Hell Is for Heroes (1962)

User Rating:

7.1/10   

Director:

Don Siegel

Writers:

Richard Carr (writer)
Robert Pirosh (screenplay)

Release Date:

26 June 1962 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Drama | War

Tagline:

The brutal realities that faced every G.I. during World War II

Plot:

Small squad must hold off German attack.

Plot Keywords:

Squad | Displaced Person | France | German Soldier | Army

Cast

Steve McQueen	...	Reese
Bobby Darin	...	Pvt. Corby
Fess Parker	...	Sgt. Pike
Harry Guardino	...	Sgt. Larkin
James Coburn	...	Cpl. Henshaw
Mike Kellin	...	Pvt. Kolinsky
Joseph Hoover	...	Capt. Loomis
Bill Mullikin	...	Pvt. Cumberly
L.Q. Jones	...	Supply Sgt. Frazer
Michele Montau	...	Monique Ouidel
Don Haggerty	...	Capt. Mace
Nick Adams	...	Homer
Bob Newhart	...	Pvt. Driscoll

Runtime:

90 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Polish | German

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

West Germany:16 (f) | USA:Approved (Certificate #20040) | Australia:M | Finland:K-16 | Norway:16 | Sweden:15

Filming Locations:

California, USA

Company:

Paramount Pictures

Trivia:

Screenwriter Robert Pirosh was originally set to direct the film but was replaced with Siegel. Pirosh's script featured many blackly comedic scenes but most of them were not filmed as Siegel wanted to make the film more dramatic. Disappointed, Newhart tried to get Siegel to kill his character early but Siegel refused.

Goofs:

Continuity: The final attack is to take place at 6:00 AM. Judging from the shadows, the attack scenes were filmed between 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

Quotes:

Platoon Sgt. Bill Pike: I was kind of surprised to see you in our outfit.
Pvt. John Reese: You and me both.
Platoon Sgt. Bill Pike: I haven't had time to check your papers. Where'd you transfer from?
Pvt. John Reese: The outfit I came from was a real dilly. There was a general, a major, two captains, two lieutenants, and me. There's a squad for you, buddy-o.
Platoon Sgt. Bill Pike: Sounds like a court martial board.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: The Siege of AR-558 (#7.8)" (1998)

Low budget production packs big punch

A must must-see for Steve McQueen fans. Understrength American platoon tries to hold the line against entrenched Germans in 1944 France. Hard-working cast rises above shoe-string production values. Then-present and future stars include Harry Guardino, James Coburn and personal favorite Nick Adams. Despite lack of glitzy special effects, this has the best "feel" of any war film I've ever seen. McQueen shines as Private Reese, an efficient killer sabotaged only by his own unwillingness to follow orders. Subdued Parker plays very effectively against McQueen's intensity, and Newhart adds some humor to grim story line. Highly recommended.