Watch The Men

Set in post-World War II America, "The Men" portrays the struggles of a group of paraplegic veterans who are recovering at a hospital in the United States. Amongst those veterans is Ken Wilcheck, played by Marlon Brando. Wilcheck struggles to come to terms with his condition and the fact that his military service has left him paralyzed from the waist down. He's angry, resentful and feels trapped by his condition. Wilcheck's anger and frustration often get the better of him, and he frequently clashes with the other patients at the hospital, especially Leo, played by Everett Sloane.

Leo is the hospital's longest-term patient, and he has come to accept his condition. He's even opened up about his experience as a paraplegic in a book, which he offers to Wilcheck to read. Through Leo's story, Wilcheck becomes aware of the possibility of living a fulfilling life despite the physical limitations.

But it's not just his new friend's book that helps Wilcheck overcome his anger and depression, but also the arrival of his fiancé, Ellen, played by Teresa Wright. Initially sceptical of Wilcheck's condition, she's shocked to see him confined to a wheelchair. However, she comes to understand his predicament and support him in his transition.

Wright's character, Ellen, is central to the narrative of "The Men." Although the movie follows the struggles of the paraplegic veterans, it also places particular emphasis on the plight of the women who love and take care of these individuals. In Ellen, we see a picture of a devoted, patient partner who stands by her man in the most trying of times.

As well as a story of emotional hardship, "The Men" also delves into the political realities of disabled vets in post-war America. The hospital's administrator, Dr. Brock, draws attention to the issues of funding, representation, and care for the nation's disabled vets. The portrayal of the hospital's administrator and the ex-military patients serves as a microcosm for the broader issue of veteran care on a national level.

Another aspect that's interesting in this movie is the non-stereotypical portrayal of veteran patients. The Men offers a rare insight into the lives of severely injured veterans and convincingly highlights the complex emotional and psychological aspects of their conditions. Instead of portraying the patients as either demoralized victims or unemotional heroes, the narrative constructs each character as an individual with faults and imperfections that exist outside their conditions' purview.

Overall, "The Men" is a poignant and insightful movie that offers a unique perspective on the plight of disabled veterans in the United States. It's a memorable performance by a young Marlon Brando, as well as the rest of the cast that heightens the impact of the story. Through its vivid characters and nuanced portrayals, "The Men" conveys the message that disabilities do not have to be limiting to live a full life.

The Men is a 1950 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 25 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1.