Pork Chop Hill (1959)

I've hardly seen any depictions of the Korean War outside of M*A*S*H, which involves little to no onscreen battle. For more of that, I figured on Lewis Milestone to do a good job. And it's based on a soldier's account, so I stood to learn true history.

In 1953, the Chinese People's Volunteer Army seizes the American outpost on the titular hill. Lt. Joseph G. Clemons (Gregory Peck) leads K Company in an effort to recapture it, starting before dawn. But higher-ups have not prepared them well. For example, one border is much better defended than was said, keeping L Company too busy to meet up as soon as expected. It soon becomes apparent that heavy losses will follow.

This is the first war movie I've seen in which enemy propaganda is broadcast not over the radio but out to the battlefield, sometimes accompanied by music. The speaker (Viraj Amonsin) is no Lord Haw-Haw; he dispenses with sarcasm for what sounds like sincerity, giving fair warnings so the GIs have a chance to save themselves. Nobody surrenders, but it may well affect morale. Certainly Pvt. Franklin (Woody Strode) is dragging his heels.

Even at the time, some viewers objected to the fact that the most cowardly soldier was Black. Mind you, he's not blatantly terrified like the once stereotypical Black men in older movies; he just cares more about protecting his own skin than following orders. He even considers shooting Clemons to try to stay out of Leavenworth. I noticed the possible racism independently, but at least there are other Black soldiers behaving well. Indeed, I hadn't expected that much diversity in a '50s screen unit. There are even apparent Asian Americans among them.

I recognize a few other actor names: George Peppard, Martin Landau, Gavin MacLeod, an uncredited Harry Dean Stanton. Most notable is Rip Torn as Lt. Walter Russell, Clemons' brother-in-law leading G Company. Unsurprisingly, Peck has the most screen presence, tho he doesn't exactly steal the show.

Peck always opposed the Korean War, which may be one reason he tapped the director of All Quiet on the Western Front. PCH doesn't carry a full-fledged antiwar message, but it's clear that inadequate intel isn't the only cause to complain about the operation. The hill isn't even all that strategically important, which stymies the ceasefire negotiations at Panmunjom. Apparently, both sides are fighting over it on some vague principle of proving themselves.

The main thing I like about PCH is the intensity. The action is almost constant after the first scene, seemingly happening in real time. I knew going in that the GIs wouldn't be completely routed, but they come darn closer than usual for cinema.

The next AQotWF it isn't, but I'm inclined to put it a little ahead of A Walk in the Sun. See it if you want a battle with high casualties but no graphic gore.