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IMDbPro

Too Late the Hero

  • 19701970
  • PGPG
  • 2h 25m
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
3.7K
YOUR RATING
Too Late the Hero (1970)
A reluctant hero, American Lieutenant Sam Lawson, is seconded to a motley British unit tasked with destroying a Japanese radio on a Philippine island.
Play trailer2:30
1 Video
38 Photos
ActionDramaWar
A reluctant hero, American Lieutenant Sam Lawson, is seconded to a motley British unit tasked with destroying a Japanese radio on a Philippine island.A reluctant hero, American Lieutenant Sam Lawson, is seconded to a motley British unit tasked with destroying a Japanese radio on a Philippine island.A reluctant hero, American Lieutenant Sam Lawson, is seconded to a motley British unit tasked with destroying a Japanese radio on a Philippine island.
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
3.7K
YOUR RATING
    • Robert Aldrich
  • Writers
    • Robert Aldrich(story)
    • Robert Sherman(story)
    • Lukas Heller(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Michael Caine
    • Cliff Robertson
    • Ian Bannen
    • Robert Aldrich
  • Writers
    • Robert Aldrich(story)
    • Robert Sherman(story)
    • Lukas Heller(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Michael Caine
    • Cliff Robertson
    • Ian Bannen
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 49User reviews
    • 24Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 2:30
    Watch Trailer

    Photos38

    Too Late the Hero (1970)
    Too Late the Hero (1970)
    Too Late the Hero (1970)
    Too Late the Hero (1970)
    Cliff Robertson in Too Late the Hero (1970)
    Cliff Robertson in Too Late the Hero (1970)
    Michael Caine in Too Late the Hero (1970)
    Cliff Robertson in Too Late the Hero (1970)
    Michael Caine in Too Late the Hero (1970)
    Lance Percival in Too Late the Hero (1970)
    Sam Kydd in Too Late the Hero (1970)
    Cliff Robertson in Too Late the Hero (1970)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Michael Caine
    Michael Caine
    • Pvt. Tosh Hearne
    Cliff Robertson
    Cliff Robertson
    • Lt. Sam Lawson
    Ian Bannen
    Ian Bannen
    • Pvt. Jock Thornton
    Harry Andrews
    Harry Andrews
    • Col. Thompson
    Ronald Fraser
    Ronald Fraser
    • Pvt. Campbell
    Denholm Elliott
    Denholm Elliott
    • Capt. Hornsby
    Lance Percival
    • Cpl. McLean
    Percy Herbert
    Percy Herbert
    • Sgt. Johnstone
    Patrick Jordan
    Patrick Jordan
    • Sergeant Major
    Sam Kydd
    • Colour-Sergeant
    William Beckley
    William Beckley
    • Pvt. Currie
    Martin Horsey
    • Pvt. Griffiths
    Harvey Jason
    Harvey Jason
    • Signalman Scott
    Don Knight
    Don Knight
    • Pvt. Connolly
    Roger Newman
    • Pvt. Riddle
    Michael Parsons
    • Pvt. Rafferty
    • (as Michael J. Parsons)
    Sean MacDuff
    • Pvt. Rogers
    Frank Webb
    Frank Webb
    • Ensign
      • Robert Aldrich
    • Writers
      • Robert Aldrich(story) (screenplay)
      • Robert Sherman(story)
      • Lukas Heller(screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      While filming in the jungles in the Philippines, Sir Michael Caine seemed to have an unerring sense of direction, and always managed to find his way about. However, filming in the jungles created on the studio backlot in Hollywood was delayed on the first day, as Caine had managed to get himself lost.
    • Goofs
      The British Vickers machine gun had an effective range of 810 yds (740m), but could be used for indirect fire at distances up to 4500 yards (4100m). The British 2-inch mortar had a range of 500 yards (457m). Given that the mortars can reach the edge of the jungle, that gives the width of the open field as around that distance (500 yds). The Japanese Arisaka rifle had an effective range of 400m (360 yds), which would put the British troops out of range. However, the Japanese infantry are seen using a Type 99 Light Machine Gun. This had a range of up to 1600 yds (1500m), though its effective range was more likely considerably less. This means that the British soldiers would not be out of range of this weapon when they stood behind their weapons pits, though it is unlikely the Japanese would try to hit them at that distance.
    • Quotes

      Captain Hornsby: What an extraordinary fellow!

      Colonel Thompson: Well, he is an American.

    • Alternate versions
      When originally released the US and UK versions each had a different survivor at the end of the film.
    • Connections
      Referenced in The Postgraduate Course in Sexual Love (1970)
    • Soundtracks
      Teddy Bear's Picnic
      Music by John W. Bratton

      Lyrics by Jimmy Kennedy

      [Sung by the patrol as it leaves the base]

    User reviews49

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    Hate saved their skins, friendship made them heroes...
    What do you know about psychological warfare? Not much I guess.

    Well, this is a war movie with a major twist. It's much less about shelling the enemy or just drill some holes in him, but more about "really" to outsmart him.

    An American officer, an Interpreter in Japanese, who's a real artist when it comes to avoid the battlefield, is about to get a long awaited leave when he suddenly is tasked to help a bunch of British raiders in their endeavor to capture and destroy a forward listening Japanese outpost.

    Through thick and through thin (literally), men who hate each other as well as hating the American officer (played by Cliff Robertson) have to face a common enemy who masterfully hides in the Jungle.

    One by one they get hunted down by the Japanese. Nevertheless, the mission succeeds, but now the remaining force has to return to base. Not an easy task, considering that the Japanese made prisoners and are using them as bait while they communicate with the only two remaining raiders (Robertson and Michael Caine). Through a microphone and various loudspeakers scattered throughout the Jungle and by performing a highly skillful and mind-shattering blackmail, they try to lure the two to surrender.

    A well timed war drama, masterfully played by all the actors involved figuring Ian Bannen ("The Hill", "The Outrage" etc.), Harry Andrews ("The Hill", "The Charge of the Light Brigade", "Battle of Britain"), Denholm Elliot ("Raiders of the Lost Ark", "A Room with a View"), Ronald Fraser ("The Hill", "The Wild Geese") and Ken Takakura ("The Yakuza", "Antarctica", "Black Rain").

    If you like two movies into one: a War Movie and a Suspense Thriller, then the price is really low.

    The DVD edition is as one may expect from Anchor Bay. No extras included, except for the trailer, but the movie alone is, in my view, a tiny masterpiece and well worth the effort.

    By the way, if you're looking for a similar movie, forget it. It's the only one in its genre. Think about it.
    helpful•22
    5
    • jlpicard1701E
    • Jul 19, 2004

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 26, 1970 (Canada)
      • United States
      • English
    • Also known as
    • Filming locations
      • Caticlan, Malay, Aklan, Philippines
    • Production companies
      • ABC Pictures
      • Associates & Aldrich Company
      • Palomar Pictures International
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • 2 hours 25 minutes

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