The Big Lift (1950)

When originally released in 1950, The Big Lift must have had significant impact upon its audience, many of whom were veterans who had first hand experience of combat with Germany and with the conditions of Berlin during the war and soon after. That sense of immediacy and the connection that it brought probably enhanced considerably the experience of Lift; without that, the picture is an average but not outstanding war-related drama, the Cold War era propaganda leanings of which are more evident from several decades on. None of that is to say that Lift is bad, mind you; parts of it are quite effective. But the film lacks cohesion, being one part semi-documentary and one part personal romance story, and the two parts don't fit together in a dramatically satisfying way. Much of the documentary style part of the film is still fascinating, from the details around flight protocol to the actual footage of Berlin at the time the film was shot. The main plot surrounding Montgomery Clift has not aged as well; there's not enough character or relationship development (although the revelation of Frederica's past is quite effective). Clift is quite good, though, as is Paul Douglas, whose anti-German soldier is surprisingly frank for the period. Even better are Cornell Borchers and O.E. Hasse, and there should also be positive mention of Bruni Loebel's pleasing work. Not a great film by any means, but worth a viewing, especially for history buffs. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide