Time Limit (film)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Time Limit | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Directed by | Karl Malden |
| Produced by | Richard Widmark William H. Reynolds |
| Written by | Henry Denker |
| Starring | Richard Widmark Richard Basehart Dolores Michaels June Lockhart Carl Benton Reid Martin Balsam Rip Torn Kaie Deei Yale Wexler Alan Dexter Manning Ross |
| Music by | Fred Steiner |
| Cinematography | Sam Leavitt |
| Editing by | Aaron Stell |
| Distributed by | United Artists |
| Release date(s) | October 23, 1957 (U.S. release) |
| Running time | 96 min. |
| Language | English |
Time Limit is a 1957 court room drama directed by actor Karl Malden, it would be his only directing credit. In his autoboigraphy, Malden stated that "he preferred being a good actor to being a fairly good director."
The picture revolved around Army Colonel William Edwards (Widmark) who is investigating the case of Major Harry Cargill (Basehart), accused of collaborating with the North Korean enemies while he and his unit were held captive in a Korean POW camp. Cargill willingly admits his guilt, and brings forth evidence that proves that he signed a germ-warfare confession, and broadcast anti-American speeches over Korean radio, seemingly an act of treason. In fact, it would be a simple open and shut case were it not for Cargill's refusal to defend himself. Arousing further suspicion is the fact that his collaboration with the enemy immediately followed the death of two of his own soldiers, and the surviving members in the unit all recite an identical, rehearsed account of those deaths. Under enormous pressure to take his depositions and press for a swift court-martial, Edwards delves into the mystery, refusing to accept superficial explanations for the events in question until the truth is finally revealed by Lieutenant George Miller (Torn), it sheds light onto a completely new mark-up of Cargill's behavior.
[edit] Plot
In a North Korean prison camp in 1951, an American soldier is shot by Korean soldiers as he tries to escape. A few years later, in his military law offices on Governor's Island in New York, Col. Bill Edwards is under pressure from his superior, Gen. Connors, to wrap up a seemingly obvious case of treason against the ranking American officer at the prison camp, Maj. Harry Cargill. Bill interviews one of Cargill's soldiers, Lt. George Miller, who recounts that during nine months of starvation and torture, not one man broke under the strain, but then, in rapid succession, two men died and Cargill became a Communist collaborator. Miller recalls the day that Cargill broke: After once again being placed in the hold by ruthless Col. Kim, Cargill returns to his men and begins spouting Communist doctrine, convincing them that he has gone over to the enemy. Miller continues that they were shocked and horrified, especially after learning later that Cargill had signed a confession about the Americans' use of germ warfare and made radio broadcasts supporting Communism.
When Bill questions Miller about the deaths of the two soldiers, Lt. Harvey and Capt. Joe Connors, the general's son, Miller states that they died of dysentery, and provides a scientific explanation of the illness. Declaring his confusion at Cargill's treachery, Miller remembers the major reciting at the lieutenant's graveside, "My brother died that I may live." Just then, the general enters and, upon learning that Miller was friendly with Joe, invites him to lunch. After Connors leaves, Bill's aide, Sgt. Baker, chastises his boss for wasting time on the case, which is not only "open and shut" but also has personal significance to the general. After Bill dismisses Baker, Cargill arrives and tersely confesses to all the charges against him, including one Bill knows he did not commit. Bill demands to know why he confessed to something he did not do, and urges the major to help mount his own defense, but Cargill remains silent. Before allowing him to leave, Bill plays Cargill's treasonous radio broadcast, noting the major's building anxiety. After Cargill leaves, Bill works on the case all night, hoping to solve the mystery of why the formerly exemplary officer "broke," and in the morning, Bill's secretary, Cpl. Jean Evans, protects him from Baker's intrusions. Bill then visits Cargill's wife, who lets him in reluctantly but agrees to talk upon realizing that Bill believes in her husband. She reveals that Cargill has not discussed the prison camp with her, and has indeed barely talked to her at all in the time he has been back from Korea. At Bill's questioning, she finally remembers one quote from a letter Cargill wrote her, which she hopes may be useful: "He who kills one man kills a whole world. How many worlds have I killed?" Back in Bill's office, Cargill is waiting for their next appointment.
