MARIO GAUCI

(2013-05-21 10:00:48)

WAR HUNT (Denis Sanders, 1962) **1/2

John Saxon has a memorable role as a black-faced, gun-crazy soldier whovolunteers for solitary nightly ambushes on the enemy until he finallycracks up completely and wants to be left behind in Korea. The filmalso marked the screen debuts of Robert Redford (as the clean-cutrookie hero who stands up to Saxon’s fearsome grip on his unit), SydneyPollack (a rare early acting stint for him as a sympathetic sergeant)and Tom Skerritt (as a cheerful sergeant); of course, the latter wouldlater appear in the ultimate Korean War movie, Robert Altman’s M.A.S.H.(1970). Other cast members include Tommy Matsuda (as an orphaned Koreanboy taken under Saxon’s wing and unwisely befriended by Redford),Charles Aidman (as the Captain who often covers for Saxon’sinsubordination given the importance of the information he gathers fromhis nightly rounds) and Gavin MacLeod (who advises Redford to steerclear of the highly-strung Saxon).Being set during the final days of the Korean War, the film featuresthe deceptive and ironic musical interludes played on loudspeakers bythe teasing enemy prior to the inevitable combat; despite its obviouslymodest budget and low-key nature, it is effectively shot in gritty,black-and-white by veteran cinematographer Ted McCord and nicely scoredby Bud Shank. On the other hand, co-producer Terry Sanders was anaward-winning documentarian who seemingly brought to the film anunusually sensitive and anti-militaristic outlook, while his brotherDenis was an occasional feature film director – including thesci-fi/exploitation flick INVASION OF THE BEE GIRLS (1973) – who hadpreviously co-written the screenplay for Raoul Walsh’s WWII epic THENAKED AND THE DEAD (1958). Trivia note: reportedly, Francis FordCoppola appears uncredited as a truck driver; also, the film’sassociate producer (Noel Black) later became an erratic directorhimself – most notably of PRETTY POISON (1968).

(2013-05-21 06:26:08)

This is for the DVD version only.

**THIS IS FOR THE DVD VERSION ONLY**To real fans, a dissapointment. To other fans not so good. There are no extras on this DVD, in other words, a barebones DVD. This DVD DOES have the original Theatrical Trailer, and English, Spanish, and French subtitles. This DVD only comes in widescreen.

(2013-03-26 12:08:13)

Men At War

This review is from: War Hunt (DVD) "War Hunt" holds up remarkably well. While the release date is listed as 1962, the copyright is 1961, which makes this a 50th anniversary of Redford's first film. The gritty story shot in Topanga Canyon in the Los Angeles area stars John Saxon as Private Raymond Endore, a psychotic soldier transfixed on killing who is allowed personal scouting raids into enemy territory. The film is also significant because it begins a great friendship and working collaboration between Robert Redford and Sydney Pollack who plays Sgt. Owen Van Horn that produced other works like This Property Is Condemned and Three Days of the Condor as well as the classic "The Way We Were." In his book Robert Redford: The Biography, Michael Feeney Callan tells us that Redford made $500 for his three weeks on the film. United Artists' entire budget for the film was $250,000. The New York Times called the film, "One of the most honest and haunting war movies in years." Tom Skerritt has a strong supporting performance as Sgt. Stan Showalter; and Gavin McLeod who later achieved fame on TV's "The Love Boat" played Pvt. Crott. Francis Ford Coppola plays an Army truck driver and was a gofer on the film. Redford's performance is impressive, subtle, gritty and focused. This little black & white film certainly bears watching as a piece of film history, but remains affecting as a tight psychological portrait of men at war. Enjoy!

