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5.9/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 5.9/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Red Salute remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
Honestly, only if you are a completionist for Barbara Stanwyck’s filmography. If you want a sharp political satire, look elsewhere. If you want a lighthearted romance, this feels a bit too burdened by its own heavy-handed message about 'proper' American values.
The whole thing feels like it’s vibrating with anxiety about communism, which makes for a weirdly stiff watch today. It’s not exactly a barrel of laughs, though it certainly tries to be.
Barbara Stanwyck plays the rebellious daughter, and she’s the only one who seems to realize she’s in a movie that’s mostly fluff. She has this spark that just doesn't get matched by the script, which is a shame. It reminded me a bit of the frantic energy in The Amateur Liar, but without the charm.
The plot is basically just a series of arguments disguised as romance. The general is constantly shouting, the student is constantly lecturing, and the soldier is... well, he’s just kind of there. It’s a very noisy movie.
There is a scene in the mess hall that goes on for way too long. The dialogue just circles the drain. I found myself staring at the background extras, who seemed way more interested in their lukewarm coffee than the scene happening in the foreground.
Sometimes the movie gets so caught up in its own point that it forgets to let the characters breathe. It’s like watching a lecture given by someone who’s had too much espresso. ☕
I wouldn't call this a total disaster, but it’s definitely one of those relics that feels trapped in its own era. It lacks the breezy confidence of something like A Lady in Love. Instead, it feels like it’s constantly checking to make sure it’s saying the right thing for 1935.
Ultimately, the chemistry just isn't there. It’s a lot of shouting and posturing, but very little actual connection between the leads. I spent most of the runtime waiting for Stanwyck to just walk out of the frame and leave the rest of them to their bickering.
