Time Limit

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"This is the face of war you've never seen before!"
  • NR
  • 1957
  • 1 hr 36 min
  • 7.3  (1,264)

Time Limit is a 1957 war drama film directed by Karl Malden that stars Richard Widmark, Richard Basehart and Dolores Michaels. The film was based on a novel by former World War II prisoner of war, Henry Denker. The film was released during the height of the cold war era and became a hit among both critics and audiences. The plot of Time Limit revolves around the investigations of a highly decorated United States Army officer, Colonel William Edwards (Richard Widmark) who has just returned from the Korean War after being captured and held as a prisoner of war for almost two years by the North Korean army. Upon his return, Edwards is introduced to a new prisoner of war, Lieutenant Colonel Harry Cargill (Richard Basehart) who is being interrogated about his conduct as a prisoner of war in a communist prison camp during the Korean War.

As the investigation into Cargill's conduct progresses, it becomes clear that the allegations against him are serious and could lead to his execution. Despite this, Cargill refuses to provide any information that could be used against him or his men. In order to prove his innocence, Cargill is forced to delve into his own past and confront his memories of being a prisoner of war.

As the film progresses, it becomes clear that Colonel Edwards is not convinced of Cargill's guilt and begins to look into the allegations himself. Moreover, with the help of his assistant, Cpl. Swanson (Rip Torn), Edwards delves deep into Cargill's psyche and past to uncover the truth.

Throughout the film, we see Colonel Edwards interviewing several soldiers, claiming to have first-hand knowledge of Cargill's crimes. These interviews are interspersed with flashbacks of Harry's experiences in a North Korean prison camp, revealing what Harry believed to be his good behavior, efforts to maintain morale among other POWs, and his unsuccessful escape attempts. Ultimately, the flashbacks reveal that Harry has doubts about his own conduct as a prisoner of war, and these doubts drive the plot tension higher.

Without giving away any spoilers, the final act of the film is a nail-biting, suspense-filled race towards the truth, as the investigation and trial come to a head.

The performances by Richard Widmark and Richard Basehart are remarkable. Widmark portrays Colonel Edwards as a man of integrity who is determined to uncover the truth no matter the cost. Basehart gives an outstanding performance as Harry Cargill - a man who is loyal, brave, and determined to clear his name.

Dolores Michaels, who plays Laura Edwards, Colonel Edwards's wife, is also noteworthy. She provides great support to Edwards and provides a strong female character that adds depth to the film.

The movie is shot in black and white, and its style of storytelling is somewhat dated, but it is still a powerful drama that resonates with war films of the era.

Overall, Time Limit is a compelling film that explores themes of loyalty, integrity, and justice. The acting is excellent, the storyline gripping, and the suspense intense. It is a classic from the golden age of Hollywood, and a must-watch for fans of the war and drama genres alike.

Time Limit is a 1957 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 36 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3.

Time Limit
Description
Where to Watch Time Limit
Time Limit is available to watch, stream, download and on demand at Amazon Prime, Apple TV Channels, FuboTV, The Roku Channel and MGM+. Some platforms allow you to rent Time Limit for a limited time or purchase the movie and download it to your device.
  • Release Date
    1957
  • MPAA Rating
    NR
  • Runtime
    1 hr 36 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    7.3  (1,264)