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IMDbPro

The Reluctant Heroes

  • TV Movie
  • 1971
  • Not Rated
  • 1h 13m
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
111
YOUR RATING
The Reluctant Heroes (1971)
DramaWar

During the Korean War, a newly commissioned lieutenant finds that he and his men are trapped after the enemy surrounds their position. Despite having had no leadership training, he uses anci... Read allDuring the Korean War, a newly commissioned lieutenant finds that he and his men are trapped after the enemy surrounds their position. Despite having had no leadership training, he uses ancient tactics he remembers from his history books to try to get them out of their seemingly ... Read allDuring the Korean War, a newly commissioned lieutenant finds that he and his men are trapped after the enemy surrounds their position. Despite having had no leadership training, he uses ancient tactics he remembers from his history books to try to get them out of their seemingly hopeless situation.

  • Director
    • Robert Day
  • Writers
    • Ernest Frankel
    • Herman Hoffman
  • Stars
    • Ken Berry
    • Jim Hutton
    • Trini López
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.1/10
    111
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Robert Day
    • Writers
      • Ernest Frankel
      • Herman Hoffman
    • Stars
      • Ken Berry
      • Jim Hutton
      • Trini López
    • 9User reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos4

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    Top cast10

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    Ken Berry
    Ken Berry
    • Lt. Parnell Murphy
    Jim Hutton
    Jim Hutton
    • Cpl. Bill Lukens
    Trini López
    Trini López
    • Pvt. Sam Rivera
    Don Marshall
    Don Marshall
    • Pvt. Carver LeMoyne
    Ralph Meeker
    Ralph Meeker
    • Capt. Luke Danvers
    Cameron Mitchell
    Cameron Mitchell
    • Sgt. Marion Bryce
    Warren Oates
    Warren Oates
    • Cpl. Leroy Sprague
    Richard Young
    Richard Young
    • Pvt. Golden
    Michael St. George
    • Cpl. Bates
    Soon-Tek Oh
    Soon-Tek Oh
    • Korean Officer
    • Director
      • Robert Day
    • Writers
      • Ernest Frankel
      • Herman Hoffman
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews9

    7.1111
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    Featured reviews

    8rsmithclan-06397

    Great made for tv movie in the early 70's

    I saw this movie once, in 1971. I was 9 years old. I have tried to find this movie, unsuccessfully, to watch again. Now, at age 61, I can still quote a few lines and remember the movie fondly. I would love to find it again.

    It has a great cast, engaging story of unlikely heroes. Yes, it's a movie about the Korean Conflict, which was filled with the horrors of war, but the movie manages to be familiar friendly and is punctuated with light humor. It has sadness with being depressing, and humor without being frivolous.

    Please, whoever has the rights to this, release it some platforms to watch, rent, or buy.
    pertti.jarla

    Lightweight warfare

    This is a pretty cheap and unspectacular made-for-television war adventure. Some lame "intellectual talk", long hairs and false military equipment on the North Korean side. Ralph Meeker seems drugged or something. There is, however, something to keep this thing bearable from beginning to end, if you are into war films. The plot is pretty clear and tight and there are no dead moments (well, it´s only 73 minutes). It feels just like watching an episode of an entertaining early 70´s war series. That´s not necessarily a bad way to spend some time. Don´t expect too much, though.
    davidemartin

    Unusual casting for Ken Berry

    The ABC Tuesday Movie of the Week strikes again. I loved that series as a teen. The demand for 30 original movies a year (double that when the WEDNESDAY Movie of the Week came online) meant a lot of actors got work in ways they might not have before. Ken Berry was best known for F TROOP and MAYBERRY RFD. Who knew he had the potential for a war movie too? Yes, the film is a bit lightweight but so what? The MotW format was not intended to give us epics (which it sometimes did, anyway). The cast does a decent job, the production is pretty good for something shot in the hills outside LA, and anything with Soon-Tek Oh in it-- I'm there!
    7RoughtNews

    An entertaining, light-hearted war movie.

    I first saw the Reluctant Heroes a couple of years after it was released. The story is about a unit of soldiers in Korea who are trapped behind enemy lines. Their Captain has been killed and the only officer left is a military historian who has no actual combat experience. He reluctantly takes charge and uses a number of interesting tricks learned from his studies to preserve the lives of the squad members and to accomplish their mission.

    I would love to see this movie released on DVD or VHS.
    searchanddestroy-1

    What a disappointment

    I expected far better than this MASH like crap. I don't speak of the story of course, because it is not a question of a hospital here, but I talk about the overall atmosphere. A light heartened one, that's just the problem with it. The movies made during the late sixties and early seventies were far more pessimistic and dark than this crap. The common war movie with super heroes fighting against evil enemies. with the happy ending. Forget this non sense garbage and Watch CROSS OF IRON instead. don't lose your time with this feature.

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    Related interests

    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama
    Band of Brothers (2001)
    War

    Storyline

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    Details

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    • Release date
      • November 23, 1971 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • The Reluctant Heroes of Hill 656
    • Filming locations
      • Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA(Studio)
    • Production companies
      • Aaron Spelling Productions
      • American Broadcasting Company (ABC)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 13m(73 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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