SYNOPSIS: "Fear and Desire" (1953) is a war drama that marks the directorial debut of Stanley Kubrick. The film is set in an unspecified war and follows the story of four soldiers who crash-land behind enemy lines. Trapped and disoriented, the soldiers—Lieutenant Corby, Sergeant Mac, Private Sidney, and Private Fletcher—must navigate through the dense forest to reach safety. As they plot their escape, they construct a raft to traverse a river but soon encounter various obstacles that test their resolve and sanity. The group captures a local peasant girl, leading to a series of tensions and moral dilemmas that culminate in a tragic breakdown. Each soldier confronts his inner fears and desires, reflecting on the futility and horror of war. The film is noted for its philosophical undertones and experimental style, foreshadowing Kubrick's later works. Despite its initial limited release and the director's subsequent disavowal, "Fear and Desire" remains an intriguing exploration of human nature in the face of conflict.

PLOT Spoiler Alert: "Fear and Desire" (1953) tells the harrowing tale of four soldiers who find themselves stranded in a forest behind enemy lines during an unspecified war. As they navigate their precarious situation, the film delves into the psychological torment and moral ambiguities of warfare, presenting a nightmarish exploration of human nature.

The film opens with the soldiers' plane crashing in the dense forest. Lt. Corby (Kenneth Harp) assumes command, leading Sgt. Mac (Frank Silvera), Pvt. Sidney (Paul Mazursky), and Pvt. Fletcher (Steve Coit) through the treacherous terrain. Isolated and disoriented, they are aware that their position behind enemy lines makes them vulnerable to capture or death.

As they make their way through the forest, they encounter an enemy patrol, leading to a tense and deadly skirmish. The soldiers kill the enemy soldiers, a disturbing act that begins to unravel their mental states. The conflict highlights the dehumanizing effect of war, as the characters grapple with the moral implications of their actions.

The group decides to build a raft to escape down the river. While constructing the raft, they come across a peasant girl (Virginia Leith). Pvt. Sidney, already unstable from the stress of combat, is tasked with guarding her. His fragile psyche breaks down completely, leading to a terrifying and tragic incident. Sidney's actions reflect the destructive influence of fear and power, further emphasizing the film's dark themes.

The remaining soldiers, haunted by their comrade's breakdown and the violence they have witnessed, continue their journey. They discover a cabin where a high-ranking enemy officer (also played by Kenneth Harp) and his men are stationed. Lt. Corby devises a plan to kill the officer, believing it will help their escape. The soldiers' mission becomes a personal vendetta, blurring the lines between duty and desire for revenge.

The assassination plot is executed with precision, but not without emotional and psychological cost. As the soldiers complete their mission, their sense of triumph is hollow, overshadowed by the realization of their lost humanity.

In the film's final moments, the surviving soldiers reach the river and set off on their makeshift raft. The journey down the river is a poignant symbol of their escape from the immediate dangers of war, but also a metaphor for the irreversible journey into their own moral and psychological abyss.

"Fear and Desire" ends on a somber note, with the soldiers' fate uncertain. The film leaves viewers with a profound sense of the futility and absurdity of war, encapsulating Kubrick's early exploration of themes that would define his later work.

PRODUCTION: "Fear and Desire" (1953) marks the debut feature of acclaimed director Stanley Kubrick. The production of this independent war drama is notable for Kubrick's meticulous attention to detail and resourcefulness, given the film's low budget and limited resources. Development began with Kubrick, then a young photographer for Look magazine, driven by his passion for filmmaking. After his experience with short films like "Day of the Fight" and "Flying Padre," he decided to create "Fear and Desire" as his first full-length feature.

Collaborating with his high school friend Howard Sackler, who wrote the screenplay under the pseudonym "Philip Swift," Kubrick intended the story to be an allegory focusing on the psychological aspects of war.

Financing the film through a combination of his savings and contributions from family and friends, Kubrick worked with a budget of approximately $40,000. To maximize this modest sum, he took on multiple roles, including director, cinematographer, and editor, showcasing his multifaceted talent and dedication. Filming commenced in California's San Gabriel Mountains in early 1952, chosen for its rugged terrain to convincingly depict a war-torn landscape. The cast was composed of relatively unknown actors to keep costs down, with principal roles played by Frank Silvera as Sergeant Mac, Kenneth Harp as Lieutenant Corby, Paul Mazursky as Private Sidney, and Stephen Coit as Private Fletcher. The film's production was a testament to Kubrick's early commitment to his craft and his ability to create a compelling narrative under constrained circumstances.

In addition to Kubrick's multifaceted involvement, "Fear and Desire" is significant for its use of innovative techniques that would become hallmarks of his later work. Despite the budget constraints, Kubrick's background in photography influenced the film's visual style, characterized by striking compositions and thoughtful use of light and shadow. The production faced numerous challenges, including weather difficulties and logistical issues associated with shooting in a remote location. Kubrick’s insistence on precision led to a longer-than-expected filming period, but his meticulous approach ensured a high-quality final product despite the low budget.

The film’s themes, focusing on the psychological strain of war and the blurred lines between reality and illusion, were bold and ambitious for an independent project of this scale. Despite its flaws and Kubrick's later attempts to suppress it, "Fear and Desire" remains a crucial piece in understanding the development of one of cinema's greatest auteurs. The film's production showcased Kubrick’s resourcefulness, innovative spirit, and uncompromising vision, elements that would define his illustrious career.

