Movie Reviews for Battle Hymn

Battle Hymn

	List Price: ~~$14.98~~ Our Price: $6.31 You Save: $8.67 (58%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $4.49 (click here) Category: DVD See more DVD releases

Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada

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.

Movie Review: The Rock as a minister?
Summary: 4 Stars

The producers wanted Robert Mitchum to play the leading role for this movie, but the real Dean Hess did not want someone who was convicted for marijuana use to portray him in the movie. So, Hudson got the part. I found it a touching film that portrayed the early days of Korea. The Mustangs had the correct markings and the aerial sequences are good. The enemy Yaks were actually T-28 trainers. War is filled with tragedy, and the killing of civilians in this movie brings that fact home. It is an enjoyable '50's era war film about a war that seems almost forgotten today, which is unfortunate. The airlift rescue of the orphans gives a happy ending to the movie about a war that did not end the way Americans were accustom to.

Movie Review: Korean War Story
Summary: 4 Stars

Based upon a true event from the "forgotten war", this film should be remade and credit given to ALL who made the orphan rescue happen. History shows that the true heros of this event were the ones given little or no credit. Sgt Meryl Strang is not even mentioned. Oh well...the story is compelling and the actors although not Korean do a fine job. Even Rock Hudson gives a good performance...now if only they would remake it and tell the whole story...

Movie Review: Pleasing Movie
Summary: 4 Stars

I saw this show when I was young and wanted to see it again and I was not disappointed with it. The story was good and the actors performed very well to set it off. Worth watching for the older generation as the young wouldn't understand the true meaning of the show.