Hell Is For Heroes

Starring:Steve McQueen, Bobby Darin, Fess Parker, Harry Guardino, James Coburn, Mike Kellin, Joseph Hoover, Bill Mullikin, L.Q. Jones, Michele Montau, Don Haggerty, Nick Adams, Bob Newhart, Chuck Hicks, Robert Phillips
Director: Don Siegel
Studio: Paramount
Product Type: DVD

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Don Siegel brings his tough worldview and crisp, no-nonsense direction to this quintessential World War II drama of an undermanned American platoon in France holding off a German advance through sheer bluff and bravery. Steve McQueen is curt and surly as the insubordinate loner whose tactical skills and soldiering savvy make him indispensable to his new unit. His reputation precedes him, but commander Fess Parker is in no position to be choosy when he learns that his tired platoon will not be shipping home as rumored, but tossed into a ragged new offensive. Harry Guardino costars as the soulful Sarge; James Coburn is the slow-talking, forever-tinkering mechanic; Bobby Darin is the scavenger with a small fortune in trinkets; and Nick Adams is the Polish orphan and unit mascot. Bob Newhart makes his feature debut as a hopelessly lost typing clerk drafted into the undermanned unit and re-creates his nightclub shtick making phony phone calls near a Nazi listening post in the pillbox. Like Pork Chop Hill, this film is less a patriotic flag waver than a "war is hell" drama that frames the battle not in its tactical importance (which is negligible) but in its cost in human life. McQueen's taciturn performance as a ruthlessly effective soldier and Siegel's tough, lean direction make it a modest classic of the genre. --Sean Axmaker

Customer Reviews:

McQueen simmers just prior to serving in The Great Escape . . ........2007-04-03

As you watch this movie, you'll appreciate the fact that Steve was very early in his feature film career and was probing the audience for the persona that he later found in "The Great Escape". His uneasy characterization of the soldier with an attitude in this release is not unlike that of the B-17 pilot he played in "The War Lover", also in 1962 (a film with probably the best B&W B-17 film footage you can buy). Flawed...yes, but a window into the process of developing the star persona we all came to appreciate. While it is true that the script was undergoing massive re-writes during filming (including Steve's insistence that the title be changed to include the word "Hell"), the film was adequately directed by Don Siegel, who would later become one of the most prolific directors in Hollywood, including Eastwood's early, and arguably best works, such as "Dirty Harry".

And while Bob Newhart may not have enjoyed the filming (as most comedians find filmaking burdensome with the tediously slow shooting schedule and the lack of audience feedback hindering their rhythm), his phone gag was cleverly integrated into the story with hillarious results! Interestingly, one of Steve's best female friends (not lovers) in all of Hollywood would become none other than Suzanne Pleshette, who we all know starred as Newhart's wife in his very successful 70's TV show. While Newhart may have been an odd entry for a serious war movie, it is only Bobby Darin playing the joking GI salesman that seems totally out of place in this one (a singer in a war movie that doesn't sing and can't act?). You will, however, appreciate off-beat performances from James Coburn and Nick Adams (two of Steve's real-life party buddies) as well as Harry Guardino (who would later play Callahan's boss in "Dirty Harry"). You'll also take note that Fess Parker fits in well as the southern-speaking commanding officer in one of his few feature films, mid-way between his TV roles as Davy Crocket for Disney in the 50's and Daniel Boone for NBC in the 60's.

