The Rack (1956)

Captain Edward Hall returns to the USA after two years in a prison camp in the Korean war. In the camp he was brainwashed and helped the Chinese convince the other prisoners that they were ... See full summary »

Director:

Arnold Laven

Writers:

Stewart Stern (screenplay), Rod Serling (teleplay)

Stars:

Paul Newman, Wendell Corey, Walter Pidgeon

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Paul Newman	...	Capt. Edward W. Hall, Jr.
Wendell Corey	...	Maj. Sam Moulton
Walter Pidgeon	...	Col. Edward W. Hall, Sr.
Edmond O'Brien	...	Lt. Col. Frank Wasnick
Anne Francis	...	Aggie Hall
Lee Marvin	...	Capt. John R. Miller
Cloris Leachman	...	Caroline
Robert Burton	...	Col. Ira Hansen
Robert F. Simon	...	Law Officer (as Robert Simon)
Trevor Bardette	...	Court President
Adam Williams	...	Sgt. Otto Pahnke
James Best	...	Millard Chilson Cassidy
Fay Roope	...	Col. Dudley Smith
Barry Atwater	...	Maj. Byron Phillips

Storyline

Captain Edward Hall returns to the USA after two years in a prison camp in the Korean war. In the camp he was brainwashed and helped the Chinese convince the other prisoners that they were fighting an unjust war. When he comes back he is charged for collaboration with the enemy. Where does loyalty end in a prison camp, when the camp is a living hell?

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Plot Keywords:

prison camp | korean war | captain | extreme closeup | court martial | 

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Taglines:

NOTHING LIKE IT SINCE "THE CAINE MUTINY"! (original print ad - all caps)

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Genres:

Drama | War

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 November 1956 (USA)

Also Known As:

Anklage: Hochverrat

Filming Locations:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Oscar winning Art Director Cedric Gibbons' last feature film.

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Goofs

In his closing argument in defense of Captain Hall, the defense attorney mentions that Capt Hall served in two wars, implying service during World War II and the Korean War. But Capt Hall's uniform has ribbons only for the Korean War.

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Quotes

Captain Edward W. Hall Jr.: Do you know what's the matter with me?
Aggie Hall: No.
Captain Edward W. Hall Jr.: My mother wasn't in the army so I'm a half-breed.

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Connections

Referenced in American Masters: Rod Serling: Submitted for Your Approval (1995)

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Soundtracks

"The Last Time I Saw Paris"
(uncredited)
Music by Jerome Kern
Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein (1940)
Hummed by Walter Pidgeon

User Reviews

I agree its greatly underated

I have to agree this is one of Pauls best movies and it never seems to come up when he is mentioned, the cast is also terriffic. I am sorry it has gone so unnoticed I can only think that it may have been set about the Korean War and that doesnt seem to get much attention.. I thought the acting was sincere and I was draw to this character that seemed to feel he lost his way by being human..