ewarn-1

(2013-03-26 01:13:42)

profound and disturbing possibility

War Hunt explores the possibility that a decorated and successfulcombat soldier can also be a dangerous psychotic killer. The film is set during the last days of the Korean War. Endore (JohnSaxon) conducts voluntarily patrols to Chinese outposts, and is valuedby his commanding officer. The other platoon members appreciate Endorescourage and toughness under fire, and probably love the fact hissolitary patrols keep them safe in their own lines. But Endore has hisown personal motives for his nocturnal sojourns. He gets to killpeople, and he probably enjoys it. As a matter of fact, he most likelyis a serial killer. No doubt he is a social outcast in civilian lifeand would be even in the peacetime army. In any other environment, hedwind up in a prison or mental hospital. Luckily (for him) the Koreanbattlefront is his element.John Saxon plays Endore to frightening perfection. Blank, emotionlessfacial expression. Psychotic stare, just a hint of malevolent violenceseething beneath his limited social skills. In the films scariestscene, Endore knifes a Chinese soldier to death unnecessarily, thendances around the body. A ritualized killing. Endore is one scarystranger. Id stay away from him, so would you. Hes the guy we readabout in the papers, maybe even joke about nervously.This crazy mans nemesis arrives in the form of Roy Loomis, a young andfrightened recruit. He is shocked and disgusted by Endores actions, butis rebuffed by his CO and squadmates. Loomis isn't worth anything. It'sEndore who is valuable, who can kill, who can do the dirty work. Loomisis annoyingly innocent however, and you know there's going to be a bigconfrontation coming up.The confrontation arrives in the form of a cease fire.The Korean War isending, but has Endores war just begun? Check it out and see. Fastmoving, suspenseful, frightening. Best line: Endore(explaining how hecan sneak up on the enemy without being seen) "Because I'minvisible---the truth blinds you."

wes-connors

(2013-02-22 15:56:19)

Robert Redford Fights for Korea

It's May 1953, and fresh-faced US Army recruited Robert Redford (as RoyLoomis) has joined the battle for Korea. Women in the area greet theAmerican private by saying, "Welcome to Korea, I hope you don't die"and "I love you." Mr. Redford soon notices strange behavior from fellowhandsome private John Saxon (as Raymond Endore). A loner, Mr. Saxonnightly paints his face, stealthy makes his way into enemy territory,single-handedly kills an enemy soldier, and performs a ritual Indiandance over the body.Redford finds Saxon's behavior troubling, and tries to separate theincreasingly disturbed man from his only friend, eight-year-old TommyMatsuda (as Charlie). The orphaned Korean lad has formed ahero-worshiping relationship with Saxon, which Redford seeks to sever.There are things to admire about this inexpensively made anti-wardrama, especially Saxon's characterization, but the film makes the oldsymbolic points rather ordinarily and the new ones haphazardly. Somecharacter motivation is noticeably lacking.***** War Hunt (4/6/62) Denis Sanders ~ Robert Redford, John Saxon,Sydney Pollack, Tom Skerritt

(2013-02-22 08:03:12)

John Saxon as bad guy ?

very heavy war story but great in that we get to see a VERY young Robert Redford and the ever handsome John Saxon as the bad guy .. good battle scenes ... but dark brooding and violent !

movingpicturegal

(2013-02-21 11:18:07)

The Unstable Killer and the Rookie

Dark, atmospheric, stylish film telling the story of combat as seenthrough the eyes of a newcomer, baby-faced Robert Redford, at a wartimetrench camp in Korea, 1953. The story basically follows this man'sexperiences dealing with the others in their little platoon barracks -particularly a very odd man (played by John Saxon) who first appears onscreen in a most memorable style - his mud-covered face suddenlyappearing in close-up, completely filling the screen. This man likes togo out alone at night with his face darkened, on his own private "warhunt" as he knifes to death Koreans hiding in trench holes. This man'ssidekick at camp is a young, orphaned Korean boy who seems to worshipthe older man. At one point, we watch Redford's character as he facesgreat fear during his first experience in combat; he also desires tohelp the young boy and faces many confrontations with the "warhunter"/mud man.This is a very unusual film - powerful, gripping and interesting, thestory moved along via voice-over narration by Redford as his characterrelates his experiences. The film features excellent, thoughtfulcamera-work including many facial close-ups, and many dark, night-timescenes that gives a haunting feeling to the action. The backgroundmusic reminded me in style of that often heard during "Twilight Zone"or even "Star Trek" episodes - a sort of 60s sci-fi feeling to it, in away. The film opens and closes with a nicely done, sentimental chorusof Korean children. An excellent film all around.

