Shell Shock (also known as 82nd Marines Attack) is a 1964 American B-movie war drama directed and co-written by John Hayes, produced by and starring Beach Dickerson. The film is set in Italy during World War II and follows a sergeant who suspects one of his men is faking battle fatigue (shell shock).
Details
| Attribute | Information |
|---|---|
| Directed by | John Hayes |
| Written by | Randy Fields, John Hayes |
| Produced by | Beach Dickerson |
| Music by | Jaime Mendoza-Nava |
| Production company | Exclusive International Pictures |
| Distributed by | Parade Releasing Organization |
| Release date | 1964 |
| Running time | 84 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Plot
On the front in Italy during World War II, a hardened sergeant named Rance (Beach Dickerson) believes that Private Johnny Wade (Carl Crow) is faking battle fatigue (shell shock) to avoid combat. The sergeant sets out to expose him, leading to tension and conflict within the patrol as they struggle to survive behind enemy lines.
Cast
- Beach Dickerson as Sergeant Rance
- Carl Crow as Private Johnny Wade
- Frank Leo as Gil Evans
- Pamela Grey as Maria
- William Guhl as Wrigley
- Max Huber as Major
- Dolores Faith as American girl
Background
The film was produced on a low budget in black and white. Its title refers to the historical term "shell shock," a psychological condition now recognized as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which was commonly used during and after World War I to describe combat-related psychological trauma. The film explores themes of combat fatigue, military discipline, and the psychological toll of war.
