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Retreat, Hell! (1952)

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 ... See full summary »

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(screenplay), (screenplay) | 1 more credit »
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Cast

Credited cast:
...
Lt. Col. Steve L. Corbett
...
Capt. Paul Hansen
...
Ruth Hansen
...
Jimmy W. McDermid (as Rusty Tamblyn)
Nedrick Young ...
Sgt. Novak (as Ned Young)
Lamont Johnson ...
Capt. 'Tink' O'Grady
Robert Ellis ...
Shorty Devine
Paul Smith ...
Andy Smith
Peter Ortiz ...
Maj. Knox
Dorothy Patrick ...
Eve O'Grady
Morton C. Thompson ...
Capt. Kyser
Joseph Keane ...
Lt. Ortiz
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Rudy Albachten ...
Man on supply truck
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Storyline

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]

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Taglines:

Rank vanishes...friendship flares...as these gallant guys fight shoulder-to-shoulder against tremendous odds - outnumbered, but never out-fought! See more »

Genres:

War | Drama

Certificate:

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Parents Guide:

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Details

Country:

Language:

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Release Date:

6 October 1952 (Sweden)  »

Also Known As:

Feuerschutz für Stoßtrupp Berta  »

Company Credits

Production Co:

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Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

(RCA Sound System)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

When asked if they were retreating, Frank Lovejoy's character, Lt. Col Steve Corbett, says, "Retreat, hell! We're not retreating, we're just advancing in a different direction." This was actually said by Maj. Gen. O.P. Smith, who was Commanding General of the 1st Marine Division at the Battle of Chosin Reservoir. See more »

Goofs

When Capatin Hansen's company enters a town soon after coming ashore, they are fired on by a machine gun crew hidden in a building. The Marines immediately take cover, but Hansen gives no orders to his men for almost five minutes. In an actual situation, the officer in charge would immediately have begun issuing orders for his troops to eliminate the enemy position. See more »

Quotes

Lt. Col. Steve L. Corbett: Retreat hell! We're not retreating, we're just advancing in a different direction.
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User Reviews

 
grim Korean War story
14 February 2008 | by (Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico) – See all my reviews

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.


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