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Too Late the Hero
War. It's a dying business.
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 'heroes' are very reluctant, but they come good when they are pursued by the Japanese who are determined to prevent them returning to base.
- Original title
- Too Late the Hero
- Language
- EN
- Country
- US
- Budget
- $6,250,000
- Revenue
- —
CinemaSerf
Jun 3, 2023 · via TMDB
Cliff Robertson is "Lawson", an American soldier drafted in to lead a squad of war-weary British soldiers on a jungle mission to destroy a Japanese radio transmitter. It isn't that his men are in any way cowardly, but with Michael Caine's "Tosh" foremost amongst them, they are disillusioned at the relentlessness of it all. What do they do that ever makes a difference? The film comes alive as the troop must try to evade their pursuing enemy - and all of their dastardly mantraps and psychological warfare - to return to safety of their outpost. The acting from the two leading men, along with some gritty and plausible contributions from stalwarts Ian Bannen and Ronald Fraser amongst others; some angry but focussed dialogue and the claustrophobic nature of their surroundings all lend well to this solidly paced and characterful war story that shows just what can be achieved when a team pull together - in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.
Wuchak
Mar 15, 2019 · via TMDB
***WW2 jungle warfare*** In 1942 the Brits have a base at the southern tip of a Jap-held island in the Philippines; a unit is sent on a mission with an American Lieutenant (Cliff Robertson) to take down the radio at the northern end of the isle. Michael Caine plays a troublesome private while Denholm Elliott is on hand as the leader of the patrol. In tone and story, “Too Late the Hero” (1970) is similar to “Ambush Bay” (1966); other comparable flicks include “The Bridge on the River Kwai" (1957) and “Beach Red” (1967). Of course “Kwai” is superior, but “Too Late” ain’t no slouch. I had a bad attitude during the first half because of some unrealistic scenes. I’m no veteran of jungle warfare, but I’m pretty sure you shouldn’t be blithely singing songs or loudly talking while traversing jungle trails in enemy territory, especially when it has already been established that Japs could be anywhere. Also, if you’re going to take a nap, wouldn’t it be hidden in the forest undergrowth rather than in a wide open meadow near a trail? Also, am I the only one to find the Jap loudspeaker unit a little unlikely? If you can get past these kinds of eye-rolling flaws, “Too Late the Hero” becomes a gripping and suspenseful Pacific War movie with quality characterizations about a small group of reluctant heroes sweating it out in the jungle and fighting amongst themselves. Even the Jap commander is interesting and unpredictable. The ending is memorable, even iconic; and you don’t know who survives until the final moments. The film runs 2 hours, 13 minutes and was shot in Malay, Aklan, Philippines. GRADE: B
User reviews courtesy of TMDB.
Michael Caine
Pvt. Tosh Hearne
Cliff Robertson
Lt. Sam Lawson
Ian Bannen
Pvt. Jock Thornton
Harry Andrews
Col. Thompson
Denholm Elliott
Captain Hornsby
Ronald Fraser
Private Campbell
Lance Percival
Cpl. McLean
Percy Herbert
Sgt. Johnstone
Sam Kydd
C/Sgt.
Patrick Jordan
Sgt. Major
William Beckley
Pvt. Currie
Martin Horsey
Pvt. Griffiths
Don Knight
Pvt. Connolly
Harvey Jason
Pvt. Scott
William Ross
Soldier
Henry Fonda
Capt. John G Nolan
Ken Takakura
Major Yamaguchi
Eiichi Kikuchi
Japanese Soldier
Robert Ito
Unnamed Japanese Officer (uncredited)
Joseph F. Biroc
Director of Photography
Robert Aldrich
Director
Michael Luciano
Editor
Lynn Stalmaster
Casting
Robert Aldrich
Producer
Gerald Fried
Original Music Composer
Robert Aldrich
Screenplay
Robert Aldrich
Story
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May 20, 1970
