Hell to Eternity

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Hell to Eternity

1960,

2h 12m,

War

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Watchlist

83%

6 Reviews

Tomatometer

44%

100+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

83%

Tomatometer

6 Reviews

44%

Popcornmeter

100+ Ratings

Guy Gabaldon is an orphaned Latino youth raised in Los Angeles by an adoptive Japanese-American family. With the dawn of conflict in the Pacific, Gabaldon enlists in the military as a translator. Fighting in the Battle of Saipan, he's horrified at the carnage. So, disobeying orders, he goes behind enemy lines and talks the Japanese into willful surrender, saving thousands of lives on both sides. The film is based on the true story of the decorated World War II veteran.

Mae Tinée

Chicago Tribune

Jun 18, 2020

The film is handled with a fair amount of sensitivity, which frequently saves it from going overboard and the cast Is a capable one, led by Jeff Hunter. However, the picture is almost stolen by an appealing, elderly woman, playing mama Une.

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Howard Thompson

New York Times

Feb 7, 2020

[It's] no great, soaring World War II drama. But as a sturdy anti-war sermon, trimly told and performed with realistic compassion, this medium-sized picture is tough, thoughtful and, especially in one extended battle sequence, tingling.

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Fred Taomae

Shin Nichibei/New Japanese American News

Feb 7, 2020

Although the film ran for two hours and twelve minutes, it did not seem that long as suspense was carried throughout.

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Clyde Gilmour

Maclean's Magazine

Oct 23, 2019

Though evidently based on fact, the martial exploits of the soldier hero (Jeffrey Hunter) are difficult to believe. The story, however, has some unhackneyed elements that deserve attention...

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

May 27, 2014

B-

Earns its stripes by painting the Japanese-Americans during World War II in a positive light and for its relentless attack against racism.

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Michael E. Grost

Classic Film and Television

Aug 9, 2007

Powerful anti-war drama, with a unique point of view on Japanese-American relations.

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Phil Karlson

Director

Jeffrey Hunter

Guy Gabaldon

David Janssen

Sgt. Bill Hazen

Vic Damone

Cpl. Pete Lewis

Patricia Owens

Sheila Lincoln

Richard Eyer

Guy, as a boy

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Synopsis

Guy Gabaldon is an orphaned Latino youth raised in Los Angeles by an adoptive Japanese-American family. With the dawn of conflict in the Pacific, Gabaldon enlists in the military as a translator. Fighting in the Battle of Saipan, he's horrified at the carnage. So, disobeying orders, he goes behind enemy lines and talks the Japanese into willful surrender, saving thousands of lives on both sides. The film is based on the true story of the decorated World War II veteran.

Director: Phil Karlson
Producer: Irving H. Levin
Screenwriter: Ted Sherdeman, Walter Roeber Schmidt
Production Co: Allied Artists, Atlantic Pictures
Genre: War
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 1, 1960, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): May 23, 2016
Runtime: 2h 12m

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