Takes itself way too seriously

If you don't like this, we can't be friends.

An unexpected masterpiece

This movie tries so hard to be funny, yet it falls flat every time. Just another example of recycled ideas repackaged with women in an attempt to appeal to a certain audience.

ONCE ONE REMEMBERS that this story, based on the career of Army Chaplain, Father Duffy, is very Hollywood, it can be properly evaluated and absorbed into the intellect. Although the story is highly fabricated and fictionalized, it nonetheless brings us in contact with a proud old Regiment and its tough, but saintly Catholic Priest Chaplain.THE STORY PRESENTS a stark contrast in characterization by pitting the "lost sheep", draftee/PFC Jerry Plunkett (James Cagney) against Father Duffy (Pat O'Brien), the Officers and the entire U.S. Army. Various characters are depicted in between the two extremes. The best character of this classification is "Crepe Hanger" Burke* (Frank McHugh); who also is a sort agent of comic relief.COURAGE UNDER FIRE is a central theme of the story. The behaviour of ordinary 'Citizen Soldiers', called "Doughboys" in World War I, is dramatized throughout the picture. The very action of taking a bunch of raw recruits from their lives in the 5 Bourroughs of NYC's Irish neighborhoods and transforming them post-haste into soldiers is an interesting subject in itself and one that provides so much of the interaction of the film.ONE VERY INTERESTING aspect of the film is the inclusion of the story of well known poet, Alfred Joyce Kilmer (18861918), who was portrayed by Warner Brothers' star, Jeffrey Lynn. Corporal Joyce Kilmer was killed in action with the NY 69th on July 30, 1918.AS A SORT of historical footnote to this story, those who visit NYC's Times Square should stop and take a look at the memorial to the Priest.ALONG WITH THE two other pictures of this period, Warner Brothers gave us a sort of World War I Trilogy. THE FIGHTING 69th is joined by SERGEANT YORK and THE ROARING 20's in giving us a cinematic picture of WWI and its effect on our way of life in the USA and the whole World.NOTE * The term "Crepe Hanger" is one of those vanishing terms that is largely unknown today. The meaning is one who is always a downer and displays a chronic pessimistic attitude toward everything. The origin of this comes from the old custom of draping the home of the recently deceased with Black Crepe Paper as a symbol of mourning.

What you see in this movie , you have seen before a thousand times. This doesn't mean that this film ain't enjoyable, not when the cast includes James Cagney and Pat O'Brien. As expected , James Cagney plays the tough guy while Brien , as expected, plays a priest. Now i can't speak about how this film relates to American civil war as i never studied anything from that specific topic. Instead i'll rate this film by how it stands out amongst other war films.Not that may be unfair as this film is all about patriotic and flag waving not some serious , meaningful film with a moral understanding. Instead it about the 69th going out to war to fight the Germans. The story is about a tough guy who turns yellow on the battlefield in which by the end , redeems himself. Well, it does sound similar to angles with dirty faces and i know many think that this film is AWDF but with grenades but it not entirely that. Sure he a tough guy who turns yellow but at least we can certainly say he died a hero in this film.The battle scenes for it day are brilliantly shot and the performance from Cagney is outstanding. The guy can act out anything. he can make you believe he crying, make you believe he the toughest guy in the world. No wonder why he is regarded one of the best actors ever.For today's standards, this film does contain many corny scenes but it what you expect from a film made in that era. overall The fighting 69th was a enjoyable film to watch

This isn't exactly the most realistic or subtle film Cagney or Warner Brothers ever made. However, despite being a piece of unbelievable fluff, it still is very entertaining--with lots of action and histrionic performances--particularly from Cagney. He plays a blow-hard who acts tough but knuckles under in action during WWI. In fact, for cowardice in action he is sentenced to death and must choose whether to go out like a man or die as a lily-livered coward. Considering it's pure Hollywood hokum, it's not hard to figure out how he'll make his final exit. So, in summary it's VERY formulaic and silly but still worth a watch just because it's so entertaining.

James Cagney shows he's not just a tough street thug. Cagney plays Jerry Plunkett a new draftee into the Fighting 69th that's all bark and no bite. His long time friend Pat O'Brien who starred in many of Cagney's films as a Reverend trying to help him out with his troubles accompanies Cagney in this film. Also in this film is Alan Hale Sr. well remembered for his movies with Errol Flynn. This is no Sergeant York but definitely a must see for Cagney Fans and War Buffs!TRIVIA: Jeffrey Lynn who played Joyce Kilmer in the movie earned a Bronze Star in World War II just two years after making this film.