The Reluctant Heroes is a made-for-TV movie and war film set in the period of the Korean War. It was directed by Robert Day and starred Ken Berry, Jim Hutton, Trini López, Don Marshall, Ralph Meeker, Cameron Mitchell and Warren Oates.[1]
| The Reluctant Heroes | |
|---|---|
| Written by | Ernie Frankel Herman Hoffman |
| Screenplay by | Herman Hoffman |
| Directed by | Robert Day |
| Starring | Ken Berry Jim Hutton Trini López Don Marshall Ralph Meeker Cameron Mitchell Warren Oates |
| Music by | Frank De Vol |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Executive producer | Aaron Spelling |
| Producer | Robert Mirisch |
| Cinematography | Archie R. Dalzell |
| Editor | Art Seid |
| Running time | 73 min |
| Production company | Aaron Spelling Productions |
| Original release | |
| Network | ABC |
| Release | November 23, 1971 |
Plot
editA tired platoon is about to be sent home, but is picked to hold an observation point.[2] They are led by the inexperienced Lt. Parnell Murphy (Ken Berry), who is a military historian with no combat experience. In order to defend Hill 656, which has strategic importance, he uses military tactics of Napoleon and Alexander the Great,[3] which he draws from his own studies in history.
Cast
edit- Lt. Parnell Murphy ... Ken Berry
- Cpl. Bill Lukens ... Jim Hutton
- Pvt. Sam Rivera ... Trini López
- Pvt. Carver LeMoyne ... Don Marshall
- Capt. Luke Danvers ... Ralph Meeker
- Sgt. Marion Bryce ... Cameron Mitchell
- Cpl. Leroy Sprague ... Warren Oates
- Pvt. Golden ... Richard Young
- Cpl. Bates ... Michael St. George
- Korean Officer ... Soon-Tek Oh
Production
editThe original title of the film was The Egghead on Hill 656 and was based on an original script by Herman Hoffman. Robert Mirsch signed to produce in February 1971.[4]
It was filmed on a Paramount Studios back lot.[5]
One of the issues addressed in the film is racism.[5][6] Even though the film was lacking in some areas, its emphasis was correct on the strategic importance of bridges.[5]
Release
editThe Los Angeles Times said "there is nothing new in the movie" but it "has its entertaining moments mostly because the players on the screen are so easy to watch."[7]
References
edit- ^ "The Reluctant Heroes". Turner Classic Movies. Atlanta: Turner Broadcasting System (Time Warner). Retrieved November 6, 2016.
- ^ The Evening News November 23, 1971 5B TV Highlights, MOVIE OF THE WEEK - "The Reluctant Heroes
- ^ The Milwaukee Sentinel Tuesday, November 23, 1971 Page 14, Part 1 ABC MOVIE OF THE WEEK: "The Reluctant Heroes"
- ^ Mirisch Will Produce 'The Egghead' Movie Los Angeles Times 26 Feb 1971: i22.
- ^ a b c Lentz 2003, pp. 293-95.
- ^ Lentz 2003, pp. 444.
- ^ Beary Saves the Day With Indian Tactics Beigel, Jerry. Los Angeles Times 23 Nov 1971: f16.
Bibliography
edit- Lentz, Robert J. (2003). Korean War Filmography. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company. ISBN 978-0-7864-1046-0. OCLC 50630520.
External links
edit- The Reluctant Heroes at IMDb
- The Reluctant Heroes at Letterbox DVD
- Reluctant Heroes at TCMDB