CineTigers

(2013-02-21 04:18:01)

Great Screenplay, So-So Movie

TCM included War Hunt in their Memorial Day festival (maybe a littleinappropriate for a tribute to our servicemen?). I found the subject,as a screen play, intriguing, but not the delivery. To me, it wouldhave been better to read, hear it as a reading, or see it in communitytheater.The movie resembled an episode of "Combat!", for props and scenery,film quality, and acting. And frankly, the "before they were famous"actors shown here had a reason for their anonymity, they still lackedconfidence and training and delivered what was at best a TV moviequality product, in my opinion.Contrast this to the realistic acting and tight cutting in "Hell is forHeroes". Again, to me a great concept, a good screenplay, but "movie ofthe week" product.

Coventry

(2013-02-16 04:45:32)

Behind Enemy Lines … And loving it!

This ultra low-budgeted and virtually unknown war/drama movie isprobably the most interesting from an "acting" point-of-view. "WarHunt" remarkably – but I suppose coincidentally as well – features thebig screen debuts of no less than three names that are nowadaysconsidered hugely famous and acclaimed. Director Sydney Pollack (whosadly passed away earlier this year) and charismatic star Tom Skerrittboth appear in small yet memorable roles, while Robert Redford (laterstar of classics such as "The Sting" and "All The President's Men")debuts in the fairly complex leading role of idealistic soldier in thecenter of a senseless Korean war zone. And yet, in spite of the moreappealing great names, it's unquestionably the still underrated veteranactor John Saxon who steals the show. Even more so, Saxon owns the filmand he's genuinely petrifying as the introvert soldier who appears touse the Korean War to give rein to his murderous and psychotictendencies. When the young and inexperienced private Loomis arrives atthe front during the last stage of the Korean War, his fellow soldiersimmediately warn him to stay out of the way of Private Endore and hisprotégé Charlie; a local orphan kid. Endore is a brilliant soldier andof immeasurably value to the American army, but that is mainly becausehe single-handedly decreases the number of Korean soldiers bydeliberately sneaking behind enemy lines at night. Private Loomisprotests against this, especially because he wants to protect the youngCharlie from his dangerous colleague. The rudimentary plot of "WarHunt" is actually pretty genius, since it's the first and only film –at least, as far as I know – that openly suggests signing up for thearmy is the ideal method for psychopathic killers to get away withtheir incontrollable urges and even get honored for them! PrivateEndore is anti-social, impolite and without manners but his superiorsnever cease to cover from him because he's such a powerful weaponagainst the enemy. The atmosphere of "War Hunt" is aptly depressing anddark, with some really brilliant musical choices and bleak photography.Presumably due to the absence of financial means, there's a severeshortage of action scenes and hence you'll have to struggle yourselfthrough a handful of seemingly dull and redundant moments. Still, ifit's not necessarily boisterous gunfire and violent battles in thetrenches you're searching for, I would definitely recommend "War Hunt",if it were only for John Saxon's stupendous performance. His menacinglypainted faced, the desolate star in his eyes and his completelyunpredictable and impulsive personality make this one of the greatestperformances I've ever seen in a low-keyed war epic.

Woodyanders

(2013-02-15 21:15:54)

A very good and unjustly overlooked war drama winner

May, 1953. The last days of the Korean war. Naive and idealisticPrivate Roy Loomis (a sound and sympathetic performance by RobertRedford in his film debut) gets sent to the front lines as areplacement in a platoon. Loomis meets crazed and reclusive soldierRaymond Endore (splendidly played with frightening remoteness by JohnSaxon), an aloof loner who sneaks behind enemy lines on a nightlyregular basis and butchers rival soldiers. The officers in command knowabout Endore's activities, but let it slide because he obtains valuableinformation during his nocturnal excursions. Loomis decides to stand upto Endore in order to save orphan boy Charlie (a touching portrayal byTommy Matsuda) from Endore's possibly dangerous influence. DirectorDenis Sanders, working from a tight, literate, and incisive script byStanford Whitmore, presents a compellingly gritty, realistic andunglamorous depiction of the darker aspects of war, specificallyshowing how war allows stone psychos like Endore the readily availableopportunity to engage in brutal exploits that would never be acceptableand permissible in the everyday peaceful civilian world. This filmastutely nails the horror and humanity of warfare: The one big combatsequence is genuinely harrowing while Endore's relationship withCharlie is truly moving. Endore makes for a fascinatingly complexcharacter; the sight of Endore with mud painted on his face is verychilling, his acts of cold-blooded murder are likewise upsetting, yethis concern for Charle's well being is still nonetheless poignant. Finesupporting contributions by Charles Aidman as the tough Captain WallacePratt, Sydney Pollack as the hard-nosed Sergeant Owen Van Horn, GavinMacLeod as the disillusioned Private Crotty, and Tom Skerritt as theeasygoing Sergeant Stan Showalter. Ted D. McCord's stark and strikingcinematography makes artful use of fades and dissolves. Bud Shank'smelodic and melancholy score also does the trick. A real sleeper.

