The Young Lions (1958)

Set against the grim backdrop of World War II, "The Young Lions" traces the intertwined fates of three distinct men, each caught up in the tumultuous tide of war, navigating both battlefields and personal tribulations. Lieutenant Christian Diestl, a German SS officer, is a working-class man who once naively believed that Hitler and the Nazis would usher in prosperity for his people. A non-political individual, he rationalizes the casualties of war as a necessary sacrifice for the greater good. His personal life takes a complex turn when he falls for Françoise, a Frenchwoman, despite being an enemy in her eyes. Additionally, he embarks on a scandalous affair with his commanding officer's wife, thus, painting a picture of a man caught in a web of conflicting loyalties. On the other side of the spectrum are American Army Privates, Michael Whiteacre and Noah Ackerman. Michael, a Broadway star, uses his fame to avoid combat, opting for safer postings away from the frontlines. He is dating Margaret Freemantle, a socialite working with the USO who, having seen the horrors of Nazism firsthand, yearns for him to contribute meaningfully to the war effort. Noah, Jewish and slight, is a sensitive soul, vulnerable to antisemitic prejudice both at home and within the army. He finds companionship in Michael and marries Hope Plowman, a gentile, before being shipped overseas, a union met with hostility by her prejudiced father. The war acts as a crucible, reshaping Christian, Noah, and Michael in profound ways. While Christian grapples with his disillusionment with the war, Noah contends with the twin threats of antisemitism and battle, and Michael evolves from a playboy to a hero. Their personal battles may be just as formidable as the war they're fighting, revealing that sometimes, the biggest battles are fought not on the frontlines, but within the human heart.

The Young Lions is an action movie featuring Marlon Brando and directed by Edward Dmytryk.

It is possible to buy The Young Lions on AMC on Demand, Amazon Video, Apple TV, DIRECTV, Google Play Movies, Microsoft Store, Vudu and YouTube.