ridiculous rating

Intense, gripping, stylish and poignant

A Brilliant Conflict

Great story, amazing characters, superb action, enthralling cinematography. Yes, this is something I am glad I spent money on.

We've Never Been Licked is one of those wartime flagwavers that has gone woefully out of date. In fact I'm sure that audiences were scratching their heads during the showing of this film in theaters across the country. Except possibly in Texas where no matter what they love their Aggies of Texas A&M.Radio sportscaster Bill Stern, the Howard Cosell of his day narrates this film during a break in a Texas A&M football game during a broadcast to tell the story of a young Aggie played by Richard Quine who made a sacrifice for Uncle Sam.Quine was a student at Texas A&M before Pearl Harbor and seemed to join in the Aggie swing of things, football, cadet corps, and girls in the person of Anne Gwynne. But she likes his roommate Noah Beery, Jr. much better.In the meantime Quine is also buddying it up with a pair of Japanese exchange students who are getting increasingly isolated as tensions mount between the two countries. They're really there to spy and get some secret scientific formula being worked on at the Aggie laboratory.Quine goes deep undercover and I mean deep. He discovers such other spies as William Frawley and Edgar Barrier working for the Land of the Rising Sun. In fact Barrier is made up Oriental and not too well. To keep his cover Quine quits the Aggies and goes to Japan with the epithet of traitor hung around his neck.After Pearl Harbor though Quine redeems himself and I have to say in one of the most unbelievable climaxes ever in the history of film. I dare not say more, you have to see it to believe it.Playing one of the upperclassmen to Quine and Beery is Robert Mitchum in one of his early films and one I'm sure he probably didn't have fond memories of. But God bless the cast they pulled this off without a smirk showing.

There was a time when everyone in the United States was truly "united" following the attack on Pearl Harbor, there was no doubt about what had to be done, and the military might of the U.S. was there to do the job. In the wake of 9-11, there was another groundswell of patriotic feeling, but over time we have forgotten how priceless are our freedoms and how they have been protected over the years. This film reminds the history student (or anyone who has listened to their ancestors) of how real a threat can be. Cadet Craig, for reasons of nobility and integrity, sacrificed himself and his reputation for his country, his family and his alma mater. Who would do such a thing today? Maybe the first responders on 9-11; the threat in 1942 was real, the threat in the 21st century is real. This film reminds us of heroes, and duty, and country. It is well worth your time. Not the best acting, or the best story or the best filmography, but you are free to choose.

Although it was not available except for on-campus showing, it is currently being marketed: http://secure1.esportspartners.com/store-aggieLocker/main_detail.cfm? nProductID=8176&sAuxTitle=We''ve%20Never%20Been%20Licked%20DVDI saw this movie several times during my college years at A&M, usually at "The Grove", now long gone itself. Viewing was mandatory for incoming Corps freshmen. I have a VHS copy of the movie, but it is now also available on DVD.Victor Mature, being interviewed by Johnny Carson, was asked what his worst movie was. Without hesitation, he replied: "I don't remember the name, but it was about some cow college in Texas."

I thought it was horrible and Robert Mitchum fans should avoid it like the plague in order to hold any long-term respect for the man's talent. He was wasted in this movie, but then again, he didn't exactly do anything with his part either.That being said, it's funny if you're an Aggie. I'd give it a 5 as an Aggie, but i gave it a 1 as a movie afficiana... aficcinad... afficcinna... er... movie buff. ;)