Tyrone Power gives an excellent performance in John Ford's homage to the Irish Immigrant and one of America's military Academies, West Point, in "The Long Gray Line.   Based on the true story of Marty Maher, one of West Point's most famous instructors.  Ford tries, as always to make an epic, and at times it plays like one, it's far too corny and predictable to achieve its highest aspirations. 

In spite of Powers' performance, he can't overcome a mediocre script, and in this one, Maher is presented as somewhat of a dimwit.  It's hard to believe that someone as relentlessly goofy as the character displayed here, was actually respected and honored enough to achieve the legendary status which he did. 

While the film isn't one of Ford's better films, it still retains much of what makes Ford a great filmmaker.  The atmosphere is filled with the kind of adrenalin and machismo that's become standard with Ford films.  There's also an unabashed sense of sentimentality, ...scenes with tough guys being moved! 

The actors are all terrific, and while none of them can rise above the problematic, corny script, several of them give it a magnificent try.

COLUMBIA TRISTAR has retained the film's 2.35:1 image, and although it certainly has a few stellar compositions which would have been destroyed in a pan&scan version, Fords' compositions rarely achieve the kind of impact they managed to in his best films, such as "The Searchers", and that one had a very limited aspect ratio of about 1.66:1.  The colors are generally solid, but, as evidenced in the opening credit sequence, they never achieve the level of vibrancy that they should have. Fleshtones appear natural throughout and the contrast is fine, although without the black and gray levels which COLUMBIA TRISTAR has been spoiling us with recently.

The Dolby 3.0 surround sound is adequate, but we thought this kind of mix would offer at least some degree of atmospheric effects. Instead, the surround only comes into play during some of the marches and to slightly boost the film's score.  Dialogue is always intelligible and free of distortion.  The fidelity is surprisingly more effective than we thought it would be, and it compliments the wonderful score.