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Take the High Ground! poster

Take the High Ground!

1953 · 1h 41m · Comedy, Drama, War · United States of America

From its rowdy, ribald horse-play, to its rousing marching song... from its hard-boiled hates and slugging feuds to its tough-but tender love story... this is a drama of our times... exciting, exalting, young, brave and alive!

Sgt. Thorne Ryan, who once fought bravely in Korea, now serves as a hard-nosed drill instructor to new Army recruits at Fort Bliss, Texas. But is he really the man he is often described as? His fellow instructor, and friend helps him to face the ghosts of his past experiences in Korea. One night in a bar across the border in Juarez, Mexico, Sgt. Ryan meets a lady who begins to turn his life around. Will this be enough to help him deal with the past? Or will he continue to be so hard on his troops?

Directed by
Richard Brooks
Written by
Millard Kaufman
Story by
Millard Kaufman
Starring
Richard Widmark, Karl Malden, Elaine Stewart, Carleton Carpenter
6.1Smart score

The TMDB rating, pulled toward the movie average (6.03) as if it had 82 extra average votes. Few votes means more pull.

TMDB6.2

13 TMDB votes · IMDb page

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Not available to stream, rent or buy in United States.

Streaming data by JustWatch, via TMDB. Links open the JustWatch listing for United States.

Style & content

drill instructor

Keywords from TMDB.

Connected through the crew

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof1958 · Writer Richard Brooks, Director Richard BrooksKey Largo1948 · Writer Richard BrooksIn Cold Blood1967 · Writer Richard Brooks, Director Richard BrooksThe Killers1946 · Writer Richard BrooksBad Day at Black Rock1955 · Writer Millard KaufmanThe Professionals1966 · Writer Richard Brooks, Director Richard BrooksBirdman of Alcatraz1962 · Cinematographer John AltonGun Crazy1950 · Writer Millard KaufmanFather of the Bride1950 · Cinematographer John AltonBrute Force1947 · Writer Richard BrooksElmer Gantry1960 · Writer Richard Brooks, Director Richard BrooksThe Big Combo1955 · Cinematographer John Alton

Browse lists

Best Drama Movies of the 1950sBest Comedy Movies of the 1950sBest War Movies of the 1950sBest Drama Movies of All TimeBest Comedy Movies of All TimeBest War Movies of All Time