Another interesting note is that even though director Don Siegel had several run-ins with Steve during the making of this film, 9 years later Steve would be offered the role of Harry Callahan, long before Siegel would end up directing Eastwood in the role of "Dirty Harry". It seems that after the phenomenal success of "Bullitt" (#4 Box Office of 1968), Warner Brothers wanted Steve back, even though they were always at odds during the off-site San Francisco production of the film (after all, this was WB's first film that was shot completely on location...well beyond the watchfull eyes of the studio). As it turned out, Steve didn't want to do another cop movie, especially for Warner Brothers, so John Wayne was offered the role who turned it down due to the "rough" language (even though the Duke would bow to a similar Warner Brothers request 3 years later in the role of "McQ", which was originally titled "McQueen" with the hope of getting "McQ"ueen for this cop role in another seaside town, Seattle, driving another dark green muscle car, a Pontiac Trans Am). Before Eastwood was finally chosen for the San Francisco Detective Lieutenant (which just happened to be from the same police department and rank as Frank Bullitt), Frank Sinatra passed on the Callahan role too...maybe because this period of his carreer was already overly laden with detective parts (Tony Rome, The Detective, Lady in Cement).

By the way, Steve and Clint were both born in 1930, so Steve was 32 when he made this picture with the director that would later become Clint's mentor, Don Siegel. A year later, McQueen would become a major star as a result of his role in "The Great Escape", playing Virgil Hilts, "The Cooler King". One more tid-bit...John Sturges directed Steve in "Never So Few", "The Magnificent Seven" and "The Great Escape"...and would later direct Clint in "Joe Kidd" in 1972. As you can see, lots of top talent crossed paths during this production, so you'll find lots of pent-up energy in almost every frame, with everyone looking for that break-out performance that would transcend the early days of their careers.

Bob Newhart (the radio operator) said it all.......2007-03-08

I saw this movie one night on late night tv. could not make heads or tails of it. You would think it was a classic right, with McQueen et al? Big stars. There was this one comedy bit with Newhart on the phone trying to reach command that was funny, but very out of place.

Years later I saw Newhart on the Carson show, with Johnny, after he had made it big on two TV series. It was one of the great funny interviews as Newhart explained the worst professional experience of his life was the making of this movie, which he viewed as wretched, was a box office bomb and according to Newhart had no direction and no script!! They eventually ran out of money, spliced in some stock footage. Stopped filming and released it. so skip the movie, get the interview.

great wwii flick.......2006-11-10

lots of stars in this movie with a terrific comic relief scene involving
bob newhart as only he can be portrayed

Hell is for Heroes.......2006-07-05

Good story, good action, top rate acting. Not a blockbuster, but well done.

mcqueen makes "heros" shine.......2006-06-02

this gritty little war movie has mcqueen at his best as a soldier who is burning out and placed with a new company just as they retake the line near the end of the war. out maned and gunned, this small group must hold the line at all cost.
just a great little movie with a fine supporting cast,and great action scenes. try it you'll like it

American Heroes Collection (The Bridges at Toko-Ri / Hell Is For Heroes / In Harm's Way)

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The Sacrifices Made In War
The Sacrifices Made In War

American Heroes Collection (The Bridges at Toko-Ri / Hell Is For Heroes / In Harm's Way)
Starring: John Wayne , Kirk Douglas , Patricia Neal , Tom Tryon , and Paula Prentiss
Director: Otto Preminger , Don Siegel , and Mark Robson
Manufacturer: Paramount
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000EQ5SRA
Release Date: 2006-05-09

Product Description

Hell is for Heroes
Steve McQueen delivers a powerful, gripping performance as a defiant loner whose skills as a soldier make him invaluable to his struggling platoon. In the heat of battle during World War II, McQueen and his fellow soldiers find themselves severely outnumbered as they hold off a Nazi advance along the Siegfried Line in France. Using only their ingenuity and bravery, they must bluff the Germans in order to buy some time…and save their lives. Don Siegel directs the explosive action led by an all-star cast, including Bobby Darin, Fess Parker, Harry Guardino, James Coburn, Nick Adams and Bob Newhart. If they can fool the enemy long enough for reinforcements to arrive, victory is theirs.

