I love this movie so much

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,

A clunky actioner with a handful of cool moments.

Directed by Vincent Sherman, with a screenplay by Ranald MacDougall that was based on the play by John Patrick, this slightly above average drama features the Academy Award nominated Best Actor performance by Richard Todd (his only) and what has to be one of best performances ever given by actor Ronald Reagan as well. Patricia Neal, in only her third film (and second with Reagan), exhibits the talent that would later earn her a Best Actress Oscar (out of two such nominations).The rest of the cast is solid, if unrecognizable and forgettable except for Orlando Martins, whose role is unfortunately so necessarily one dimensional that it could be considered racist. Several nationalist prejudices (e.g. stereotypes) are discussed and/or exploited, though the fact that they ring true and/or make this story more genuine will be lost on those who tend to look for harm instead of accepting or learning from the very real cultural differences which exist.Todd plays a disagreeable Scot who was injured during the last days of World War II in Burma. Though he's been patched up, he's also dying from a pending kidney failure, a fact that's kept from him but shared with the other soldiers (like Yank, Reagan) in the recovery ward, and their compassionate nurse (Neal). The hospital's commanding officer (Anthony Nicholls as Lieutenant Colonel Dunn) and Sister Parker (Neal) ask these others to make friends with this misfit Corporal Lachlan MacLachlan (later nicknamed 'Lachie'; Todd) to make his last days as happy as possible. Howard Crawford plays Tommy, a Brit from London, Ralph Michael plays Kiwi (not Kini?), a bearded New Zealander, and John Sherman plays the Australian dubbed Digger; these non-PC nicknames were ostensibly given to them by the orderly (Alfred Bass), and accepted by the others (without protest, as these were less sensitive times). Martins plays a local native, called Blossom, the only English word Yank has taught him.Yank has an earned bias against persons from Scotland per his Scottish grandfather, but learned a technique of reciting the books of the Bible (Old Testament) to keep himself in control of his emotions. In fact, he is the one (other than the Sister) who ultimately leads the others to keep trying (e.g. to be more tolerant) to befriend Lachie who, from the very first, will accept no assistance from the others for not wanted to be in any man's debt. He refuses any kindness whatsoever, and gives none himself. Encouraged by the Sister, the others try to be friendly but are quickly frustrated in their efforts by the Scot's belligerent nature. They all but give up, including the Sister, until she learns that it's Lachie's birthday and the men each give him a piece of what adds up to be his first kilt (the inevitable question and mystery as to what a Scotsman wears under such garb is fodder for a couple humorous scenes). The gift brings tears to the Scot's eyes and prompts his transformation into someone who can't stop talking for more than a week with his newfound friends, even about politics (there are some surreal moments in this movie, when one considers that Reagan went on to become the 40th President of the United States!).But when talk of going home begins, Lachie finds the others are uncomfortable, and not as accepting of his invitations to come home with him for a visit. Pondering this one evening leads to an intimate moment with the Sister, she even kisses him (of her own free will); he later proposes and she accepts. However, Lt. Col. Dunn then offers him a plane ride home, which doesn't make sense to Lachie until he's told of his fatal condition, and the fact that the others knew of it. Lachie, who'd had a rough childhood as a foundling, returns to his distrusting self and lashes out at his former comrades. But, once again, Yank is responsible for leading the others, and Lachie, to a reconciliation of friends, with help from innocent Blossom. The Scot will not die friendless.

