Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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46 of 46 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
an excellent, gritty WWII film, 24 April 2005
This low-budget war film boasts a terrific ensemble cast, with an early performance by the dynamic Steve McQueen, and one of the few examples of Bobby Darin's fine acting skills, as he, as well as fellow cast member Nick Adams, both died when they were 37. Others in the cast include Fess Parker, Harry Guardino, James Coburn, and Bob Newhart, who was famous at the time for his stand-up comedy routines of one-way telephone conversations, and lightens the tension with a hilarious scene where to fool the Germans who have placed a "bug" near the telephone, he pretends to talk to the commander.Based on a true story (which took a few years to be declassified and written about), it takes place near Montigny, France, in 1944, and is about a small squad that is outnumbered by the enemy, who is protected in a pillbox surrounded by mines; the script is tight and the pacing marvelous, with direction from Don Siegel, who would go on to direct so many great Clint Eastwood action films.
I have seen this film countless times since its theatrical release in 1962, and it never gets stale; the performances are all excellent, with a modernistic score by Leonard Rosenman that adds to the atmosphere, and Harold Lipstein's black & white cinematography capturing the muddy, gritty feel of the foxholes, the fear felt by all, and the incredible heroism that some men can rise to.
Total running time is 90 minutes.
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25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hell Is For Heroes - an overlooked anti-war classic, 19 Mar 2006
This is a stark, moving, tragic and poignant anti-war tour-de-force that makes the point that there are no glamorous heroes, just those who become so in desperate situations. An earlier reviewer mentioned Leonard Rosenman's memorable score for this film - this, along with the production values and some of the production credits, is reflected in the long-running (1962-67)U.S. drama series "Combat!" which somehow has the same integrity and quality running through it. I'm convinced the movie must somehow have inspired the TV series (also available on DVD and worth every penny).
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22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
black&white but still good, 6 Dec 2003
This is one of a handful of black&white films that I would buy on DVD. This is because it is a decent war film that was much before it's time. Although hardly mentioned it's central character is actually played by Steve Mcqueen but he hardly gets a mention on the front cover! He plays the combat happy, hardened soldier who cannot handle any situation unless he is in the frontline fighting for his life.
It also features James Coburn & Harry Guardino in early roles but the best thing about this film is the storyline & location, although very simple it is used to such a great effect it almost steals the limelite away from the actors.
A thinly spaced line for the Americans across one hill top and on the other is a large number of angry Germans waiting to advance. The American soldiers have many devious plans to fool the enemy into thinking that they have more soldiers then they actually do. One of their ideas is to make a standard jeep sound like a tank by putting chains on its wheels & making it backfire!
After several conning tricks they then look to go on the offensive and that is when hell breaks loose.
A good action film with some real heroes and some true moments of tragedy.
Don't let the fact that it is black&white put you off.
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