Retreat, Hell!

19521952
PGPG
1h 35m

The saga of a battalion of U.S. Marines during the Korean War, starting with their training, landing at Inchon in 1950, advance into North Korea and their subsequent retreat back to the 38th... Read allThe saga of a battalion of U.S. Marines during the Korean War, starting with their training, landing at Inchon in 1950, advance into North Korea and their subsequent retreat back to the 38th parallel.The saga of a battalion of U.S. Marines during the Korean War, starting with their training, landing at Inchon in 1950, advance into North Korea and their subsequent retreat back to the 38th parallel.

6.5/10

449

Director
- Joseph H. Lewis
Writers
- Milton Sperling(screenplay)
- Ted Sherdeman(screenplay)
Stars

Top credits

See production, box office & company info

See more at IMDbPro

Richard Carlson, Frank Lovejoy, and Russ Tamblyn in Retreat, Hell! (1952)

Fred Datig Jr., Monte Lee, and Mack Williams in Retreat, Hell! (1952)

William Cabanne and Sue Fawn Chung in Retreat, Hell! (1952)

Anita Louise and Frank Lovejoy in Retreat, Hell! (1952)

Fred Datig Jr. and Mack Williams in Retreat, Hell! (1952)

Monte Lee and Frank Lovejoy in Retreat, Hell! (1952)

Director
- Joseph H. Lewis
Writers
- Milton Sperling(screenplay) (story)
- Ted Sherdeman(screenplay)
All cast & crew
See more cast details at IMDbPro

During the Korean War, a U.S. Marine battalion must fight its way out of a frozen mountain pass despite diminishing supplies, freezing temperatures and constant attacks by overwhelming numbers of Chinese soldiers. —frankfob2@yahoo.com

american abroad nco marine punctuation in title jujitsu 111 more

Taglines
- A bunch of husky guys in battle-green who showed the world you can't stop a Marine.
Genres
- Drama
- War
Certificate
- PG
Parents guide

Trivia
When asked if they were retreating, Frank Lovejoy's character, Lt. Col Steve Corbett, says, "Retreat, hell! We're not retreating, we're just advancing in a different direction." This was actually said by Maj. Gen. O.P. Smith, who was Commanding General of the 1st Marine Division at the Battle of Chosin Reservoir.

Goofs
Right after the Marines stop the huge communist attack near the end of the movie, Captain Hansen gets out of his foxhole to check on his men. Nearby are dozens of fallen enemy troops. If any of these soldiers were just wounded or pretending to be dead, they could easily have shot Hansen, since he was fully exposed to them. A real Marine officer would never have been this careless.

Quotes
Lt. Col. Steve L. Corbett: Retreat hell! We're not retreating, we're just advancing in a different direction.

Top review

7/10

A fighting retreat is not a defeat

War is hell. This grim movie bears that out. At least this black and white movie is consistent from start to finish as it portrays United States Marines landing and later retreating in the frozen hell of Korea. The movie's redeeming qualities are its educational aspects and the actual combat footage. Story, dialog, casting, acting and special effects are all about average. I thought the characterization was better than average at times, as it showed Marines struggling with loss, despair, fear, hope, joy and even expressing compassion. Korea has been termed the forgotten war. That is unfortunate as it was and still is very relevant, even to this day. Witness the recent demonstration of nuclear power by North Korea and the consternation it has generated. The younger generation should be aware of our nations history and this movie can be a fun and enlightening way to do so. They might wonder what Chinese soldiers are doing there. At one point our movie's characters are almost saying a famous line from a later movie--"Who are these guys?" Overall, Retreat, Hell! is a respectable war movie.

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