Time Limit (film)
Encyclopedia
Time Limit is a 1957
legal drama film directed by Karl Malden
, his only directing credit. In his autobiography, Malden stated that "he preferred being a good actor to being a fairly good director."
) is investigating the case of Major Harry Cargill (Richard Basehart
), accused of collaborating with the enemy while he and his unit were held captive in a North Korea
n prisoner of war
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 the radio, seemingly an act of treason
.
It seems to be an open and shut case, were it not for Cargill's inexplicable refusal to defend himself. Arousing further suspicion is the fact that his collaboration immediately followed the deaths of two of his soldiers, and the surviving members in the unit all recite an identical, rehearsed account of those deaths. Edwards' commander, General Connors (Carl Benton Reid
), has a strong personal interest - his son, Captain Joe Connors (Yale Wexler), was one of the two deaths - and presses Edwards to recommend a court-martial
, but Edwards delves into the mystery, refusing to accept the facile explanations.
In the end, the shocking truth comes out. Lieutenant George Miller (Rip Torn
) reveals that after Lieutenant Harvey (Manning Ross) was killed trying to escape, the rest of the men discovered that, under torture, Captain Connors had betrayed him. Over Cargill's strong objections, they decided to execute Connors; Miller picked the short straw
and had to strangle him. Meanwhile, their captor, Colonel Kim (Khigh Dhiegh), had given Cargill an ultimatum: give in, or all his men would be executed.
General Connors is crushed that his son collaborated and calls him a traitor. Cargill argues with Connors' assessment, stating that there must be a time limit on being a hero. He denounces "the Code" for demanding too much from soldiers, but General Connors reminds him that while Cargill anguished over the lives and families of 16 men, that many commanders had to anguish over the effect of their orders on the lives and families of thousands. Edwards agrees with General Connors that although Cargill acted out of a humane selflessness, Cargill's judgment was flawed. He recommends that all charges be dropped, but advising Cargill that although there will be a court-martial, he will defend him. Maybe they won't come up with all the answers, Edwards tells him, but "they'll know we asked the questions".
It was also his 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 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
, released in 1959.) One reviewer praised the movie for its "taut direction and vigorous performances drawn not only from principals, but a supporting cast of promising new-comers."
Most of the film was shot on location at Fort Jay
on Governors Island
, New York
; additional scenes were also shot at the Conejo Ranch near Agoura, California
.
1957 in film
The year 1957 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* October 21 - The movie Jailhouse Rock, starring Elvis Presley, opens.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue-Awards:...
legal drama film directed by Karl Malden
Karl Malden
Karl Malden was an American actor. In a career that spanned more than seven decades, he performed in such classic films as A Streetcar Named Desire, for which he won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, On the Waterfront and One-Eyed Jacks...
, his only directing credit. In his autobiography, Malden stated that "he preferred being a good actor to being a fairly good director."
Plot
Army Colonel William Edwards (Richard WidmarkRichard Widmark
Richard Weedt Widmark was an American film, stage and television actor.He was nominated for an Academy Award for his role as the villainous Tommy Udo in his debut film, Kiss of Death...
) is investigating the case of Major Harry Cargill (Richard Basehart
Richard Basehart
John Richard Basehart was an American actor. He starred in the 1960s television science fiction drama Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, in the role of Admiral Harriman Nelson.-Career:...
), accused of collaborating with the enemy while he and his unit were held captive in a North Korea
North Korea
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea , , is a country in East Asia, occupying the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Pyongyang. The Korean Demilitarized Zone serves as the buffer zone between North Korea and South Korea...
n prisoner of war
Prisoner of war
A prisoner of war or enemy prisoner of war is a person, whether civilian or combatant, who is held in custody by an enemy power during or immediately after an armed conflict...
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 the radio, seemingly an act of treason
Treason
In law, treason is the crime that covers some of the more extreme acts against one's sovereign or nation. Historically, treason also covered the murder of specific social superiors, such as the murder of a husband by his wife. Treason against the king was known as high treason and treason against a...
.
It seems to be an open and shut case, were it not for Cargill's inexplicable refusal to defend himself. Arousing further suspicion is the fact that his collaboration immediately followed the deaths of two of his soldiers, and the surviving members in the unit all recite an identical, rehearsed account of those deaths. Edwards' commander, General Connors (Carl Benton Reid
Carl Benton Reid
Carl Benton Reid was an American actor. He achieved fame on the Broadway stage in 1939 as Oscar Hubbard, one of Regina Giddens's greedy, devious brothers in the play The Little Foxes, and made his film debut reprising his role opposite Bette Davis in the 1941 film version...
), has a strong personal interest - his son, Captain Joe Connors (Yale Wexler), was one of the two deaths - and presses Edwards to recommend a court-martial
Court-martial
A court-martial is a military court. A court-martial is empowered to determine the guilt of members of the armed forces subject to military law, and, if the defendant is found guilty, to decide upon punishment.Most militaries maintain a court-martial system to try cases in which a breach of...
, but Edwards delves into the mystery, refusing to accept the facile explanations.
In the end, the shocking truth comes out. Lieutenant George Miller (Rip Torn
Rip Torn
Elmore Rual "Rip" Torn, Jr. , is an American actor of stage, screen and television.Torn received an Academy Award nomination as Best Supporting Actor for his role in the 1983 film Cross Creek. His work includes the role of Artie, the producer, on The Larry Sanders Show, for which he was nominated...
