Retreat, Hell!

Much of the footage of the fighting in and around Seoul and near the Chosin Reservoir came from actual Marine Corps combat photographers (this was l-o-n-g before embedded reporters!). The "sensitive, caring" company commander (Richard Carlson) was a Marine reservist and veteran of WW II who was called back for Korea -- and carried some resentment of the recall with him. The comment "Retreat, hell, we're just attacking in another direction" has been variously attributed to 1st Marine Division Commander Major General Oliver P. Smith or to regimental commander Colonel (later LtGen) Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller. Douglas MacArthur spent most of his involvement in the Korean War in his Far East headquarters in Japan. The battalion executive officer in the movie, "Major Knox," was played by Peter Ortiz (a Ford favorite who appeared in What Price Glory and Rio Grande, both times wearing an eye patch), who was a real-life WW II Marine hero with the O.S.S. in France.

We are in the Korean War, and a U.S. Marine battalion are desperately trying to get thru a snow laden mountain pass before the better equipped enemy kill them all. With their own supplies running out and many of the Marine's losing their belief systems, it's likely that death or glory are the only options.

Film's set during the Korean War are few and far between, it's almost as if it's an overlooked cinema topic in many ways. Pork Chop Hill and MASH aside, you would be hard pressed to name half a dozen films set in and around what has become the forgotten war. Now Retreat, Hell! is nothing to greatly shout about, and certainly it isn't fit to lace up the shiny boots of Gregory Peck's pork chop sizzler (sorry for that). It's however one of those films that you can stumble on with no expectation and enjoy purely on an interesting scale. Riddled with clichés and serving only to achieve its aim of bravado flag waving heroics, it carries a little emotional weight (soldiers insecurities and fears) and molds nicely the mounting tension (the wait for attack is itchy) with its competently handled gun fire. Directed by Joseph H. Lewis (7th Cavalry & The Big Combo) and starring Frank Lovejoy (In a Lonely Place & House of Wax) Richard Carlson (The Ghost Breakers & King Solomon's Mines) and a young and bouncy Russ Tamblyn (Tom Thumb & West Side Story). Retreat, Hell! wont have you hankering for another visit some time in the future, but hopefully, just like me, you will be glad that you at least gave it the time of day. 6/10

The local Fox channel in Los Angeles must have harbored a cell of fans of Retreat, Hell!, because it seemed as if they showed this film at least once a month in the hours between 2 and 5 a.m. I was hooked after one viewing, although I know I came in somewhere in the middle; it was some time before my erratic sleep patterns fell into synch with the program schedule. I can't recommend it too highly--it is a tribute to all cliches of all war movies to that date, without the distraction created by interesting characters, plot or technical skill. Watch it again and again and you'll understand.

War is hell. This grim movie bears that out. At least this black and white movie is consistent from start to finish as it portrays United States Marines landing and later retreating in the frozen hell of Korea. The movie's redeeming qualities are its educational aspects and the actual combat footage. Story, dialog, casting, acting and special effects are all about average. I thought the characterization was better than average at times, as it showed Marines struggling with loss, despair, fear, hope, joy and even expressing compassion. Korea has been termed the forgotten war. That is unfortunate as it was and still is very relevant, even to this day. Witness the recent demonstration of nuclear power by North Korea and the consternation it has generated. The younger generation should be aware of our nations history and this movie can be a fun and enlightening way to do so. They might wonder what Chinese soldiers are doing there. At one point our movie's characters are almost saying a famous line from a later movie--"Who are these guys?" Overall, Retreat, Hell! is a respectable war movie.

This is a war movie which focuses more on the feelings, emotions and insecurities of the platoon as well as providing a shed load of action & explosions. For this to work, you have to care about the characters. The hard edged Colonel is well portrayed and you can see the humanity leaking out of him as the pressure intensifies. The Captain who is centre of attention early n, fades into the background somewhat. The real star is young, fresh faced McDermid. You feel as if you are with him every step of his journey, you feel his nerves, pain & bravery. Although in black and white, you can almost see the red mist descend in one poignant scene. There are loads of explosions and plenty of action for the late night viewer but this is a war film with a deeper than average plot line.