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:

Temperatures reached 117 °F during filming. Some of the day sequences were changed to night so the cast would not collapse from the heat.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: When laying out the ammo boxes connected to wires: A) It is night but there are obvious shadows B) The wire reels movement does not correspond to man movement. While moving through rough country, the wire spools unroll rather smoothly. C) When the lines are laid, the hands shaking the wires move only slightly, but the ammo boxes shake wildly.

Quotes:

Pvt. Dave Corby: Hey, how you doin', buddy? As you can see, we eat very well around here. Hey, on the up and up, if there's anything you might need, I'm the guy to see around here. If I don't have it, I can get it for you.
Pvt. John Reese: Beat it.
Pvt. Dave Corby: Oh, excuse me. I didn't recognize you, General.

Movie Connections:

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

One of the best WW2 B movies

WW2 B actioners are usually very good or very bad. This one belongs in every War Movie Buff's collection. One of the soon to be best action directors of his generation making a film with a half dozen of the soon to be best screen and TV actors to come out in the 60s. McQueen is at his classic Lonesome Cool persona best here. James Coburn at his quirky supporting role best. Bobby Darin, Nick Adams, Fess Parker and a new comedian turning actor called Bob Newhart. This movie couldn't miss. Even the small budget and stock footage doesn't tarnish it. Newhart has said they ran out of money and couldn't shoot the original ending so the ending as it is was shot on the fly. It is CLASSIC. This fact alone shows the quality of the people who made this little number. Much better than most of the lumbering big budget WW2 A films of the period like "The Longest Day" and "Bridge on the River Kwi". Both good films but not nearly as exciting and gripping as this gritty little B movie.