The film portrays MacArthur's life from 1942, before the Battle of Bataan, to 1952, when he was removed from his Korean War command by President Truman for insubordination, and is recounted in flashback as he visits West Point.
Acting
Peck's full-commitment vanity — he somehow makes arrogance magnetic.
Production
Genuine military hardware and locations that lent authenticity on a budget.
Director
Joseph Sargent
Gregory Peck
Douglas MacArthur
Ivan Bonar
Lt. Gen. Richard K. Sutherland
Ward Costello
Gen. George C. Marshall
Nicolas Coster
Colonel Sidney Huff
Marj Dusay
Jean MacArthur
Ed Flanders
President Harry S. Truman
Warde Donovan
General Shepherd
Branscombe Richmond
Korean Soldier
Russell Johnson
Admiral King
Sandy Kenyon
General Wainwright
Robert Mandan
Representative Martin
Allan Miller
Colonel Diller
Dan O'Herlihy
President Roosevelt
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Peck had previously played MacArthur's father in a 1976 TV film, making this his second go at the family tree.
Released during post-Vietnam cynicism, the film's reverent tone felt increasingly out of step with audiences questioning military hero worship.
US