The Hasty Heart is directed by Vincent Sherman, has a screenplay by Ranald MacDougall and is based on the play by John Patrick. The film stars Ronald Reagan, Richard Todd, Patricia Neal, Orlando Martins, Ralph Michael, John Sherman and Anthony Nicholls.Burma in 1945. The Second World War is over. In a MASH unit several injured soldiers are recovering and waiting to be told they can go home. One soldier is not so lucky as his comrades. Lachie(Richard Todd)has a serious injury to his back which has destroyed one kidney and made the other one fail, there is no way he can be saved.The doctor won't tell Lachie the truth apparently to give him peace of mind. This has the opposite effect as Lachie gets angry and frustrated that he is not allowed to go home but isn't being told why. Lachie is moved to a ward where the other occupants have been told by ward nurse Sister Parker (Patricia Neal)to befriend Lachie and make him happy. The most outgoing of the group is Yank(Ronald Reagan)who tries his hardest to make Lachie welcome, only to have his kindness thrown back at him. As time goes on Lachie feels lonely and slowly comes to realise that he needs friendship.This film really makes you realise how important friendship is, we all need to build a connection with someone else so we know we're not alone and have some good times amongst the bad. This is one of the best films about friendship that I've ever seen.Richard Todd is very good as the introverted and awkward Lachie, he conveys his concerns and fears well. I love how overjoyed he becomes when he finally makes friends with his comrades and feels a part of the group.Ronald Reagan is someone who I've never thought much of as an actor, he is very impressive here as the witty and outgoing American soldier.Patricia Neal is heartbreaking as the nurse who knows the truth and tries to be kind and supportive despite Lachie proving a difficult patient, the relationship between her and Lachie is beautifully done and both Neal and Todd do such a good job of portraying the many difficult emotions involved for their characters.Orlando Martins steals all his scenes as Blossom, a soldier who doesn't speak any English, he grows to like Lachie and is the only one in the group who has no idea about his situation. He spends ages making Lachie a gift, when he rejects the gift he has made for him Yank reacts angrily, disgusted by his treatment of Blossom. Orlando is an actor who conveys so much with just a look and makes Blossom really likable and sweet.I don't understand why the doctors keep silent about Lachie's condition. Surely it is better for a patient to know the truth, even if it is unpleasant? I actually think it's cruel because if you feel ill and you are being told you're fine you will end your days distressed and anxious. I found this difficult to accept and support.

The story opens in an Allied Forces hospital in Burma, 1945, on the last day of the war. Those patients who can travel are going home, but five remain (including one played by Ronald Reagan). The head nurse (Patricia Neal) tells the men that a Scottish soldier (Richard Todd) is going to be joining them and asks for their help. He has only a few weeks to live and is too ill to travel; since he has no family, she asks the men to befriend the solider in his last days - but not to tell him he's dying.This is a touching drama with many moments of humor. The soldiers are all believable and their camaraderie is heartening. Star Richard Todd does a great job with the Scottish accent. He plays a tough, bitter man who never knew how to make friends and when he finally does shed his defenses, he "shares a moment with kings." Patricia Neal is perfect as the compassionate nurse who helps the soldier find peace. Ronald Reagan is quite likable as the wise and easy-going "Yank." The story really made me think about what I would want were I in this soldier's predicament. To know or not to know? To try and go half-way around the globe to die in an empty house or stay among new friends? It's a wrenching dilemma whatever the decision, and the film doesn't sugar-coat it. Top-notch acting and thoughtful script. Recommended.

My diary records my varying impressions of this film:1985A young man doesn't know he is dying. He doesn't appreciate people. His friends know his fate and try to be kind, but he rejects them. They don't give up, and he mellows a little. But then he finds out he is dying and that they knew. He interprets their kindness as mere pity, is outraged and prepares to die alone. However a man who doesn't speak English, and therefore doesn't know he is dying gives him a gift, and convinces him that there is genuine friendship in this world. The movie is gimmicky and contrived, like a dramatized sermon, but it is one of the better films ever made. 1986This time I wasn't tearful. I found it rather preachy. The writer should have written a short essay rather than bore us with a contrived plot.1998I loved it just as much as when I first saw it. The critics, true to form, despised its "sentimentality", yet it is an exceptionally lucid, warm and wonderful play, Reagan's best and most humane role. 2000One of my most favorite movies. It focuses your attention on what is valuable in life, stripping away pride. We all have a very limited time, and appreciation and gratitude is in order. The real subject of the film however, is faith in mankind. The bitter man's faith has been shattered by the war. Yet he learns that however murky and ignoble people's motives may be, one must cherish every morsel of kindness one can get or give. (Although solitude is not that bad either!!!) Profoundly wise and moving!