The Bridges at Toko-Ri

In Harm's Way

Customer Reviews:

The Sacrifices Made In War.......2006-06-20

IN HARM'S WAY is a very interesting WWII film directed and produced by Otto Preminger and is worth repeated viewing for its shear entertainment. John Wayne's subtle yet forceful performance just demonstrates the wide range of his acting abilities. We see John Wayne the actor and consummate professional at work here. He gave an exceptional performance in this film that others can learn from. The whole cast seems in awe of him. Even the usual flamboyant Kirk Douglas seems to have turned it down a notch giving an impressive performance as well. The construction of the characters and their dialogue was well thought out. It seems more powerful today than when it was first released. Its excellent cast includes: Patricia Neal, Tom Tryon, Burgess Meredith, Henry Fonda, Dana Andrews, Hugh O'Brian, Paula Prentiss, Brandon de Wilde, Patrick O'Neal, Franchot Tone, Carroll O'Connor, George Kennedy, Slim Pickens, Bruce Cabot, Larry Hagman, Barbara Bouchet, Stanley Holloway, Jill Haworth and James Mitchum. Jerry Goldsmith composed one of his most introverted scores, which goes against convention for a war film yet it works. This score is an early sign of the great innovative abilities of Jerry Goldsmith. Preminger being the craftsman that he was even helped construct the models of the destroyers and cruisers. Cinematographer, Loyal Griggs received an academy award nomination for his stark black & white images. This is a well-constructed film on all levels.

HELL IS FOR HEROES so we are told. Was there ever a man more misunderstood? Steve McQueen plays a soldier who lives only for the thrill of combat. His character is cold and frightening and borders on the psychotic. He's a sociopath who carves up German soldiers with a butcher knife. After the war there is no going back for him. I saw this when I was a kid. I saw a lot of war movies in the theatre back then but this was the first one that really scared me. It gave me a sick feeling inside of how real war must be like. The scene with the bayonets and landmines left an impact on me for a long time after. Everyone in this film gave realistic performances but I remember how Steve McQueen's character seemed really demented. Yet despite the obvious psychological makeup of McQueen is there still a human being hidden deep within him. What is a hero? Don Siegel directed this tough and mean film and asks this profound question. Cinematographer Harold Lipstein's photography brings stark realism to this film. Composer Leonard Rosenman's score is very reminiscent of his brilliant work for the very popular W.W.II television series "Combat!" which ran for 5 years. This film also boasted a brilliant cast. Bobby Darin, James Coburn, Fess Parker, L.Q. Jones, Nick Adams, Harry Guardino, Mike Kellin and Bob Newhart are all featured. This is an underrated classic.

Perhaps the best of these films is THE BRIDGES AT TOKO-RI. The principal characters are William Holden as Lt. Harry Brubaker USNR, Grace Kelly as his wife Nancy, Fredric March as Rear Admiral George Tarrant, Mickey Rooney as Mike Forney a helicopter rescue pilot and Charles McGraw as Commander Wayne Lee leader of the jet fighter group. THE BRIDGES AT TOKO-RI is a very moving film. The sacrifices that some are called upon to make are often gone untold. This film reminds us of those sacrifices in brilliant almost unsettling color images. When you see William Holden's final scene and then think back to a prior scene of Holden with his family, the message hits home. We see Fredric March on the bridge of the aircraft carrier reflect on the news of Holden. March unknown to Holden kept a watchful eye on him as if he were his own son. When the ultimate sacrifice is made, men in command must stand strong, yet inwardly mourn the loss only to themselves. The sacrifice has not gone unrecognized. It is a simple but powerful message.

The Sacrifices Made In War.......2006-06-20

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Live
Starring: Hell Is for Heroes
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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McQueen simmers just prior to serving in The Great Escape . . .
Bob Newhart (the radio operator) said it all
great wwii flick
Hell is for Heroes
mcqueen makes "heros" shine

Hell Is for Heroes [Region 2]
Starring: Steve McQueen , Bobby Darin , Fess Parker , Harry Guardino , and James Coburn
Director: Don Siegel
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD