Pork Chop Hill (1959)

During the Korean War peace talks, U.S. troops fight to retake a hill from the Communist Chinese forces.

Director:

Lewis Milestone

Writers:

S.L.A. Marshall (book) (as Brig. Gen. S.L.A. Marshall USAR), James R. Webb (screenplay)

Stars:

Gregory Peck, Harry Guardino, Rip Torn

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Gregory Peck	...	Lt. Joe Clemons
Harry Guardino	...	Pvt. Forstman
Rip Torn	...	Lt. Walter Russel
George Peppard	...	Cpl. Chuck Fedderson
Carl Benton Reid	...	American Admiral at Peace Conference
James Edwards	...	Cpl. Jurgens
Bob Steele	...	Col. Kern
Woody Strode	...	Pvt. Franklin
George Shibata	...	Lt. Suki Ohashi
Norman Fell	...	Sgt. Coleman
Lew Gallo	...	Lieutenant - Division Public Relations
Robert Blake	...	Pvt. Velie
Cliff Ketchum	...	Cpl. Payne - Radio Operator
Biff Elliot	...	Pvt. Boven
Charles Aidman	...	Lt. Harrold

Storyline

Grim story of one of the major battles of the Korean War. While negotiators are at work in Panmunjom trying to bring the conflict to a negotiated end, Lt. Joe Clemons is ordered to launch an attack and retake Pork Cop Hill. It's tough on the soldiers who know that the negotiations are under way and no one wants to die when they think it will all soon be over. The hill is of no particular strategic military value but all part of showing resolve during the negotiations. Under the impression that the battle has been won, battalion headquarters orders some of the men withdrawn when in fact they are in dire need of reinforcements and supplies. As the Chinese prepare to counterattack and broadcast propaganda over loudspeakers, the men prepare for what may be their last battle.

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Plot Keywords:

u.s. soldier | american abroad | korean war | year 1953 | based on true story | 

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Taglines:

Bold! Blunt! Blistering! The battle picture without equal!

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Genres:

Action | Drama | War

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

According to director Lewis Milestone, the film was cut by nearly 20 minutes because Gregory Peck's wife felt that her husband made his first entrance too late into the picture. True or not, the film does show signs of post-production tampering, with flashes of several excised scenes showing up under the main title credits.

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Goofs

Just before the American attack on the hill, the commanding officer is pointing out positions on a 3D clay model of the hill with his M4 bayonet. He lays his bayonet on the table and covers it with a paper map, then steps over to the radio man in conversation. He then steps back to the map table and the paper map has disappeared.

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Quotes

Lt. Col. Davis (battalion commander): Pork Chops Been Lost! Get Your Company Ready to Counter-Attack!

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Crazy Credits

Following the opening credits and opening scenes: A RESERVE POSITION NEAR PORK CHOP HILL--70 MILES FROM THE PEACE CONFERENCE AT PUNMUNJOM-KOREA-1953

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Connections

Referenced in Heartbreak Ridge (1986)

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Soundtracks

Autumn in New York
Composed by Vernon Duke
Played over loudspeakers by Chinese broadcaster

User Reviews

A Fine War Film

One of the few classic films about the Korean war, Pork Chop Hill is a genuinely good specimen of a nitty gritty war film in the pre-blood and guts era. What the movie lacks in realistic language and violence it more than makes up for in intensity. Peck is amazing, as usual, as Lt. Joe Clemons, the man leading the charge on the hill. His performance of a man on the edge is very believable. Sympathizing with his plight to try and get reinforcements or the heck outta there is an easy task. The early civil rights-era film seems to also touch on some social issues, showing a camaraderie between all ethnicities. Overall, this is a fine example of a classic war film with one of the finest American actors of all time in the lead role...you can't go wrong.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 June 1959 (UK)

Also Known As:

Pork Chop Hill

Filming Locations:

Patagonia, Arizona, USA

Box Office

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$6,736

Company Credits

Production Co:

Melville Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1