| Credited cast: | |||
| Frank Lovejoy | ... |
Lt. Col. Steve L. Corbett
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| Richard Carlson | ... |
Capt. Paul Hansen
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| Anita Louise | ... |
Ruth Hansen
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| Russ Tamblyn | ... |
Jimmy W. McDermid
(as Rusty Tamblyn)
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Nedrick Young | ... |
Sgt. Novak
(as Ned Young)
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Lamont Johnson | ... |
Capt. 'Tink' O'Grady
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Robert Ellis | ... |
Shorty Devine
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Paul Smith | ... |
Andy Smith
|
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Peter Ortiz | ... |
Maj. Knox
|
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Dorothy Patrick | ... |
Eve O'Grady
|
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Morton C. Thompson | ... |
Capt. Kyser
|
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Joseph Keane | ... |
Lt. Ortiz
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
|
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Rudy Albachten | ... |
Man on supply truck
|
During the Korean War, a U.S. Marine battalion must fight its way out of a frozen mountain pass despite diminishing supplies, freezing temperatures and constant attacks by overwhelming numbers of Chinese soldiers. Written by [email protected]
The Korean War doesn't have the glory that goes with WW2, although there are a few films about that war that have helped shape an image of bitter fighting carried out in even more bitter weather conditions. Retreat, Hell! should be right up there with Pork Chop Hill as the definitive Hollywood depiction of that conflict. It has that deft mix of grim authenticity, of action, and of fine characterizations. It has to be one of Russ Tamblyn's best dramatic parts. A lot of well interspersed and well done action scenes of fighting in barren snow swept hilltops and ravines, with the finale being a furious Chinese charge right into the colonel's tent. In black and white, this film has a pervasive grimness to it, that contrasts with the story of a unit of Marines trying to keep up a sunny and positive spin on a desperate situation. It's a flag-waver, but exceedingly well done.