Battle Hymn
by Douglas Sirk
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Anna Kashfi, Dan Duryea, Don DeFore, Martha Hyer, Rock HudsonDirector: Douglas Sirk
Brand: Universal Studios
Cinematographer: Russell Metty
Editor: Russell F. Schoengarth
Producer: Ross Hunter
Writer: Charles Grayson
Writer: Vincent B. Evans
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language)
Format: Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC, Widescreen
Picture Format: 2.35:1
Running Time: 108 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2004-05-25
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Universal Studios
Movie Reviews of Battle Hymn
Movie Review: Sirk's forgotten wartime drama
Summary: 4 Stars
When one thinks of the films directed by Douglas Sirk, the mind instantly recalls his series of lush, Technicolor-soaked melodramas ("All That Heaven Allows", "Magnificent Obsession" and "Written on the Wind"). Often forgotten though are the two outstanding wartime dramas - "A Time to Love and a Time to Die", and BATTLE HYMN (1957)...
Based on a true story, Sirk regular Rock Hudson stars as Colonel Dean Hess, a former WW2 pilot traumatised after accidentally bombing a German orphanage. In an effort to make amends, Hess becomes a minister but is still haunted by his wartime experiences. When the Korean War breaks out, Hess enlists for a training camp in South Korea but soon finds an even greater purpose, assisting En Soon Yang (Anna Kashfi), a lovely half-Indian half-Korean woman, in caring for and housing over 400 homeless Korean orphans.
Robert Mitchum was originally slated to play the role of Hess, but his controversial 1949 drug-possessions charge--something which his reputation and career never quite recovered from--blackballed him from the project. Martha Hyer, playing Mrs Hess, does a fine job, during a period when she was really riding high on a series of superior roles (which also included Barbara Lamont in "The Best of Everything", and Gwen French in "Some Came Running"). Aside from Hudson, the best performances come from Anna Kashfi as orphanage mistress Soon Yang, Dan Duryea as the comical Sergeant Herman, and Philip Ahn as Lun-Wa, an elderly drifter who is called into helping the orphans.
I'll probably always slightly prefer Sirk's underrated WW2 drama "A Time to Love...", but on it's merits this is a fantastic film. Perfecly balancing breathtaking aerial battle scenes with the human drama of the orphans, BATTLE HYMN isn't your typical war movie, making it far more accessible for a wider audience bracket. Even if war movies aren't your cup of tea, I guarantee you'll find the story completely fascinating.
The DVD is sadly virtually bare-bones except for the trailer. Recommended.
Summary of Battle Hymn
The story of dean hess a world war ii pilot who became a minister and went to korea to open an orphanage Studio: Uni Dist Corp. (mca) Release Date: 05/25/2004 Starring: James Edwards Martha Hyer Run time: 108 minutes Rating: Nr Director: Douglas SirkDrama DVD Video
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