Mark Hamill Stars In War Movie That Nobody Remembers
Mark Hamill starred in The Big Red One, a 1980 war movie that deserves a second look.
Released in 1980, The Big Red One is a forgotten gem of a war picture that features a then-rising star, Mark Hamill. Despite its critical acclaim and Hamill’s moving portrayal of a World War II infantryman, the movie has slipped into relative obscurity over the decades. The film’s lack of recognition can be attributed to a multitude of factors, notably the all-consuming popularity of Hamill’s Star Wars role, along with the film’s release during an era saturated with war-themed cinema.
The Big Red One follows an unnamed sergeant (Lee Marvin), a veteran of World War I, who guides his troops from the U.S. First Infantry Division through the rigorous ordeals of World War II. His squad is comprised of a variety of characters, including the tormented sharpshooter Private Griff (Mark Hamill), pulp-fiction writer Private Zab (Rob Carradine), Sicilian Private Vinci (Bobby Di Cicco), and medical expert Private Johnson (Kelly Ward). Facing the brutal realities of war, these soldiers experience combat in North Africa and Sicily, participate in the D-Day landings, and contribute to the liberation of a Nazi concentration camp.
Directed by Samuel Fuller, The Big Red One was born out of Fuller’s own war experiences, as he served in the 1st Infantry Division. Budget constraints, however, led to a scaled-back version of Fuller’s expansive original script. Despite the trimmed script, Mark Hamill and his co-stars successfully portrayed the visceral reality of the soldiers’ experiences, adding credibility to the narrative.
The Big Red One garnered significant critical acclaim for its raw and unflinching representation of World War II. Moreover, Mark Hamill received heaps of praise for his portrayal of a troubled marksman, a character distinctly different from his famed role as Luke Skywalker in Star Wars. However, despite its critical triumph, the film didn’t resonate with a broader audience.
Despite its critical acclaim, The Big Red One did not fare well commercially, indicating its status as an overlooked cinematic piece. The film, with a modest budget of $4 million, only succeeded in grossing $7.2 million at the box office. A substantial portion of the film’s budget was probably allocated to Mark Hamill, who had recently emerged from the monumental success of Star Wars, which became the highest-grossing movie of all time just a few years earlier.
In 2004, The Big Red One experienced a major transformation when a reconstructed version was released, breathing new life into the cinematic classic. This version, which closely aligns with director Samuel Fuller’s original conceptual vision, incorporated approximately 50 minutes of footage that had initially been excluded, providing audiences with a more profound and immersive understanding of the storyline. Notably, Mark Hamill made a return for the voice-over work in this enhanced version, thus contributing significantly to the realization of Fuller’s comprehensive narrative and ensuring that this in-depth portrayal of wartime experiences could connect with audiences in a much more effective and impactful manner.
Sadly, even with its updated version, The Big Red One continues to remain an underappreciated gem. However, it’s never too late to discover this wartime masterpiece, which offers a compelling narrative and a remarkable performance by Mark Hamill. Currently, you can stream this classic film free of charge on Tubi.