RELEASE: "Fear and Desire" was officially released in March 1953, primarily through a limited distribution in art house cinemas. As Stanley Kubrick's debut feature, it garnered attention due to his reputation as a promising young filmmaker with a background in photography. Despite this, the film faced a mixed reception. Critics praised Kubrick's ambitious storytelling and visual style, noting his potential as a filmmaker. However, they also highlighted the film's flaws, including its uneven pacing and the occasionally stilted performances of its relatively unknown cast. Some critics appreciated the film's exploration of the psychological impacts of war, while others found its allegorical approach too abstract and heavy-handed.

Audiences were similarly divided, with some intrigued by its experimental nature and others left unsatisfied by its unconventional narrative. The film did not achieve commercial success and was largely forgotten until Kubrick's later fame brought it back into the spotlight. Despite its initial reception, "Fear and Desire" is now regarded as a significant early work that showcases Kubrick's emerging talent and hints at the thematic and stylistic elements that would define his illustrious career.

In addition to its initial mixed reception, "Fear and Desire" faced further challenges due to Kubrick's own dissatisfaction with the film.

Kubrick later described it as a "student film" and went to great lengths to suppress its distribution, considering it an amateurish effort unworthy of his growing reputation. This attitude contributed to the film's relative obscurity for many years. Despite Kubrick's disapproval, "Fear and Desire" garnered a cult following among cinephiles and film historians who viewed it as an essential piece in understanding the director's early development. The film's limited release and subsequent scarcity only added to its mystique, making it a sought-after title among collectors and fans of Kubrick's work.

In recent years, "Fear and Desire" has been re-evaluated and appreciated for its historical significance and the glimpses it provides into Kubrick's burgeoning style. While it remains a polarizing work, "Fear and Desire" is now recognized as a crucial stepping stone in Stanley Kubrick's journey to becoming one of cinema's most influential directors.

CAST:

• Kenneth Harp as Lt. Corby / The General

• Frank Silvera as Sgt. Mac

• Paul Mazursky as Pvt. Sidney

• Steve Coit as Pvt. Fletcher / The Captain

• Virginia Leith as The Girl

• David Allen as Narrator

CREW:

• Director: Stanley Kubrick

• Producer: Stanley Kubrick

• Writer: Howard Sackler

• Cinematographer: Stanley Kubrick

• Editor: Stanley Kubrick

• Music: Gerald Fried

• Art Director: Herbert Lebowitz

Production Company: Stanley Kubrick Productions
Distributor: Joseph Burstyn, Inc.

Release Date: March 31, 1953
Country of Origin: United States
Running Time: 62 minutes
Budget: $40,000
Box Office Return: N/A

IMDB Rating =  5.3/ 10

TRIVIA:

• Stanley Kubrick later disavowed "Fear and Desire," considering it an amateur effort and preventing its distribution for many years.

• The film's existential themes and psychological depth foreshadowed Kubrick's future works, such as "Paths of Glory" and "Full Metal Jacket."

• The film's cast included Paul Mazursky, who would later become a renowned director and screenwriter.

• Due to budget constraints, Kubrick employed innovative techniques, such as natural lighting and minimalistic set design, which became hallmarks of his style.

• "Fear and Desire" was rediscovered and restored in the 1990s, gaining appreciation from film historians and Kubrick enthusiasts.

• Stanley Kubrick denounced this film as amateurish, likening it to a child's drawing on a fridge.

• Kubrick disowned the film soon after its release and tried to ensure it was never seen again by not re-releasing the print. However, Kodak's policy of making an extra print for its archives allowed it to survive.

• Despite his efforts to destroy the negative, Kubrick failed because he had lost the rights to the film.

• Originally shot silent with a budget of $13,000, the budget increased by $27,000 when the actors dubbed their lines in a studio.

• Kubrick's assistant, Leon Vitali, discovered a 35mm print of "Fear and Desire" in Kubrick's private screening room. Kubrick made Vitali promise never to watch it. Vitali kept this promise, noting Kubrick's intense dislike for the film.

• Kubrick's father borrowed from his insurance policy to fund the film, and his uncle, a pharmacist, also provided financial support.

• Kubrick's first wife, Toba Kubrick, worked as a dialogue director on the film.

• The film was considered lost for many years until it resurfaced in 1993, despite Kubrick's opposition to its release.

• The screenplay was written by Howard Sackler, a high school classmate of Kubrick's. Sackler later won the Pulitzer Prize for drama for his 1968 play "The Great White Hope."

• For tracking shots, Kubrick placed the camera on a pram.

• Kubrick would later re-employ writer Howard Sackler and actor Frank Silvera for his next film, "Killer's Kiss" (1955).

• Although the film is an anti-war treatise not specific to any war, it was released at the height of the Korean War.

• The production crew for the film numbered only 15 people.

• It was the acting debut of Virginia Leith.

• Kubrick not only directed the film, but he also served as the cinematographer, editor, and sound-man.

• Working titles for the film included "The Trap" and "The Shape of Fear."

• The addition of the soundtrack caused the budget to overrun by $27,000. Producer Richard De Rochemont bailed out Kubrick on the condition that he work on his TV documentary series about Abraham Lincoln.

• The character credited as "Mac" is referred to as Sergeant McClellan several times during the film.

• The original 70-minute cut premiered at the Venice Film Festival on August 18, 1952, under the title "Shape of Fear."

"Fear and Desire" remains a significant piece in Stanley Kubrick's oeuvre, offering a glimpse into the early development of his cinematic vision and thematic preoccupations.