Hell Is for Heroes

Don Siegel’s only war film and unfortunately his only teaming with Steve McQueen, an actor whose rebellious persona jibed well with the director’s vision, it puts the star in the familiar role of antihero. His character, Reese, is an embittered G.I. who has just been sent back to join his war-weary unit holding down a position opposite a pillbox on the Siegfried Line in Belgium. Recently demoted back to private from staff sergeant for drinking, he chafes under all authority, and is a pariah to fellow grunts, despite their awareness of his extraordinary courage in battle. A natural leader, he persuades his sergeant (Harry Guardino) to implement a plan he’s formulated to keep the Germans at bay by making them believe that the small outfit is larger than it is. While this is temporarily effective, Reese knows that it’s only a matter of time before the enemy discovers the truth, and takes it on his own authority to lead an attack on the well-defended pillbox, although his unit has been assigned only to hold their ground., A battle-weary World War II infantry unit, waiting to be shipped home, is ordered to hold a frontline position against superior German opposition near the Siegfried Line. As the men’s morale continues to flag, the unruly Reese starts to emerge as a natural leader, but his recklessness threatens to place his comrades in jeopardy., A powerful retelling of the breach of the Siegfried Line in 1944 told through the eyes of a squadron of American soldiers headed by the great Steve McQueen., An American platoon is cut off behind German lines. John Reese is a surly private, Frank Henshaw a tinkering mechanic while James Driscoll is a typing clerk who uses his fast-talking telephone skills to mislead enemy signallers. WWII action., An American platoon is cut off behind German lines and has to fend off a major attack., Battle action when a group of GIs is assigned to defend an area against the Germans during World War II. Steve McQueen, Bobby Darin, Fess Parker, Bob Newhart, Nick Adams, Harry Guardino, James Coburn, Mike Kellin. Well acted, especially by McQueen. Good direction by Don Siegel., A battle-weary World War II infantry unit, waiting to be shipped home, is ordered to hold a frontline position against superior German opposition near the Siegfried Line. As the men’s morale continues to flag, an unruly private starts to emerge as a natural leader, but his recklessness threatens to place his comrades in jeopardy., Don Siegel’s lean war actioner stars Steve McQueen and James Coburn as American soldiers stranded behind enemy lines. Comic Bob Newhart makes his film debut. (1962)(86 mins)