(2013-02-13 10:53:11)

War Hunt

This review is from: War Hunt (DVD) This is a good war movie starring Robert Redford and John Saxon during the Korean War. This movie is in black&white and is widescreen (1.66:1). This movie also stars; Sydney Pollack, Gavin MacLeod, Charles Aidman, Tom Skerritt, Tommy Matsuda, plus others. Overall this is a good war movie to have.

(2013-02-12 20:43:10)

Solid intro for Redford, but Saxon is the real star...

This is an obviously low-budget affair, but don't let that dissuade you from at least screening this film. Set in the waning days of the Korean War, the story revolves around a new replacement (Robert Redford), who joins an infantry unit on the front lines. As he experiences the bitter taste of war, he tries to understand the meaning of it all. Meanwhile, he is concerned over the psychotic lone wolf in the outfit (John Saxon), and his bizzare attachment to a young Korean kid. Saxon's character is a successful killing machine, but unaccustomed to fitting in with people. The main selling point is, of course, the film debut of Robert Redford. Redford is excellent here, even at a relatively young age. Redford has always been good at playing honest, good-guy straight shooters, and his debut as Pvt. Roy Loomis is no exception. However, it really has to be said that, for as good as the young Redford is, it is John Saxon who steals the show as the brooding, psychotic killing machine, Endore. If you don't believe me, just check out the scene when Redford confronts him, and Saxon shows us a murderer using every ounce of control at his command to master his anger and keep from killing. Gavin MacLeod and Tom Skerritt play fellow soldiers in the squad, and the stark black & white photography assists in setting the proper mood for the story.

(2013-02-12 14:10:12)

The Template for all the Anti-American Vietnam War and 9/11 War films to come.....but set in Korea

WAR HUNT(1962) Directed by Denis Sanders. Cinematography by Ted McCord. Starring John Saxon, Charles Aidman, Sydney Pollack, Gavin MacCleod, Tom Skerritt, Francis Ford Coppola and introducing Robert Redford. In the last month of the Korean War(May, 1953), a young recruit joins a platoon at the front lines and quickly notices a solitary soldier who, every night, sneaks out into no man's land where he kills Chinese soldiers with his knife in a strange ritualistic fashion. Though because this soldier brings back valuable information he is tolerated and even encouraged by his superiors, the young recruit is disturbed by the close relationship between the soldier and a young North Korean orphan and tries to wean the later from the former's influence. When the armistice is finally signed and the war ends, things come to a head when the heretofore useful soldier is unable to adjust to peace and runs off with the boy. The commanding officer, his top sergent and the young recruit go off to try and bring them home.......... A generally superb war film in most every respect. Directorially original, the film's visual style-----shot in truly glorious black and white......reminds of a cross between THE FLESH EATERS and a Stanley Kubrick film. The battle scenes--due to the small budget--are perhaps not as effective as they might have been but this is a mere quibble. The acting is generally top notch with even Robert Redford ---though giving the exact same performance he would give in every film but for the first time here-- seeming fresh and exciting. However the ones to watch is Aidman as the group's commander, Pollack as the solid sergent and especially Saxon as the unstable soldier. The later is basically a serial killer but Saxon gives the character a great deal of depth in a highly unconventional performance. Always distant and seemingly in his own world, Saxon plays a character that, in another film.....CASUALTIES OF WAR for example......would be little more than a cartoon.........but here is generally sympathetic and understandable. As this was the Sixties and the so-called Blacklist was winding down, the film's take on the Korean War---while not as shrill as it could have been------anticipates exactly how Hollywood would present the Vietnam War some decades later. However also because of when the film was made, it is not as toxic and thus functions as a fine example of that rare beast......a Korean War movie. Really quite excellent and recommended.

