IMDb >
Hell to Eternity (1960)
Watch It
Buy it at Amazon
Rent it at Blockbuster.com
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
BETA
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsHell to Eternity (1960) More at IMDbPro »
Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
Release Date:
1 August 1960 (USA)
more
Tagline:
THE MARINES' BATTLE CRY OF THE SOUTH PACIFIC! (original print ad - all caps) more
Plot:
When his adoptive Japanese-American family is sent to Manzanar after Pearl Harbor, a young Chicano enlists in the marines to become a hero in the Battle of Saipan. full summary | add synopsis
Awards:
1 nomination
more
User Comments:
A true World War II story of tremendous emotional impact
more (21 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only) | Jeffrey Hunter | ... | Guy Gabaldon |
 | David Janssen | ... | Bill |
 | Vic Damone | ... | Pete |
| Patricia Owens | ... | Sheila Lincoln |
| Richard Eyer | ... | Guy, as a boy |
| John Larch | ... | Capt. Schwabe |
| Bill Williams | ... | Leonard |
| Michi Kobi | ... | Sono |
| George Shibata | ... | Kaz Une |
| Reiko Sato | ... | Famika |
| Richard Gardner | ... | Polaski |
| Bob Okazaki | ... | Papa Une |
| George Matsui | ... | George, as a boy |
| Nicky Blair | ... | Martini |
 | George Takei | ... | George (as George Takai) |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
131 min
Country:
Color:
Sound Mix:
Mono (Westrex Recording System)
Certification:
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
There were initially many objections to the striptease dances done by Famika and Sheila, and both were cut considerably in reaction to those objections.
more
Quotes:
Pete:
[looking at Sheila] Do you know her?
Bill: Yeah, I know her. Half the guys on the island know her.
Pete: Well, listen, I'm just passing through, but how about a little introduction?
Bill: Pete, do you remember the football game we played with Navy back in ...
Pete: Don't change the subject, just introduce ...
Bill: Not changing the subject! What was the score?
Pete: Nothing to nothing. There was no score.
Bill: THAT is my point! She's a writer for a magazine back in the States. She writes how everyone should give their all to the servicemen. She just doesn't practice what she preaches, that's all.
more
Bill: Yeah, I know her. Half the guys on the island know her.
Pete: Well, listen, I'm just passing through, but how about a little introduction?
Bill: Pete, do you remember the football game we played with Navy back in ...
Pete: Don't change the subject, just introduce ...
Bill: Not changing the subject! What was the score?
Pete: Nothing to nothing. There was no score.
Bill: THAT is my point! She's a writer for a magazine back in the States. She writes how everyone should give their all to the servicemen. She just doesn't practice what she preaches, that's all.
more
FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (21 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Hell to Eternity (1960) moreRecommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| Empire of the Sun | All Quiet on the Western Front | They Were Expendable | I Was an American Spy | Pride of the Marines |
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| IMDb Biography section | IMDb USA section | Add this title to MyMovies |
World War II hero Guy Gabaldon's story could hardly have been entrusted to a more suitable director than Phil Karlson. Karlson brings a tough masculine style, as well as an emotional impact that would have eluded many a director of action films. Operating as usual on a less-than-A budget, Karlson nonetheless makes the most out of every scene and elicits excellent performances from his cast.
Hell to Eternity is by far the most violent war film made up to that time. But Karlson's outbursts of violence are always tied to a strong emotional response, making the violence anything but gratuitous.
The film is also notable for a surprisingly provocative striptease by Patricia Owens and and an equally provocative kiss between her and Jeffrey Hunter. In terms of its violence and sexual content, Hell to Eternity probably went as far as the censors would allow in 1960.
As Gabaldon, Jeffrey Hunter gives a performance of great sympathy, but also one of considerable edge in his battle scenes. It's a difficult role, because he has to express the moral dilemma of a man raised by a Japanese-American family who is tasked with fighting the Japanese during WW2. The fact that Hunter made King of Kings only one year after this film and also offered diverse characterizations in Key Witness and Sergeant Rutledge the same year as Hell to Eternity is a testament to his versatility as an actor.
Leith Stevens provides an outstanding dramatic score, which unfortunately was poorly represented by the soundtrack album, which contained mainly his jazz-oriented incidental music.
The lower-than-A budget for this film more than likely accounts for it not being better known. But make no mistake about it - it's one of the most powerful war films ever made.