A few war movies have been made in which the lead actors play characters who are reluctant to be in the military or to take on their assignments. Not only are they not heroes, but they seem almost unpatriotic. We viewers, including those of us who are veterans, can understand that no one in his right mind truly wants to be in combat. But that doesn't mean one is a coward. A healthy dose of fear is not only common but natural. Survival in war isn't a matter of patriotism or not. Most of the time, men in combat follow orders because they must. There aren't other good choices. So, it's not very common to see or hear outright backtalk by men in combat.
There also have been a few movies in which whole units or groups of combatants appear very lax and near to the point of insubordination. At that point, the ability of leaders to hold units together becomes precarious. Other than for comedies or spoofs of military life, most war films have not had such lax settings of troops. "Too Late the Hero" is an exception to both of these situations.
Cliff Robertson plays Lt. Sam Lawson, who, as a Japanese language specialist, enjoys a life of ease and insubordination well behind the front lines in the Pacific. He is sent on a mission to an island occupied both by British and Japanese forces. The two forces have a sort of demilitarized zone between them. The British camp is under Col. Thompson, played by Harry Andrews. It is a lax operation, but capable of springing into action at a notice. Lawson is the only Yank in this bunch and is assigned to a squad of men who are to knock out a Japanese radio station. There's a little more to it than that. But the squad consists of several wisecracking, in- fighting and unenthusiastic Brits. They are capable, but they don't like being there or going on missions.
Denholm Elliott plays Capt. Hornsby, who is in charge of the mission. Michael Caine is the co-star of the film and plays an enlisted medic, Pvt. Tosh Hearne. A host of good supporting actors makes up the rest of the members of the squad and some other Brits at the camp.
The plot and script of this film are very good. The antagonism among the men is very interesting. One wouldn't expect it among comrades during a precarious combat situation. To say more about the story as it unfolds would lessen its enjoyment for viewers. Although the bickering and insubordination seem unbelievable at times, this movie has some very good drama. And the action is very good. The filming location in remote areas of the Philippine Islands lends authenticity to the movie.
This film gives a decent portrayal of jungle combat which was a hallmark of the Pacific theater of operations during WW II. The other hallmark was the number and breadth of naval engagements, including aircraft. "Too Late the Hero" has the production quality, top acting and story that makes it a good film to have in any war movie library.
There also have been a few movies in which whole units or groups of combatants appear very lax and near to the point of insubordination. At that point, the ability of leaders to hold units together becomes precarious. Other than for comedies or spoofs of military life, most war films have not had such lax settings of troops. "Too Late the Hero" is an exception to both of these situations.
Cliff Robertson plays Lt. Sam Lawson, who, as a Japanese language specialist, enjoys a life of ease and insubordination well behind the front lines in the Pacific. He is sent on a mission to an island occupied both by British and Japanese forces. The two forces have a sort of demilitarized zone between them. The British camp is under Col. Thompson, played by Harry Andrews. It is a lax operation, but capable of springing into action at a notice. Lawson is the only Yank in this bunch and is assigned to a squad of men who are to knock out a Japanese radio station. There's a little more to it than that. But the squad consists of several wisecracking, in- fighting and unenthusiastic Brits. They are capable, but they don't like being there or going on missions.
Denholm Elliott plays Capt. Hornsby, who is in charge of the mission. Michael Caine is the co-star of the film and plays an enlisted medic, Pvt. Tosh Hearne. A host of good supporting actors makes up the rest of the members of the squad and some other Brits at the camp.
The plot and script of this film are very good. The antagonism among the men is very interesting. One wouldn't expect it among comrades during a precarious combat situation. To say more about the story as it unfolds would lessen its enjoyment for viewers. Although the bickering and insubordination seem unbelievable at times, this movie has some very good drama. And the action is very good. The filming location in remote areas of the Philippine Islands lends authenticity to the movie.
This film gives a decent portrayal of jungle combat which was a hallmark of the Pacific theater of operations during WW II. The other hallmark was the number and breadth of naval engagements, including aircraft. "Too Late the Hero" has the production quality, top acting and story that makes it a good film to have in any war movie library.