 The novel was deemed unfilmable for a long time because of its  negative portrayal of the US army (which would prevent the army from  supporting the film with people and hardware/logistics) and the  profanity. To get army support and pass the censorship of the time  crucial details had to be changed. The brothel became a night club,  the whores hostesses. The profanity was removed, the brutal  treatment in the stockade toned down and Captain Holmes removed from  the army instead of promoted.