alexanderdavies-99382 "Murphy's War" is one of Peter O' Toole's better films. The script isn't always up to standard but his performance easily compensates for this and he is only one of a handful of cast members who is British. The leading lady, Sian Phillips (Mrs. O' Toole) is very effective as the medic of the island which provides the films setting. As the title implies, it becomes a case of Murphy carrying his private revenge upon the German sailors who slaughter his comrades as they are defenceless against a German U boat. Murphy is the sole survivor. A true act of cowardice, it is understandable why Peter O' Toole would harbour feelings of hate and anger. However, he is prepared to go to any lengths in order to avenge his fellow sailors. His plan of revenge borders on obsession until it takes over his every day life. He repairs an old plane that has been abandoned on the island but Murphy realises it will take a heck of a lot more in completing his task of defeating the enemy. The photography certainly adds to the proceedings, as does Peter Yates's direction. He manages to keep "Murphy's War" on an even keel.

Neil Welch I can't make up my mind how I feel about Murphy's War. It is a simple story - Murphy is the sole survivor of a German U-Boat attack where the Germans make a point of making sure there are no survivors. Ending up on the remote Brazilian coast while the U-Boat undertakes repairs up-river, Murphy decides to refurbish a derelict seaplane in order to bomb and sink the U-Boat. His plans continue even after hostilities cease.Peter O'Toole plays the obsessed Murphy in another definitive performance 9 years after his career-establishing Lawrence. His support, all excellent, comprise then-wife Sian Phillips as a doctor servicing the local tribe, Philippe Noiret as a stranded engineer, and Horst Janson as the U-Boat commander. But this is O'Toole's film.There is an odd conflict here between, on the one hand, the gorgeous scenery and exhilarating flying sequences and, on the other hand, the underlying story and the unattractiveness of Murphy's character and obsession. It is a worthwhile film but I was far from sure whether I had actually enjoyed it.

piratecat-2 With out a doubt. A classic and original style war movie with intense acting from Peter O'Toole. The almighty aircraft mechanic seeks revenge for the death of his shipmates by the evil nazi navy. Jona hunts his whale to get his pound of flesh. I saw it when I was a little boy thought wow this guy can fix anything. Over the years when I have caught it on TV man the old classic still holds up. A gritty telling story of one man's blind revenge to seek justice. I am all for Murphy to kill those ba$^@&d%. Proud to be in Murphy's box. A sailor who at the end of the war witnesses his ship and crew torpedoed by a German u-boat. He survives with a pilot and plane. He with the help of a local island man Louie gets the down aircraft out of the jungle. But the Germans have come back to finish the job. With a missionary doctor as subplot the story is compelling. A great line "don't worry it's just alittle ole alligator" classic. A must see for all time. I still think on of the best ever put in film art.

thubba This movie hooked me when I first saw it on television back in the late 1970s. It was made at a time when action/suspense movies did not rely on melodrama, super-human characters, or stunts and special effects that defy the laws of physics; rather, the story follows real people (played by actors who can actually act) in dramatic conflict. The ending is not Hollywood: it is tragic, melancholic, satisfying, and lasting. Peter O'Toole is, as always, pitch-perfect playing an Irishman in the British merchant marine during World War II. Reminiscent of Terrence Malik, director Peter Yates evokes both the calm, tropical beauty of the movie's setting on the Orinoco river delta in Venezuela, and the reflexive violence and weariness of men who have lived at war for half a decade. Muphy's War is one of those rare action/suspense movies driven by characters, realism, not just plot and explosions.This is one of my all-time favorite World War II movies.