Ken, a WWII GI, returns home after he's paralyzed in battle. Residing in the paraplegic ward of a veteran's hospital and embittered by his condition, he refuses to see his fiancée and sinks into a solitary world of hatred and hostility. Head physician, Dr. Brock cajoles the withdrawn Ken into the life of the ward, where fellow patients Norm, Leo and Angel begin to pull him out of his spiritual dilemma.
Acting
Brando's volcanic debut before anyone knew his name.
Direction
Zinnemann shot in a real paraplegic ward with actual patients.
Director
Fred Zinnemann
Marlon Brando
Ken
Teresa Wright
Ellen
Everett Sloane
Dr. Brock
Jack Webb
Norm
Richard Erdman
Leo
Arthur Jurado
Angel
Virginia Farmer
Nurse Robbins
Dorothy Tree
Ellen's Mother
Howard St. John
Ellen's Father
Nita Hunter
Dolores
Patricia Joiner
Laverne
John 'Skins' Miller
Mr. Doolin
Cliff Clark
Dr. Kameran
Ray Teal
Man at Bar
Margarita Martín
Angel's Mother
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Brando spent weeks in a wheelchair at the Birmingham VA hospital, living among paraplegic veterans who became extras.
This was Hollywood's first serious treatment of disabled veterans—released when WWII wounds were still fresh and unspoken.
US
