Never So Few

Burma, 1943. A unit of American and British forces under the OSS joins with native Kachin to hold back Japanese invaders, while facing problems with limited supplies and lack of medical care. The unit's leaders, Captains Tom Reynolds and Danny De Mortimer, fly to Calcutta to rectify both problems. While there, they are assured they can select any army doctor for transfer to their unit. Tom and Danny are then ordered on a 2-week leave. They travel to the resort of Cawaga, where Tom falls in love with Carla, mistress to a mysterious businessman of doubtful reputation. Tom and Danny also encounter a doctor, Captain Travis. Much to his objections, they tag Travis for transfer to their unit in the Burmese hills, along with a tough, resourceful "kid" corporal named Ringa.

Upon returning to their unit with Travis and Ringa, Tom and Danny authorize a big Christmas bash with lots of drinking. The proceedings, however, are interrupted by a surprise Japanese raid. It is a costly affair. Some in the unit are killed, and many, including Tom, are wounded. Cpl. Ringa interrogates a captured Japanese soldier, who reveals a traitor in Tom's unit. After the informer is executed, Tom and other wounded are transported to a Calcutta hospital for recovery. Upon their return, Tom's unit launches an assault on a strategic Japanese-held airstrip. The mission succeeds but results in many lives lost. While on their way back to base, the unit comes across a destroyed American convoy and finds evidence indicating renegade Chinese were responsible. Tom orders a pursuit of the renegades. They find the Chinese camp, locate their supply tent, and come upon several dozen American dog tags and personal effects. Shocked and outraged, Tom realizes the renegades have been killing American soldiers.

But when he radios OSS headquarters, he gets a reply ordering his immediate return to base as the Chungking government has lodged a complaint. While Tom consults with his officers, a Chinese soldier kills Danny. Tom angrily sends a message to OSS rebuffing their demand. He then orders Ringa to execute the prisoners. When he returns to headquarters in Calcutta, Tom, who is placed under house arrest, encounters an angry, vindictive officer from Washington, General Sloan, who tells Tom he is there specifically to see him hang. Tom answers back by showing the general a crate of the American dog tags found at the renegade camp. Sloan quietly admits to being sickened by the sight. Hours later, when an arrogant Chinese representative, Gen. Chao, struts on the scene and demands an official apology, Sloan tells Chao to "go to hell." Exonerated, Tom is freed and reunites with Carla before returning to the Kachin and the war.

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• Never So Few at the American Film Institute Catalog
• Variety Review