24 May 2012

Teenager War Hero

This review is from: To Hell and Back (DVD) I saw this movie on the Silver Screen when I was a kid. A lot of us joined up for the Vietnam war so we could be like Audie Murphy. This movie didn't have the cast of Thousands and all the Computer generated action of Saving Private Ryan or Band of Brothers. What it did have was the REAL DEAL. You get to see the real Audie Murphy,,,Also,,I enjoyed the soldiers at Ft Lewis marching in the big formations. I thought they looked Pretty Sharp.

24 May 2012

Hero

Good movie, see what the real Audie Murphy is like as well, visit his web site.

carly7-1

24 May 2012

Dated, but still very good

Few know that this film was the studio's biggest "blockbuster" until"Jaws" was released 20 years later. The film does chronicle some of theexploits of Audie Murphy, who having grown up dirt poor in Texas, wenton to become the most highly decorated soldier of WWII. The film issomewhat dated and was definitely cleaned up to appeal to a largeraudience, but nonetheless, it gives a pretty accurate version of thisman's damn near suicidal bravery. Because Murphy was rejected by theMarine Corps, and was a fairly small man in stature, an under currentof the underdog story develops as the young Murphy attempts to do justabout anything in order to improve himself. This was not Murphy's firstfilm, so perhaps this explains his above average performance andseeming comfort on camera. He is supported by a crew of veteranperformers, (Marshall Thompson, Jack Kelly) who do there best to letMurphy be the center of attention. It's a terrific story, enhanced onlya little by the fact it's true, and if you're able to imagine a remakeof this film, I don't see how it couldn't be successful.

24 May 2012

Excellent factual account of a true hero!

While some of the acting in the film was quite ordinary, this fact-based film biography of Audie Murphy, the most highly-decorated soldier in US history, and portrayed by himself, is essential to the serious war film collector. Murphy insisted that the scenarios presented in the film were factual, while some were, of course, dramatically enhanced for Hollywood consumption. It is a fast-moving story and definitely enjoyable.

23 May 2012

To Hell and Back - Audie Murphy

A very good portrayal of Audie Murphy's life before and during WWII. I have watched this movie many, many times and never tire of it. It's especially refreshing that the character that the movie is about is portrayed by the actual character of events and that must have been a very emotional undertaking by Audie Murphy. I am most happy to now own my own copy of the movie on DVD and if comes out in Blu-ray I will own that too.Peter R. Crowe "WWII buff"

22 May 2012

AS REAL AS IT GETS!!!!

In my opinion this is one of the best war movies of all time.You really feel like you are there in the heart of the battle.and the burning tank scene is the best of all.A must see. jim smith

21 May 2012

Seriously dated as a war movie, viewable mainly from a historical perspective

OK, Audie Murphy fans, don't bash this review. Audie Murphy was a great man, and a true American hero. However, this much has to be said, all of the five star reviews of this movie here reflect a continuing admiration for the man, and not for the movie itself.As a child, I had often heard about Audie Murphy, about his status as "the most decorated soldier in America", and his later career as a B-movie star in Hollywood westerns. Whenever Audie Murphy was mentioned, "To Hell and Back", both the book and the movie, were usually also mentioned. And so for all these years, I knew that this movie existed, but had never seen it. One day, I finally read the book, and then checked out the movie at the local library. And then I read some of Audie Murphy's biographies.What to say about this movie except that it was almost certainly the high point in the life of Audie Murphy. Murphy was the sixth of twelve children of desperately poor Texas sharecroppers. The father would abandon the family and the mother would die when Audie was sixteen. World War II intervened, and Murphy's natural wholesomeness and survivalist skills as a hunter-warrior would provide him a route to become a national hero and a life as a movie star. "To Hell and Back" was Murphy's most successful movie. It was made in 1955, at a time when Americans wanted only to forget the dreadfully inconclusive Korean War, preferring to relive the simpler glories of WWII. As a war movie, it has all the typical characteristics of that era - an unquestioning respect for the military (and all authority in general), and an unspoken acceptance of the concept (totally foreign to us today) that soldiers' lives are by nature expendable in a war. Like other war movies of the 1950's, we never see any blood, nor are there guts spraying everywhere, and definitely no mortally wounded soldiers screaming in fear and agony. Enemy soldiers who are killed fall quickly, silently and bloodlessly to the ground, like dummies. American soldiers who are killed also fall silently and bloodlessly to the ground, but get more screen time - we get to see their faces contort in agony as they die from their phantom wounds. Realism having long ago been lost, the heavy equipment of war - the tanks and other weapons - are also not quite right. The burning M10 tank destroyer that Audie Murphy jumped on becomes a more readily procurable Sherman tank. German tanks are substituted by the then prevalent M41 Walker Bulldogs. No, this is not "Saving Private Ryan". Nor "Platoon". Nor "Apocalypse Now". This is not even "The Longest Day". War movies are never meant to be documentaries, and thus are always limited in their depiction of real war by the social constraints of the times, and the Hollywood need to put a spin on a story that will bring in the customers. What I find most sad about "To Hell and Back", having read Audie Murphy's biographies now, is that his real story was much better: Murphy's bravery, fighting skills, and exploits were even more astounding than what was depicted in this most sanitized and unrealistic of war movies. Achieving all of that in the context of the poverty that he grew up in was even more amazing. Much of this was because the ever modest Audie Murphy refused to allow his life and his exploits to be glamorized. Yes, Audie Murphy's story needs to be remade. But such a story would find no currency in today's Hollywood - imagine that, a movie about a young white man, pulling himself out of poverty by becoming a soldier for his country, fighting for over two years continuously, and excelling at the art of war. And then returning home as a hero, and finding even more success in life as a movie star, thanks to the help of many fellow Americans (James Cagney among them). "To Hell and Back" was indeed the product of a different time.

