Retreat Hell

A compelling account of the Marines at Chosin
Unfortunately too few movies were made of the Korean War. The battle at the Chosin Reservoir was one of the finest hours in the history of the Marine Corps as they fought and escaped entrapment by a vastly superior Chinese force. While this movie doesnt deplict the incredible hardships significantly it does give a general accurate picture of what took place there. Frank Lovejoy is believable as is the rest of the cast although some of the characters are portrayed rather lightly given the historic reality. You will probably find yourself singing the Marine hymn at the end if you get taken up with the obvious hype that the director obviously strives to put in the film. I liked it.

Good Korean War Film
Joseph H. Lewis effectively directed this war film about the United States Marine Corps' withdrawal from the Changjin Reservoir. The Chinese entered the conflict on the side of the North Koreans in massive hoards but the Marines' walk-don't-run attitude cost the Chinese more than they bargained for. One time second-unit director Joseph H. Lewis' status as auteur is in evidence here. Frank Lovejoy, Richard Carlson, Russ Tamblyn and Lamont Johnson give grim performances.

A compelling account of the Marines at Chosin
Unfortunately too few movies were made of the Korean War. The battle at the Chosin Reservoir was one of the finest hours in the history of the Marine Corps as they fought and escaped entrapment by a vastly superior Chinese force. While this movie doesnt deplict the incredible hardships significantly it does give a general accurate picture of what took place there. Frank Lovejoy is believable as is the rest of the cast although some of the characters are portrayed rather lightly given the historic reality. You will probably find yourself singing the Marine hymn at the end if you get taken up with the obvious hype that the director obviously strives to put in the film. I liked it.

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