) reveals that after Lieutenant Harvey (Manning Ross) was killed trying to escape, the rest of the men discovered that, under torture, Captain Connors had betrayed him. Over Cargill's strong objections, they decided to execute Connors; Miller picked the short straw
Drawing straws
Drawing straws is a selection method that is used by a group to choose one member of the group to perform a task after none has volunteered for it...
and had to strangle him. Meanwhile, their captor, Colonel Kim (Khigh Dhiegh), had given Cargill an ultimatum: give in, or all his men would be executed.
General Connors is crushed that his son collaborated and calls him a traitor. Cargill argues with Connors' assessment, stating that there must be a time limit on being a hero. He denounces "the Code" for demanding too much from soldiers, but General Connors reminds him that while Cargill anguished over the lives and families of 16 men, that many commanders had to anguish over the effect of their orders on the lives and families of thousands. Edwards agrees with General Connors that although Cargill acted out of a humane selflessness, Cargill's judgment was flawed. He recommends that all charges be dropped, but advising Cargill that although there will be a court-martial, he will defend him. Maybe they won't come up with all the answers, Edwards tells him, but "they'll know we asked the questions".
Cast
- Richard WidmarkRichard WidmarkRichard Weedt Widmark was an American film, stage and television actor.He was nominated for an Academy Award for his role as the villainous Tommy Udo in his debut film, Kiss of Death...
as Colonel William Edwards - Richard BasehartRichard BasehartJohn Richard Basehart was an American actor. He starred in the 1960s television science fiction drama Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, in the role of Admiral Harriman Nelson.-Career:...
as Major Harry Cargill - Dolores MichaelsDolores MichaelsDolores Rae Michaels was an American actress.-Biography:She was born in Kansas City, Missouri, to Esther Marie "Essie" and Raymond Roscoe "Ray" Michaels .Her father was at one-time a professional baseball player who spent time as a catcher in the Chicago Cubs...
as Corporal Jean Evans - June LockhartJune LockhartJune Lockhart is an American actress, primarily in 1950s and 1960s television, but with memorable performances on stage and in film too. She is remembered as the mother in two TV series, Lassie and Lost in Space. She also portrayed Dr...
as Mrs. Cargill - Carl Benton ReidCarl Benton ReidCarl Benton Reid was an American actor. He achieved fame on the Broadway stage in 1939 as Oscar Hubbard, one of Regina Giddens's greedy, devious brothers in the play The Little Foxes, and made his film debut reprising his role opposite Bette Davis in the 1941 film version...
as General Connors - Martin BalsamMartin BalsamMartin Henry Balsam was an American actor. He is known for his Oscar-winning role as "Arnold Burns" in A Thousand Clowns and his role as "Detective Milton Arbogast" in Psycho.- Early life :...
as Sergeant Baker - Rip TornRip TornElmore Rual "Rip" Torn, Jr. , is an American actor of stage, screen and television.Torn received an Academy Award nomination as Best Supporting Actor for his role in the 1983 film Cross Creek. His work includes the role of Artie, the producer, on The Larry Sanders Show, for which he was nominated...
as Lieutenant George Miller - Khigh Dhiegh as Colonel Kim (as Kaie Deei)
- Yale Wexler as Captain Joe Connors
- Alan Dexter as Mike
- Manning Ross as Lieutenant Harvey
- Joe Di Reda as Gus (as Joe Di Rida)
- James DouglasJames Douglas (actor)James Douglas is an American actor probably best known for his role as Grant Colman on As the World Turns ....
as Steve - Kenneth Alton as Boxer
- Jack Webster as Lieutenant Harper
Production
In addition to playing the lead, Richard Widmark also co-produced Time Limit. Widmark reportedly paid $100,000 to The Theatre Guild for the film rights to the play Time Limit. It was the first picture for Widmark's independent production company, Heath Productions, Inc.It was also his 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 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
Delmer Daves
Delmer Daves was an American screenwriter, director, and producer.-Life and career:Born in San Francisco, Delmer Daves first pursued a career as a lawyer...
in The Hanging Tree
The Hanging Tree
The Hanging Tree is a 1959 movie directed by Delmer Daves. Karl Malden took over directing duties for several days when Daves fell ill. The film stars Gary Cooper, Maria Schell, George C...
, released in 1959.) One reviewer praised the movie for its "taut direction and vigorous performances drawn not only from principals, but a supporting cast of promising new-comers."
Most of the film was shot on location at Fort Jay
Fort Jay
Fort Jay is a harbor fortification and the name of the former Army post located on Governors Island in New York Harbor. Fort Jay is the oldest defensive structure on the island, built to defend Upper New York Bay, but has served other purposes...
on Governors Island
Governors Island
Governors Island is a island in Upper New York Bay, approximately one-half mile from the southern tip of Manhattan Island and separated from Brooklyn by Buttermilk Channel. It is legally part of the borough of Manhattan in New York City...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
; additional scenes were also shot at the Conejo Ranch near Agoura, California
Agoura, California
Agoura is an unincorporated area of Los Angeles County, which is located southeast of the city of Agoura Hills, California, adjacent to the city of Calabasas in Los Angeles County. Agoura was the historical name of the area, before much of the area was developed and before the incorporation of the...
.