20 May 2012

For my hubby

Got this for my hubby. He loves this movie. He has seen it a few times but wanted it so he could watch it whenever he wanted too. I don't like war movies but he tells me it is excellent. It is a true story of Audie Murphy.

19 May 2012

To Hell and back

This review is from: To Hell & Back [VHS] (VHS Tape) The product did not give the type format, it is widescreen and I wanted full screen. I am very disappointed that I did not get what I wanted!

19 May 2012

Once upon a time Hollywood supported the Troops and America heralded her heroes....

TO HELL AND BACK (1955) Directed by Jesse Hibbs. Based on the book by Audie Murphy. Technical advice by Audie Murphy. Score by Henry Mancini, William Lava and Irving Gertz. Make up by Bud Westmore. A Universal-International Picture! Starring Audie Murphy (as Audie Murphy), David Janssen, Charles Drake, Marshall Thompson, Paul Picerni. Jack Kelly, Denver Pyle, Brett Halsey, Henry Kulky, John McIntire, and General Walter Bedell Smith in the role of General Walter Bedell Smith. The biography of America's most decorated soldier from 1937 when he was a poverty stricken twelve year old struggling to support his family to his entry into the Army......after being rejected by the Marines and the Navy......during the Second World War. As per Murphy's own military career and as in his book--(which is highly recommended reading incidentally), the film gives a fine overview of the campaigns in Sicily, the Italian boot and the invasion of Southern France. The battle scenes are extremely well done and accurate. There are several sequences involving tank actions and an extended battle involving an abandoned house near Anzio that are first rate and extremely exciting. This film was made before SAVING PRIVATE RYAN and CGI ruined the modern historical film. Here the viewer will be surprised by coherent easy to comprehend battle sequences where one can see what is going on, it is not always blue gray. the sun shines occaisionaly, characters smoke and are not immediately killed or identified as evil for doing so, a character can be an Indian, be called "Chief" by his buddies and we do not get a speech about the plight of the Red Man, characters actually speak to one another and say things rather than just spit out endless mindless obscenities and blood and guts are not squishing over the camera lens. It WILL take the modern viewer some time to get used to all of this but once he does...if he can....he will discover a truly enlightening, ennobling and entertaining film about the American soldier who fought in Europe during WW2 and a true story played by the man who was there and did what is shown. What is more. the film can safely be shown to young people curious about American history without parents living in fear about yet another Hollywood ambush. Obviously Murphy is very good playing himself and this is probably the most accurate dramatization of what an American war hero did........it would have to be! However where the film really shines and thus adds import to the heroics is the fine cast of 50s support players who make up Murphy's squad......all based on real men......many of whom did not make it back. It is a sad comment on many film fans today who would recognize almost the entire cast as having starred in, at least, one Fifties Sci Fic/Horror film---the picture is a dream cast that way......yet these small minds would never dream of watching this film because it is patriotic, supports the troops and about war and war....unless it involves phasers is...like....icky. Yet it is these solid actors(Marshall and Drake really stand out though all are good) of the type we do not have anymore who admirably succeed in bringing such men of the Greatest Generation to memorable life and the film takes great pains to say..that yes...perhaps they did not win as many medals as Murphy but they did their bit and it was through their sacrifice and courage that Murphy was able to do what he did and that the United States was able to win the war. This picture is a tribute to the average American soldier and a perfect film to watch on Memorial Day.

