Up from the Beach

Up from the Beach is a 1965 American war film directed by Robert Wise. The movie is set during the Normandy landing of World War II, portraying events from June 6 to June 12, 1944. The movie stars Cliff Robertson as Lieutenant Colonel John A. Wyman, Red Buttons as Tech Sergeant James Frederick August, and Irina Demick as Madeleine.

The plot of the movie revolves around the men of the 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, who are tasked with capturing and holding the strategic city of Sainte-Mère-Église in Normandy, France. The battalion is composed of both seasoned veterans and green recruits, who are faced with the daunting task of landing on a hostile beach and fighting their way to the city.

As the men land on the beach, they are immediately met with a barrage of German artillery and machine-gun fire, resulting in a bloodbath on the beach. Wyman leads his men through the chaos, and they eventually manage to reach the city, which has been infiltrated by German paratroopers.

The soldiers engage in intense house-to-house combat, with the Germans putting up a fierce resistance. August, who is tasked with clearing out snipers from a church tower, is injured when his flamethrower explodes. Wyman orders his men to retreat, but August is left behind and presumed dead.

Throughout the movie, the men face both physical and emotional challenges, with many of them struggling to come to terms with the violence they have witnessed. Madeleine, a French woman who has been living in the city, provides a source of comfort for Wyman, who is struggling with his own inner demons.

As the fighting intensifies, Wyman must rally his troops and lead them in a final assault on the German positions. The climactic battle is a brutal and harrowing portrayal of the horrors of war, with both sides suffering heavy casualties.

In the end, Wyman and his men emerge victorious, but at a tremendous cost. The movie ends with Wyman contemplating the futility of war and the toll it takes on those who fight it.

Up from the Beach is a powerful and visceral depiction of the Normandy landing and the ensuing battle for Saint-Mère-Église. The movie is both a tribute to the bravery of those who fought in the war and a reminder of the devastating effects of violence and conflict. With its impressive cast, stunning cinematography, and gripping storyline, Up from the Beach is a must-see for fans of war movies and historical dramas.