders to evacuate once a base has been destroyed to prevent its capture by the advancing Japanese. Along the way he discovers the power associated with command and the abuse temptation offers along with such power. He also encounters some unexpected romance when the widow of a Chinese general in need of evacuation joins his squad.
Unfortunately, as the group never comes into contact with the Japanese and is never in serious danger, we don't feel a lot of tension. Whatever threat there is comes from the Chinese themselves, from mobs of starving peasants to bands of wayward deserting marauders.
The most interesting feature of the film deals with the difference of customs. The pomp and ceremony important to Chinese is alien to the Americans just wanting to get down to the business at hand. Looking from different points of view, each side views the other as somewhat barbarous and inhumane and as a result never quite reach the level of friendship each would have.
Although Jerome Morass provides a spirited music score, it doesn't quite fit in with the action, or rather the lack of it. With an exception or two, the events on the screen just never generate much pathos, resulting in a not so poignant anti-war film.
Stewart, as always, is worth watching, Lisa Lu has charm, and Harry Morgan gives a preview of what would become his Colonel Potter M*A*S*H* character.
Unfortunately, as the group never comes into contact with the Japanese and is never in serious danger, we don't feel a lot of tension. Whatever threat there is comes from the Chinese themselves, from mobs of starving peasants to bands of wayward deserting marauders.
The most interesting feature of the film deals with the difference of customs. The pomp and ceremony important to Chinese is alien to the Americans just wanting to get down to the business at hand. Looking from different points of view, each side views the other as somewhat barbarous and inhumane and as a result never quite reach the level of friendship each would have.
Although Jerome Morass provides a spirited music score, it doesn't quite fit in with the action, or rather the lack of it. With an exception or two, the events on the screen just never generate much pathos, resulting in a not so poignant anti-war film.
Stewart, as always, is worth watching, Lisa Lu has charm, and Harry Morgan gives a preview of what would become his Colonel Potter M*A*S*H* character.
- matchettja
- Sep 26, 2008
- Permalink
- mark.waltz
- Jun 24, 2022
- Permalink
- rmax304823
- Sep 16, 2015
- Permalink
The gangly James Stewart doesn't seem to understand anything or anyone other than his own culture, and how to treat ladies in this film. His character is despicable, and there are times when he is downright racist saying 'I don't take advice from Chinese people any more'. He fails to take you on the journey with him, and you get the feeling that in 1960 at the age of 52, he is growing old and getting set in his ways. His characters seems to be fixed at this point in his career which is why there is very little room for him to grow as an actor. Only John Ford would take him to the next level in 'The Man who shot Liberty Valance' two years later.
- marthawilcox1831
- Jul 14, 2014
- Permalink
I have seen practically every film Jimmy Stewart made in his long and wonderful career. Somehow or other, I never saw this film and was surprised to see it was coming on--especially as I've never heard of it. Well, after seeing it, I can clearly see why this film is rarely seen or talked about, as it stinks.
Up until the amazingly confusing ending, it still wasn't a good film but at least was passable entertainment. Stewart plays a major who's in charge of a small group of demolitions experts whose mission is to slow down the Japanese invasion. Despite the importance of the mission, I was surprised how many of Stewart's men seemed like unprofessional whiners. I would think that anyone who really did this job would be offended by this far less than heroic image--and these men must have been very brave and dedicated in real life.
Into this motley crew comes a Chinese colonel and the wife of an executed Chinese general--who tag along for part of the mission. Having the lady there in the middle of war and with a group of desperate men seemed to make little sense. It made even less sense when inexplicably, she and Stewart completely out of the blue are in a bit of a romance. And it made yet less sense when she behaved the way she did late in the film, as she came off as sanctimonious and confusing. Stewart's character also made little sense late in the film, as he went from being a decent leader to Captain Ahab's less stable brother!! In fact, by the end of the film, the whole thing just degenerated into a mess--with everyone bickering and killing and complaining. Wow, how inspiring!! My advice is that unless you are a completist who wants to see every one of Stewart's films, this one is amazingly skip-able. Also in this same category would be POT 'O GOLD, THE MAGIC OF LASSIE and AN American TALE: FIVEL GOES WEST. Even great actors can't win 'em all!
Up until the amazingly confusing ending, it still wasn't a good film but at least was passable entertainment. Stewart plays a major who's in charge of a small group of demolitions experts whose mission is to slow down the Japanese invasion. Despite the importance of the mission, I was surprised how many of Stewart's men seemed like unprofessional whiners. I would think that anyone who really did this job would be offended by this far less than heroic image--and these men must have been very brave and dedicated in real life.
Into this motley crew comes a Chinese colonel and the wife of an executed Chinese general--who tag along for part of the mission. Having the lady there in the middle of war and with a group of desperate men seemed to make little sense. It made even less sense when inexplicably, she and Stewart completely out of the blue are in a bit of a romance. And it made yet less sense when she behaved the way she did late in the film, as she came off as sanctimonious and confusing. Stewart's character also made little sense late in the film, as he went from being a decent leader to Captain Ahab's less stable brother!! In fact, by the end of the film, the whole thing just degenerated into a mess--with everyone bickering and killing and complaining. Wow, how inspiring!! My advice is that unless you are a completist who wants to see every one of Stewart's films, this one is amazingly skip-able. Also in this same category would be POT 'O GOLD, THE MAGIC OF LASSIE and AN American TALE: FIVEL GOES WEST. Even great actors can't win 'em all!
- planktonrules
- Feb 15, 2009
- Permalink
Intriguing wartime character studies. Outstanding characters abound. Stewart's romance with the Asian female lead is very poignant. Harry Morgan and Mike Kellin give outstanding character support - in fact the whole cast does, including a young James Best, looking hunky, well before his Dukes of Hazzard days.
- aromatic-2
- Sep 5, 1999
- Permalink
- bombersflyup
- Dec 18, 2023
- Permalink
Watching this film with jimmy stewart as a driven military man was interesting. I have always thought of stewart in the role in Harvey or its a wonderful life.
Stewarts characters struggle with power and his obsession to accomplish his objective was fun to watch. This film is worth the time spent and includes some great character actors of this period. I think it deserves its 6.6 overall rating.
Watching this movie develop reminded me of recent events in europe and made the film seem timely despite its age.
Stewarts characters struggle with power and his obsession to accomplish his objective was fun to watch. This film is worth the time spent and includes some great character actors of this period. I think it deserves its 6.6 overall rating.
Watching this movie develop reminded me of recent events in europe and made the film seem timely despite its age.
Never heard of this movie before but Mountain Road is a very engrossing movie about a relatively unknown theatre of WW2 taking place in China during the end of the Japanese occupation. Stewart is excellent in the lead as is the entire cast with special mention to Lisa Lu a Chinese /American actress in a rare lead role. Lots of twists and turns with a bit of a pacifist message as well. Hard-hitting in it's depictions of the suffering and depravity that can occur due to a country being torn apart by war.
- nelsonhodgie
- Aug 1, 2020
- Permalink