jwheritt

18 May 2012

A great depiction of an American Hero

Being in the U.S. Army, I tend to favor military movies. This movie showswhat our Veterans went through, and it lets people know what kind of heroswe have in the military. Audie Murphy, being the most decorated man inWWII, is a military idol. I truly enjoyed watching Audie Murphy as himselfin this movie.

18 May 2012

Very good movie

This review is from: To Hell and Back (DVD) To Hell and Back is an excellent movie about Audie Murphy's life. He is truly one of America's Heroes as shown by his actions on the battlefield. Audie is not only a good soldier but as it turns out he is a good actor as well. He holds his own with the other professional actors in the movie. The action scenes are good but could be more if you're into action. All in all it's a good choice to learn about the men who fought the second world war.

helpless_dancer

17 May 2012

Good story of one mans journey thru WW2

This was Audie Murphy's account of his actions during WW2. He saw many ofhis friends' die as he went through the travails of war. This was a graphiclook at the horror and waste of man's ultimate folly.

The_Amazing_Spy_Rises

16 May 2012

beyond its time

Audie Murphy is one of the nation's most beloved souls, not only as anactor, but his exploits on the battlefront during WWII, becoming themost decorated soldier in history, and rising far in the military atthe tender age of 19 made him an inspiration for us all. To Hell andBack is his story.A true story based on Murphy's autobiography, THaB is beyond its timein that the visuals are absolutely stunning for a movie made in 1955.When watching it for the first time, I thought it was made in the late1960's or early 1970's. Audie Murphy provides a realistic and movingperformance as himself. The film is not only about Murphy's exploits inthe war, but the people he met and became great friends with. It alsoshows the sorrow and tragedy of war very well, throwing in someromantic moments here and there, which is nice relief from all theaction. What you'll realize about Murphy's performance is how real itis, because it's a rare moment in movies when someone plays themselvesin an actual moment that changed their lives.Go watch this great war movie. It's a classic that all war films shoulddefinitely take reference from. You'll have a good time with it,guaranteed.8/10 --spy

16 May 2012

DVD--To Hell and Back

This review is from: To Hell and Back (DVD) Excellent. Saw this in the 50's. I viewed it and sent it to Iraq. Sent it to the LT that has Audie Murphy's platoon(no joke). He has his great soldiers will get a kick out of it. Quick shipping also. --Jack

15 May 2012

Made a great gift

This review is from: To Hell and Back (DVD) I purchased this movie along with a few others for my Dad. He loves old movies. I was very pleased with my purchases, the price was right and the quality was very good. Dad was quite happy!

12 May 2012

Audie Murphy, Americas soldier.

This is a war movie that develops at platoon and squad level. We get to know all the members. We follow Murphy, playing Murphy all the way thru Italy, France and Germany. I loved the realism and interaction between him and his men. My favorite war movies are the ones, like this, that follow one small squad of men through the whole film. None of the 'Big Picture' stuff here. I appreciated the introduction by a real army General, too. I would have liked to have a leader like Sgt Murphy.

11 May 2012

To hell and back

The movie was good. I had seen it before a long time back.I ordered it before christmas but it took 3 weeks to get here. The other movie I ordered was here in 3 days. I guess the snow in the midwest got it.

10 May 2012

Great movie

This review is from: To Hell and Back (DVD) I love this movie as I have seen it many times. Audie Murphy did a great job in playing himself, although it must have been really hard to relive.A movie that I would highly recommend.

10 May 2012

A Classic War Movie

This review is from: To Hell and Back (DVD) As SGT York is the classic hero of WWI, Audie Murphey is the classic hero of WWII. You get the bonus of seeing him play himself in a war movie that is funny, basically non-violent in a 1950's way, and yet still captures the story of the most decorated man from WWII.