The Main reason directors prefer more mature actors is they are more likely to have played roles similar to the role being cast or their screen persona fits the role.. Today many actors started their careers as young teens and by time they were 21 they have long impressive resumes in a variety of roles. They are considered mature actors even if not mature in age.Good points.
I was actually just thinking that another reason to use more mature actors, even in a movie about Vietnam, is that soldiers in combat are generally much more mature than a typical person their age. Older actors is a little dramatic license so the audience is not thinking them as kids.
When Andrews made this movie he had starred in or co-stared in 21 movie in his 5 years of making movies. In 4 of them he played a military man and in 3 of them he played an officer. However, Wyler wanted Andrews for the part because of his stone face and understated acting style. Allen Ladd might have been considered for the part if he had been available. Ladd was 4 years younger.
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