TheVid

(2013-02-12 08:38:05)

A superior low-budget film about psychosis and battle; nicely shot and performed.

This character study remains one of the best intimate views of conflicteverfilmed, and features Robert Redford's first film appearance. There's alsoamajor appearance by actor Sydney Pollack, before he made is mark as amajordirector. It's starkly made, grim, and engaging, without any of thejingoism and/or sentimentality applied to most older and recent Hollywoodproduct. The moody score was provided by jazz composer Bud Shank.Nice.

sol1218

(2013-02-10 14:12:31)

The Point of the Spear

**SPOILERS** With the war in Korea winding down everyone in thisfront-line combat platoon are looking forward to go home alive and inone piece before the final shot is fired. Everyone with the exceptionof Pvt. Raymond Endore, John Saxon.Endore is of the type of material that soldiers are made of. Toughruthless and totally unfeeling, to himself or the enemy, when he's outon patrol knifing and strangling Communist Chinese and North Koreassoldiers on guard duty or in their sleep. Endore is now in danger ofbecoming an endangered species with the war, that he loves so much,about to end and him becoming obsolete.The movie "War Hunt" shows how those who participate in combat, LikePvt. Endore, become so dehumanized by it to the point where they cannever go back to society again. Endore had befriended this Korean,North Korean to be exact, orphan Charlie (Tommy Matsud) who not onlylooks up to him as a father figure but as a God. It's when Pvt. Loomis,Robert Redford, is assigned to Endore's squad that he starts to reallylose it. Loomis wants little Charlie to grow up in an orphanage withlittle boys and girls like himself as friends to play and get alongwith instead of becoming an unfeeling killer like his hero Pvt. Endore.Despite it's shoe string budget "War Hunt" has a number of veryconvincing and terrifying battle scenes in it that you would haveexpected in a first run major Hollywood studio release. There's an nailbiting Communist Chinese human wave night attack on the US, or UN,lines that has Pvt. Loomis freeze in his tracks almost ending up runthrough, with a bayonet, by one of the onrushing Red Chinese troopers.Endore uses Loomis', what he thinks, cowardice under fire to turnCharlie against him. Loomis in his first taste of hand to hand combatdid in fact freeze up but later courageously made it back to hisbattered platoon after killing, in a brutal hand to hand confrontation,a Red Chinese soldier who tried to cut his throat.With the cease fire that was to end the Korean War just hours away Pvt.Endore desperate to keep the war from stopping goes out on his own,taking Charlie along with him, to somehow relight the fuse. Crossinginto no-mans land Endore tries restart the fighting by creating anincident in killing a Communist Chinese or North Korean soldier afterthe cease fire went into effect. It's then when Pvt. Endore buddies,who liked him so much when the war was going on, turned against him.Obscure little war drama despite it's, in years to come, well knowncast of Robert Redford Tom Skerritt and of course John Saxon "War Hunt"ranks right up there as one of the best, as well as least known,anti-war films ever to come out of Hollywood. The movie doesn't at allglorify war it in fact shows how it can turn normal men intoblood-thirsty and mindless killers. Pvt. Endore got to like war, andthe killing that goes along with it, so much that he even tried to getlittle Charlie addicted to it.In the end getting shot and killed, by his own men, may have well beenthe best thing that happened to Pvt. Endore. I can just imagine what hewould have done when he came back to the states. With the only thing,and pleasure, to look forward to being him going out at night and killlike he did in the many "war hunts" that he participated in back inKorea Endore more then likely would have resumed his murderousobsession. This time not against enemy soldiers but innocent, andunsuspecting, civilian non-combatants.

