Movie Review: Pork Chop Hill (1959)
Synopsis: In April of 1953, peace talks to end the Korean War are at a standstill when a piece of high ground nicknamed Porkchop Hill becomes an unexpected bargaining chip for whichever side holds it. When the hill is seized by the Chinese, Lt. Joe Clemons is instructed to lead three platoons to reclaim it. He does as he is ordered, sustaining a large number of casualties in the process. However, he soon learns the U. S. Army High Command, believing the hill isn't worth the cost of any more life, isn't going to send him reinforcements, forcing him and a small number of exhausted men to hold off an impending Chinese counterattack on their own.
Who's in it? The movie stars Gregory Peck, Woody Strode, George Peppard, Rip Torn and George Shibata.
Review: I remember watching Pork Chop Hill when I was too young to really understand what it was about and when I recently came across the movie again, I decided to add it to my library. I ended up watching it this morning and concluded the film is as good as advertised.
War movies usually fall into two categories, either they focus on the action, or they put more emphasis on the politics. There are a few, however, that manage to cover both relatively equally and I would put this film in that category.
At first, the plot of the film seems very basic - See that hill? Capture it and hold it. And there are plenty of explosions and gunfire to keep it interesting along with a lot of tough guys, especially Clemons (Peck) leading the way while (figuratively) waving that American flag while eating a slice of apple pie. As the move progresses, however, it is clear it is a whole lot more than that.
I think the part of this that impressed me most was the admission the piece of land they were fighting over had no strategic value and was more about keeping up appearances and a position of strength as peace was negotiated. It was one of those things that, as a viewer, made me completely OK with the idea of Clemons defying orders and leading his men to safety rather than standing his ground and facing certain death. I even found it hard to feel anything but empathy for the would-be deserter, Franklin (Strode), who just didn't want to die for a cause he didn't believe in.
The end result was a movie that had a surprisingly wide range of emotions, whether it was suspense as Clemons and only two dozen survivors watched an army approaching them or despair when Clemons learned the reinforcements he just received were being withdrawn even as his exhausted men were being ordered to remain. It also left the ending up in the air since there was no way his men were going to survive without help and that help didn't seem to be coming. If there's anything that will keep me interested in a movie, it is the lack of a predictable ending.
Final Opinion: I've seen a lot of classic war movies. This one is easily now in my top five. If you haven't watched it, I recommend taking the time to do so.
My Grade: A
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Here are some reviews of other movies from 1959:
Movie Review: Ghost of Dragstrip Hollow (1959)
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