6.8/10
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Too Late the Hero (1970)

GP | | Action, War, Drama | 10 September 1970 (Italy)
Too Late the Hero Poster
A reluctant hero, American Lieutenant Sam Lawson, is secunded to a motley British unit tasked with destroying a Japanese radio on a Philippine island.

Director:

Writers:

(story), (story) | 2 more credits »

Stars:

, , | See full cast & crew »
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
... Pvt. Tosh Hearne
... Lt. Sam Lawson
... Pvt. Jock Thornton
... Col. Thompson
... Pvt. Campbell
... Capt. Hornsby
Lance Percival ... Cpl. McLean
... Sgt. Johnstone
Patrick Jordan ... Sergeant Major
Sam Kydd ... Colour-Sergeant
... Pvt. Currie
Martin Horsey ... Pvt. Griffiths
... Signalman Scott
... Pvt. Connolly
Roger Newman ... Pvt. Riddle
See full cast »
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Storyline

A WWII film set on a Pacific island. Japanese and allied forces occupy different parts of the island. When a group of British soldiers are sent on a mission behind enemy lines, things don't go exactly to plan. This film differs in that some of the 'heros' are very reluctant, but they come good when they are pursued by the Japanese who are determined to prevent them returning to base. Written by Rob Hartill

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

japanese | captain | behind enemy lines | lieutenant | private | See All (76) »

Taglines:

War. It's A Dying Business.

Genres:

Action | War | Drama

Certificate:

GP | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

10 September 1970 (Italy)  »

Also Known As:

Suicide Run  »

Filming Locations:

 »
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Box Office

Budget:

$6,250,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$615,000, 31 December 1970

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,590,000, 31 December 1970
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

Production Co:

, ,  »
Show more on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

(video compilation) | (TCM Print)

Sound Mix:

(Westrex Recording System) (70 mm prints)| (Westrex Recording System) (35 mm prints)

Color:

(Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See  »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

A sign in the head nurse's office reads "Sister George". This is an allusion to one of Robert Aldrich's previous films, and one of his personal favorites, The Killing of Sister George (1968). See more »

Goofs

When Lt. Lawson confers with Col. Thompson in the HQ, the Union Flag on the wall behind Col. Thompson is upside down. In another shot, it is up the right way. During the shoot at Cubi Point in he Philippines, someone stole the flag sometime during the night. They had to send to Hong Kong for another one and the new one was replaced the right way up. See more »

Quotes

Captain Hornsby: Good afternoon. Glad you'll be coming along.
Pvt. Tosh Hearne: [Glumly] That makes one of us.
See more »

Connections

Referenced in Rainbow Bridge (1972) See more »

Soundtracks

Teddy Bear's Picnic
Written by John W. Bratton
Lyrics by Jimmy Kennedy
Sung by the patrol as it leaves the base
See more »

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User Reviews

commandos on a island take up a impossible mission
11 July 2004 | by – See all my reviews

TOO LATE THE HERO is a top notch war film about a british unit plus one american who must destroy a japanese communications station on a island. The mission for all purposes is impossible. TOO LATE THE HERO is long in a few spots, yet the film overcomes this flaw and the pace flows smoothly again. The film has a gritty realism to it which is aided by the deep jungle locations the film was shot at. Fans of FARWELL TO THE KING will enjoy this film as well, as it is up the same alley as that Nick Nolte film. OOne thing I enjoyed about this film were the casualty levels on the japanese and allied sides; these were were very realistic.
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