The Red Badge of Courage (1951 film)

The Red Badge of Courage is a 1951 American war film directed by John Huston. It is an adaptation of Stephen Crane's 1895 novel of the same name. The film stars Audie Murphy, a highly decorated World War II veteran, as Henry Fleming, a young Union soldier during the American Civil War.

The film chronicles Fleming's psychological journey from eager recruit to battlefield veteran. Initially driven by romanticized notions of war and heroism, Fleming deserts his first battle due to fear. Overwhelmed by shame, he returns to his regiment and gradually confronts his cowardice. He eventually gains a "red badge of courage" (a head wound) and participates in subsequent battles with renewed determination, albeit with a more realistic understanding of war's brutality.

The film is notable for its stark realism, innovative camerawork, and psychological depth. Huston aimed for an accurate depiction of Crane's anti-war message and focused on the internal struggles of the individual soldier. Despite its artistic merit, The Red Badge of Courage was heavily edited by MGM against Huston's wishes. The studio considered the film too pessimistic and uncommercial, significantly reducing its length from the director's intended cut.

While it initially met with a lukewarm reception and was not a box office success, The Red Badge of Courage has since gained recognition as a significant and influential war film, praised for its exploration of fear, courage, and the disillusionment of war. The film is often discussed in film studies and literature courses alongside Crane's novel.