(2013-02-09 23:27:11)

Hunting the impact of war

War Hunt is an absorbing comparison of the effects of war on two individuals. One responded to the emotional impact of killing by embracing it. He becomes an isolated, cold and silent killing machine who creeps up at night and kills with a knife, then dances around the bodies. His only emotinal connection is with a young house boy. His influene on that child is chilling.The second is embodied in the introdcution of Robert Redford to the screen. The war seen through his eyes is tragic and wasteful. His bravery in confronting the evil influence of the first soldier represents a nobility in a man that is in sharp contrast to the dehumanizing effects of the war.Some would argue that the film effects, representing the state of the art in 1961 give a dated feel that is distracting. However this lends a grittiness and documentary feel that enhances the message.The popcorn will be forgotton. Save if for a second feature of a much lighter or comic vein, as this heavy film is better digested in pieces over time than brooded over as the only thought late in the evening.

(2013-02-09 07:27:02)

Haunting film of the last weeks of the Korean War

This review is from: War Hunt (DVD) ...As stated elsewhere, Saxon is the real star of this film... Redford does a good job with his character... well meaning, but absolutely unable to make changes, let alone conjure up any heroic actions... Witnessing and surviving are the best that he can do... We are meant to see this story unfold through the eyes of a decent, "All American boy..." drafted and sent to the sharp end... ...Definitely low budget: The Army would not touch this production with a ten foot pole... But the film has a story to tell and does it well. It is unfortunate that Gavin McCleod is a distraction... but he was absolutely unknown when this film was made and his presence was not jarring... On the other hand, the character of the visiting battalion commander is *vastly* too old... ...Real talent used on this film... Even Francis Ford Coppola (uncredited) who was said to be one of the camera men... who also doubled as an extra driving one of the Army trucks... ...As someone who has led and commanded infantry in two wars I can understand the *temptation* of the company commander (though I do not agree with his decision) to play with fire... to use Saxon's character, in spite of the clear dangers... Aside from the natural tendency not to want to get your men killed in extremely dangerous night patrols (and most of them unwilling draftees likely, if they survive... to bring back little information.) Saxon's character is an extremely dangerous weapon... that needs always to be pointed in the right direction... ...I have heard complaints that Saxon's character would never have made it through basic training... let alone having been deployed. True enough, except that sometimes people just "get along" during training and keep a low profile. Once "unzipped" on the steep Korean ridgelines... his real inclinations would spill out... and would grow... to where you could never "get them back into the bag" again... ...The ending of this film is deeply haunting.Y.P.

ironside

(2013-02-08 15:30:35)

Ingenious, deeply stimulating, and cautiously photographed...

The 'psychotic' hero is an essay captured in two fine War films: DonaldSiegal's "Hell Is For Heroes"— the story of a sergeant who for beingpsychotic embarked on suicidal heroic missions, and our distinguishedfilm "War Hunt."The picture is clearly stated and openly defined... Pvt. Raymond Endore(John Saxon) goes out at night on 'solitary' patrols... The informationhe brings back is very useful for Capt. Wallace Pratt (Charles Aidman)whose posture toward Endore is 'paternal' gratification...But the strong reason to his voluntary patrol is to murder... He is aritual killer practicing a formal act with his knife, and afterfinishing with his victim, he stands behind the body in mysticalmeditation...Even after the cease-fire on the Korean front, Endore extends his nightpatrols... This 'psycho' mind is already sick, and there is nothing tobe done to narrow his actions...With just one major battle scene, "War Hunt" is absolutely apenetrating study of War drama, focusing on its traumatic effects: The'fighting' soldier and the 'non-fighting' man..."War Hunt" is ingenious, deeply stimulating, and cautiouslyphotographed... The extraordinary hand-to-hand fight, between Redfordand the Chinese soldier, proves it...John Saxon is terrific as the tormentor and Robert Redford (in hisfilm's debut) is excellent as the idealistic Pvt. Roy Loomis...

