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IMDbPro

Hell and Back Again

  • 20112011
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 1h 28m
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
2.3K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
77,863
7,758
Hell and Back Again (2011)
A documentary on soldiers who have returned home from fighting in Afghanistan.
Play trailer2:01
2 Videos
7 Photos
DocumentaryActionHistory
What does it mean to lead men in war? What does it mean to come home? Hell and Back Again is a cinematically revolutionary film that asks and answers these questions with a power and intimac... Read allWhat does it mean to lead men in war? What does it mean to come home? Hell and Back Again is a cinematically revolutionary film that asks and answers these questions with a power and intimacy no previous film about the conflict in Afghanistan has been able to achieve. It is a mas... Read allWhat does it mean to lead men in war? What does it mean to come home? Hell and Back Again is a cinematically revolutionary film that asks and answers these questions with a power and intimacy no previous film about the conflict in Afghanistan has been able to achieve. It is a masterpiece in the cinema of war.
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
2.3K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
77,863
7,758
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Director
      • Danfung Dennis
    • Stars
      • Nathan Harris
      • Ashley Harris
      • The Marines of Echo Company
    Top credits
    • Director
      • Danfung Dennis
    • Stars
      • Nathan Harris
      • Ashley Harris
      • The Marines of Echo Company
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 23User reviews
    • 31Critic reviews
    • 81Metascore
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar
      • 4 wins & 9 nominations total

    Videos2

    U.S. Version
    Trailer 2:01
    U.S. Version
    HELL AND BACK AGAIN
    Clip 1:09
    HELL AND BACK AGAIN

    Photos7

    Hell and Back Again (2011)
    Hell and Back Again (2011)
    Hell and Back Again (2011)
    Hell and Back Again (2011)
    Hell and Back Again (2011)
    Hell and Back Again (2011)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Nathan Harris
    • Self
    • (as Sgt Nathan Harris)
    Ashley Harris
    • Self
    The Marines of Echo Company
    • Themselves
    Christian Cabaniss
    • Self
    • (as Lt Col Christian Cabaniss)
    Eric Meador
    • Self
    • (as Cot Eric Meador)
    Ted Hubbard
    • Self
    • (as Lt Edward Hubbard)
    Terry Roberts
    • Self
    • (as Chaplain Terry Roberts)
    Doug Webb
    • Self
    • (as SSgt Doug Webb)
    Robert Gaines
    • Self
    • (as Lt Cmdr Robert Gaines)
    Matthew Swibe
    • Self
    • (as Lt Cmdr Matthew Swibe)
    Chris MacDonald
    • Self
    • (as Sgt Chris MacDonald)
    • Director
      • Danfung Dennis
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The title is probably a reference to the classic war film To Hell and Back (1955), which starred Audie Murphy as himself in a dramatic re-telling of his experiences as the most decorated American combat soldier of WWII. This could be regarded as a documentary version of the same concept.
    • Goofs
      Despite an establishing shot of the exterior of a Walgreens pharmacy, the scene where Nathan's wife purchases his prescriptions is clearly filmed inside a CVS pharmacy, as seen on the cashier's name tag.
    • Quotes

      Nathan Harris: If I do everything right, and all my men do everything right, I still can die. So You just have to accept it.

    • Connections
      Edited into Independent Lens: Hell and Back Again (2012)
    • Soundtracks
      Hell And Back
      Music & Lyrics by J. Ralph

      Performed by Willie Nelson

    User reviews23

    Review
    Top review
    9/10
    A great documentary that will bring out different things from different people
    Many documentaries have some sort of bias, whether it be "pro" or "anti" something or other. "To Hell and Back Again" is different in that it will probably expose one's opinions without really having one itself. The documentary follows the life of Sgt Nathan Harris and his wife Ashley who live in a small town in North Carolina. Nathan is a marine who, on his third tour of duty, is wounded in his leg and has to go through extensive and painful therapy. Danfung Dennis cuts between these images and those he took earlier of Nathan leading his platoon in an intense tour in Afghanistan. The contrasts are incredible and help emphasize everything that a marine goes through both abroad and at home. Some images are severe, such as the deaths of an American LCP and an Afghan soldier (both die off screen but you do see their bodies moments after)

    The footage of Nathan at home, however, is what may bring out very different responses. He is obviously in extreme pain and has a harder life, yet is still very gung-ho and dreams of a full recovery and return to the front line (which got a gasp of disbelief by some in my theater). He also is very interested in firearms, and there are several shots of him and his pistols which he keeps near his bed and which he trains his wife how to use. She, meanwhile, must deal with the stress of caring for an injured husband while still performing her daily routine. Together, they see people in their community (who are quite positive), the marine doctors (who are hopeful for his recovery), and attend a very sad memorial for recently KIA soldiers at the base.

    To anyone who is staunchly pro-military, the footage should be quite uplifting. Nathan is determined to recover (and he does noticeably improve though as of April 2011 is not fully healed) and the support of his community and especially his wife is heartwarming. Those who are not so gung-ho will probably be shocked by the footage. In the Q&A with the director and Ashley after the screening, one woman asked Ashley if she was scared for her life at all (a reference to Nathan's constant gun wielding, which she wasn't). Regardless of your leanings though this is an excellent documentary and should not be missed.
    helpful•21
    12
    • akeason1
    • Apr 22, 2011

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 5, 2011 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • United Kingdom
      • Afghanistan
    • Official site
      • Official site
    • Languages
      • English
      • Pashtu
      • Dari
    • Also known as
      • Helvetet tur och retur
    • Filming locations
      • Afghanistan
    • Production companies
      • Roast Beef Productions
      • Sabotage Films Vienna
      • Thought Engine Media Group
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $40,634
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $3,413
      • Oct 9, 2011
    • Gross worldwide
      • $40,949
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 28 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.78 : 1

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