Before letting him in, Bill discusses the case with Jean, fretting over the differences between the traitor depicted in his files and the sensitive soul described by Mrs. Cargill. Jean points out that each witness described dysentery in the exact same words, which suggests that they each memorized a statement to recite. Just then, Gen. Connors returns to rebuke Bill once again for prolonging the case, calling for an immediate court-martial. After Bill politely refuses, Baker verbally attacks the waiting Cargill for putting Bill's job in jeopardy through his refusal to speak. Jean agrees, urging Cargill to tell the truth, but Cargill responds that sometimes the truth can be more vicious than a lie. He tells her that any man's mind will "turn to water" when enough pressure is applied to it, after which he will be called a coward. Bill returns, and although he pushes Cargill to explain why he suddenly became a collaborator after months of resistance, the major remains silent. Later, Bill calls Miller back and, bringing Jean, Baker and Cargill into the office with them, has the boy repeat his testimony about the dysentery deaths. When Miller falters over some of the words, Bill prompts him by reading from the records, proving that Miller is reciting by rote. Realizing he has been caught lying, Miller breaks down, revealing the truth about Connors' death: After Harvey is killed by the guards while trying to escape, the rest of the men discover that Connors tipped off Kim, under torture, that Harvey was planning to escape. The men decide to kill the "stool pigeon," despite Cargill's entreaties not to, and draw straws to choose a murderer. Miller draws the short straw, and despite Connors' screams for mercy, strangles him. Back in the office, Miller weeps that he had no choice, and Bill destroys the record of his confession, instructing him that no charges will be filed against him. Cargill still refuses to explain his own treason, insisting that his story can only hurt the rest of the men who survived Kim's constant torture.
As Miller becomes hysterical, the general enters and hears the lieutenant condemn his son, until Bill punches Miller to keep him quiet. Connors, however, insists on knowing the truth about Joe, and when Cargill will not speak, excoriates the major as a liar and coward. Unable to stand by, Bill breaks in and reveals the truth to Connors, who sadly denounces his son. Cargill argues with Connors' assessment, stating that there must be a time limit on being a hero. Joe, he says, was a hero for hundreds of days and a coward for only one, so why must he be judged for that one day? Finally, Cargill reveals his own "cowardice": After Joe's death, Kim told him to capitulate or all his men would be killed, and unable to sacrifice his men, Cargill submitted. More gently, Connors defends the military code of honor, pointing out that every military leader is faced with the responsibility of sacrificing some men for the greater good, and cannot rely on his emotions but only on the code, "our bible." He leaves, calling for Bill to recommend a court-martial, but instead Bill files a recommendation that all changes be dropped. He tells Cargill that this will not save him from a trial, but that he will personally stand as his defense lawyer. As Cargill leaves, relieved that finally at least one person understands his choice, Bill sends his regards to Mrs. Cargill.
[edit] Trivia
- In addition to playing the lead, Richard Widmark also co-produced Time Limit and it was the actor's idea to have his friend and colleague, Karl Malden, direct it. In a 1988 interview about the film, Malden said, "Widmark thought I'd be good directing it, and I said 'Sure, I'd take a crack at it.' I liked what it had to say." Critics liked what it had to say, too, and gave Malden good reviews for his first directorial effort (It turned out to be his only directing credit with the exception of some scenes he filmed for Delmer Daves in The Hanging Tree, 1959). One reviewer praised the movie for it's "taut direction and vigorous performances drawn not only from principals, but a supporting cast of promising new-comers."
- Richard Widmark had reportedly paid $100,000 to The Theatre Guild for the film rights to the play Time Limit. The film adaptation of the play marked the first picture for Widmark's independent production company, Heath Productions, Inc. It also marked the directorial debut of actor Karl Malden.
- Most of the film was shot on location at Fort Jay on Governor's Island, New York, additional scenes were also shot at the Conejo Ranch near Agoura, CA.