SgtSlaughter

(2013-02-02 10:28:20)

Poignant and Moving Despite Budgetary Limitations

Director Denis Sanders isn't a very well-known or acknowledgedfilmmaker. After seeing "War Hunt", I looked up his filmography, hopingto credit him to another, more mainstream film – one does not exist.Fortunately, a man does not have to be well known or have a huge fanbase to be a good director. "War Hunt" is one of the best low-budgetsleepers in the video store, now available on DVD from MGM.Running less than 90 minutes, "War Hunt" tells a powerful story aboutthe toll of warfare on those who fight it. Idealism, patriotism andnotions of heroism are forgotten in the midst of battle. Instead ofmaking men into saints, war usually turns them into demons. Pvt. Loomis(an impossibly young Robert Redford) arrives in Korea during the lastfew weeks of the war. He meets Raymond Endore (John Saxon, "TheCavern"), an unhinged draftee who thrives on night patrols, duringwhich he kills North Korean soldiers in their sleep. Endore has takenCharlie (Tommy Matsuda), a Korean orphan, into his care and Loomis alsobefriends the boy, hoping to wrest him away from Endore's dangerousinfluence.Much like "Hell is for Heroes" which premiered the same year, "WarHunt" was shot on a shoestring budget in the Midwestern United States.From start to finish, it's obvious that the military did not back theproduction. After all, this is a very anti-military movie. There areonly a few extras on-hand and we only see a few trucks. The lack offinancing really shows through in the climactic scene in which hordesof Chinese troops attack the entrenched Americans; most of theexplosions and reactions to them look utterly false and stagy.Thankfully, this is not a picture about action and the glory of war –it's about the aftermath of such scenes. The fighting serves to pushthe conflict forward in the quiet moments of rest and recuperation whenthe bullets are done flying. In fact, in the film's third act, setduring the cease-fire with the Chinese, the most devastating violenceoccurs. Endore sets off with Charlie to live in the mountains after thewar's end, refusing to admit that he is part of the Army and mustreturn home. The final conclusion between Endore and Captain Pratt(Charles Aidman) is quick, gritty and comes to an unexpected, powerfulconclusion.Sanders' ensemble cast is superb in every way. Redford, in his filmdebut, is actually quite memorable as Loomis. The first time we meetLoomis, we already know what to expect: we've seen this type ofclean-cut, fair-haired boy before. He'll go on to undergo a baptism offire and become the hero of the piece. Not so, here. Loomis arrives inKorea with ideals and patriotism; much like Charlie Sheen's ChrisTaylor in "Platoon", he comes to realize that there are only two kindsof men in warfare: those who crack under its pressures, like Endore,and those who just want to survive, like his new found friends Crotty(Gavin MacLeod) and Showalter (Tom Skerritt). His scenes betweenCharlie are tender, poignant and moving. His encounters with Endore arechilling and unconventionally solved. As Endore, John Saxon brings anew meaning to the word psychopath. We've never met a wacko like himbefore. His mannerisms, dialog, expressions, are all played with utterrandomness. It's as if he was handed the role and told "do what youwant with it". There are times when Endore is almost completely human,but something in his eyes tells us that perhaps there is somethingslightly wrong with this guy. As the nature of his character isgradually revealed, we can't help but become shocked, almostfrightened."War Hunt" is a cliché-free, freshly original and involving drama. Itmakes a strong statement about war's general destructive nature. Thisis a movie about survival and flawed idealism, not heroism and courage.Kudos to the director for choosing to pick such a controversialsubject. The film is almost prophetic in that it approaches the KoreanWar with an attitude that would come across with force and power inVietnam films 25 years later, like "Hamburger Hill" and "Platoon".

(2013-02-02 02:27:33)

Tasteful little war movie

Occasionally harrowing, low-budget Korean War drama receives a bare-bones treatment on DVD, with no extras and no anamorphic enhancement. In many ways the prototype for Vietnam movies of the 1970 and '80s, _War Hunt_ serves up a pretentious, heavy-handed allegory of American intervention: A psychotic American soldier (John Saxon) takes an orphaned Korean boy under his wing, and becomes completely unhinged when informed at war's end that the boy and he must go their separate ways. Young Robert Redford, fatuous as ever, makes his film debut as a soldier with the prettiest blow-dry hair in military history.Fragile, subtly anti-American, and oh-so-tasteful, _War Hunt_ hardly qualifies as a masterpiece. Still, Ted McCord's black-and-white cinematography is excellent (you'd never guess the film was actually shot in California), and the musical score is spare and restrained. The film is not without interest, and it has cast a surprisingly long shadow over the years.