The Reluctant Heroes
| The Reluctant Heroes | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Robert Day |
| Written by | Ernie Frankel Herman Hoffman |
| Screenplay by | Herman Hoffman |
| Produced by | Robert Mirisch Aaron Spelling (executive producer) Shelley Hull (associate producer) |
| Starring | Ken Berry Jim Hutton Trini López Don Marshall Ralph Meeker Cameron Mitchell Warren Oates |
| Cinematography | Archie R. Dalzell |
| Edited by | Art Seid |
| Music by | Frank De Vol |
Production companies | |
| Distributed by |
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Release date |
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Running time | 73 min |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
The Reluctant Heroes was 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 film also deals with some issues.
Storyline
The film is about a tired platoon of men who are about to be sent home, but are picked to hold an observation point.[2] They become a doomed platoon of men with a non military man in charge.[3][4] The man is Lt. Parnell Murphy (played by Ken Berry) who is a military historian and has no combat experience. In order to defend hill 656 which is of strategic importance, he uses military tactics of Napoleon and Alexander the Great,[5] which he draws from his own studies in history.[6][7]
About the film
The original title of the film was The Egghead on Hill 656. It was announced in the April 24, 1971, issue of Billboard as The Egghead on Hill 656.[8] It first aired on ABC on November 23, 1971.[9] It was filmed on a Paramount Studios back lot.[10]
One of the issues addressed in the film is racism.[11][12] Even though the film was lacking in some areas, its emphasis was correct on the strategic importance of bridges.[13]
The original run time of the film was 73 minutes.[14]
Cast
- 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[15][16]
Release
The Reluctant Heroes was shown on ABC on November 23, 1971. The film was released on VHS.[17]
References
- ^ "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 Montreal Gazette November 20, 1971 Page 2 TUESDAY
- ^ The Milwaukee Journal Saturday April 8, 1982 Page 3 Part 2, 7:30, Movie of the Weekend, "The Reluctant Heroes"
- ^ The Milwaukee Sentinel Tuesday, November 23, 1971 Page 14, Part 1 ABC MOVIE OF THE WEEK: "The Reluctant Heroes"
- ^ Letterboxd The Reluctant Heroes 1971
- ^ Turner Classic Movies Reluctant Heroes, The(1971), Also Known As: Egghead on Hill 656, The, Overview, Brief Synopsis
- ^ Billboard April 24, 1971 Page 28 Talent, Music from the Capitals of the World, DOMESTIC
- ^ A Guide to Films on the Korean War By Paul M. Edwards Page 92 59, The Reluctant Heroes (1971)
- ^ Korean War Filmography: 91 English Language Features through 2000 - By Robert J. Lentz Page 293 to 295
- ^ Korean War Filmography: 91 English Language Features through 2000 - By Robert J. Lentz Page 293 to 295
- ^ Korean War Filmography: 91 English Language Features through 2000 - By Robert J. Lentz Page 444 Racism
- ^ Korean War Filmography: 91 English Language Features through 2000 - By Robert J. Lentz Page 293 to 295
- ^ WorldCat The reluctant heroes
- ^ Letterboxd The Reluctant Heroes 1971
- ^ Turner Classic Movies Reluctant Heroes, The(1971), Also Known As: Egghead on Hill 656, The, Overview, Cast & Crew
- ^ "The Reluctant Heroes". Worldvision Enterprises. CBS Television Distribution. ASIN B00008T245. Retrieved November 6, 2016.