In Korea, on 6 September 1950, Lieutenant Benson's platoon finds itself isolated in enemy-held territory after a retreat. Soon they are joined by Sergeant Montana, whose overriding concern is caring for his catatonic colonel. Benson and Montana can't stand each other, but together they must get the survivors to Hill 465, where they hope the division is waiting. It's a long, harrowing march, fraught with all the dangers the elusive enemy can summon.
Direction
Mann turns Korean hills into existential nightmare landscapes.
Acting
Ryan and Ray's mutual loathing practically smolders offscreen.
Cinematography
Black-and-white that makes daylight feel claustrophobic.
Director
Anthony Mann
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Shot on the same Korean War locations as M*A*S*H, but Mann refused the satirical distance—this is war as pure, grinding absurdity.
Robert Ryan, a pacifist in real life, played so many military men he called it 'my penance for not serving.' His hollow-eyed exhaustion here is method before method existed.
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