Rewind, Review, and Re-Rate: ‘Story of G.I. Joe’: An Intimate, Character-Driven Portrayal of Men at War

A scene from the “Story of G.I. Joe,” based on the writing of World War II journalist Ernie Pyle. United Artists

A little cinematic gem that I discovered recently is the “Story of G.I. Joe,” a gritty and realistic war film that was produced in 1945, toward the tail end of World War II. Part of the film’s realism is due to the fact that it’s based on the real-life experiences of the Pulitzer Prize-winning war correspondent Ernie Pyle.

Directed by William A. Wellman, the film features acting legends Burgess Meredith and Robert Mitchum in his breakout role.