Ten Seconds to Hell (1959)

At the end of the Second World War six German ex-soldiers return to Berlin and set up as a bomb disposal group. The pressure of the dangerous work starts to affect them, the more so as they... See full summary »

Director:

Robert Aldrich

Writers:

Robert Aldrich (screenplay), Teddi Sherman (screenplay),

Stars:

Jack Palance, Jeff Chandler, Martine Carol

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Jack Palance	...	Eric Koertner
Jeff Chandler	...	Karl Wirtz
Martine Carol	...	Margot Hofer
Robert Cornthwaite	...	Franz Loeffler
Dave Willock	...	Peter Tillig
Wesley Addy	...	Wolfgang Sulke (as Wes Addy)
James Goodwin	...	Hans Globke (as Jimmy Goodwin)
Virginia Baker	...	Frau Bauer
Richard Wattis	...	Major Haven
Nancy Lee	...	Ruth Sulke

Storyline

At the end of the Second World War six German ex-soldiers return to Berlin and set up as a bomb disposal group. The pressure of the dangerous work starts to affect them, the more so as they have agreed to pool half their pay so that if only one survives he takes it all. Casualties and friction are inevitable, and having to handle British 1000lb bombs seems particularly bad news.

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Plot Keywords:

ex soldier | prisoner of war | prisoner of war camp | demolitions expert | germany | 

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Taglines:

In Ten Seconds, Thousands Will Be Blown to Hell!

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Genres:

Action | Drama | Romance | War

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 June 1959 (West Germany)

Also Known As:

Vor uns die Hölle

Filming Locations:

UFA Studios, Berlin, Germany

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hammer Film Productions, Seven Arts Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Klangfilm-Eurocord)

Color:

Black and White

Did You Know?

Trivia

Director Robert Aldrich had his name taken off the credits as Producer because the studio cut a half-hour out of the picture without telling him, and he believed that unless they put that footage back in, the film made no sense. The studio refused, so Aldrich had his name taken off as producer.

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Quotes

Karl Wirtz: I guess it's still my bomb.

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Connections

Referenced in Breathless (1960)

User Reviews

The dirty dozen in miniature.

Okay there 's only half-a-dozen in this movie and they are not dirty but there's a strong analogy between "ten seconds to hell" and the 1967 work: a group of men,going for broke ,bound to die one after the other. Jack Palance is impressive in a non-villain part,and his character displays tension,emotion and compassion.Jeff Chandler is also very effective .The defusing scenes have a near-documentary side which makes them very convincing .

The main flaw is Martine Carol's part :her character did not seem to appeal to Aldrich and her scenes come at the most awkward moment.This is the umpteenth story of the French girl who loved (and married) a German and now is looked upon as a traitor to her country.This is a man's story which leaves no place for women as "whatever happened to Baby Jane" is an Aldrich woman's film which men have nothing to do with.