Pork Chop Hill (1959)

Good, Solid Close to the Ground Tale of Men in Combat

"Pork Chop Hill" is set late in the Korean War as the negotiations drone at the "Peace Talks". An infantry company is given the mission to recapture a "strategically meaningless" hill. It's not meaningless if the Army sends you there! PCH is based on a book by BG S.L.A. Marshall, a prominent military historian. Right from the outset, there is a brooding, moody element to the film, especially early on. The b&w photography is just right. Gregory Peck is front as center as company commander, aided by a strong supporting cast, many of whom later became prominent actors. These include Rip Torn, Woody Strode, Martin Landau and George Peppard. George Shibata is excellent as a Japanese-American looey. Peck exudes the same quiet strength he demonstrated in "The Gunfighter" and "Twelve O'Clock High". Does anyone remember the lesser known release, "The Night People"? Vets will quickly identify with a string of Army "snafus". It doesn't matter which war it is! Viewers may be disturbed at the randomness of who survives the meat grinder of combat. PCH is noteworthy for the complete respect it shows for the enlisted man and lack of same for "rear echelon types". (There is an acronym for those guys, but amazon would never permit its use in a review). Some may state that PCH is anti-military. This reviewer doesn't believe that but Mike Mayo's "War Movies" quotes Director Lewis Milestone as stating that studio interference altered the original concept of the story. The bottom-line is that PCH is a solid no nonsense story of men in combat with no sentimentality and fluff added. In fact, PCH has no scene that qualifies remotely as filler. Interesting points: No major character is over the rank of 1Lt, no medals or commendations are awarded and despite the close combat, no medics or doctors appear. This reviewer believes that PCH and the grim "Bridges at Toko-Ri" are the principal must see Korean War movies.
July 5, 2008

On the mark with the Korean War

For the dedicated amateur war historian, this film on the Korean War is on the mark, perhaps more than any similar movie on that "police action." It is based on actual events in the last few days of the war, and advised by the actual Lt. Joe Clemons, who is portrayed very ably by Gregory Peck. For viewers who are looking for clever, subtle political statements on war in general, this is not necessarily your film.

Yes indeed, one clear message sent via the film is that the Korean War set a precedent, in that modern wars are inextricably "political." In the continuing vignettes of the "peace table" at Panmunjom, the film shows the political implications in a low-key manner, which was very effective, without overly dwelling on it. The negotiations process itself had a more negative effect on the fighting and the morale of the troops than did the Chinese Communist troops themselves.

This is one of those war films that is best presented in black and white, because the technique reinforces the dark, sombre mood and political purposes of the Battle of Pork Chop Hill. The situation in very reminiscent of the Battle of Hamburger Hill in Vietnam, during which dedicated American troops are killed by the scores in taking a hill that has little, if any, strategic value, but has considerable political significance. This is one of the precedents set by the Battle of Pork chop Hill.

Some viewers have stated that the film also is intended to portray the rear echelons of command as graphically inept, and frankly stupid. This is absolutely not the case with Pork Chop Hill. What it does show is how the hands of field commanders can be tied, if not hamstrung, in modern wars by politicians, another of the Korean War precedents that carried through the Vietnam War.

What I really appreciate about the film is the focus on the front line soldiers, the absence of really graphic "blood and guts" and profanity, which films that are truly well made do not require, and the reality of the combat situation. This is "...how it really was," and that is a fact that should encourage avid war film collectors who yearn for historical accuracy and the lack of overkill to snap this one up, and right now!

I have reviewed scores of war films, and this is one of few that truly deserve a five-star rating, and perhaps six, if it were available. June 12, 2008

Pork Chop Hill

Although somewhat dated for the tastes of today's students, the film and Gregory Peck are a believable backdrop for discussions about the war. October 1, 2007

One of the Best

If you are looking for a movie that demonstrates the mettle of American soldiers and leaders trapped in a desparate struggle against the odds, then this movie delivers.

While Saving Private Ryan has become something of a standard for reviewers of the war genre, Pork Chop Hill was one of its hard hitting predecessors. It did not need to show the blood and gore to get the point across... the brutality is apparent.

Gregory Peck also puts in what I think to be one of his best performances as the tough and dedicated lieutenant given a mission that wartime leaders hope they never get. "Fight what could be the last battle of a war", and all the while fighting your own chain of command to get the resources necessary to win. You get a taste of the politics behind the final days of the war... though for those who have served in Korea since the "Armistice", we all know the war never really ended.

To boot, you get numerous appearances by "soon to be" big names in hollywood. If you see someone that looks familiar despite the grime and grit on their faces, chances are, you are correct. Keep your eyes open.

Finally, the battle scenes are incredible and raise your blood pressure. You will experience "emotional" highs and lows as the battle for Pork Chop Hill wages on to the "end". Hills changes hands quite often during the final months of the Korean War, as our valient veterans could attest, but their courage was well preserved in this often overlooked movie.

Do not pass on this one. May 9, 2007

Pork Chop Hill

great war picture and intense action scenes. Good role for Gregory Peck. November 12, 2006

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