Too Late the Hero
by Robert Aldrich
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Actor: Cliff Robertson, Harry Andrews, Ian Bannen, Michael Caine, Ronald FraserDirector: Robert Aldrich
Brand: Too
Cinematographer: Joseph F. Biroc
Producer: Robert Aldrich
Writer: Robert Aldrich
Editor: Michael Luciano
Producer: Walter Blake
Writer: Lukas Heller
Writer: Robert Sherman
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono; English (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); French (Subtitled); English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono
Format: Anamorphic, Color, DVD, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.78:1
Running Time: 145 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2004-05-25
Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
DVD Reviews of Too Late the Hero
DVD Review: They could save thousands...or themselves.
Summary: 4 Stars
There's been any number of films made over the years about various conflicts, real and fictional, that take place during the terrible conflict known as World War II, many set in the European theatre, but we must also remember a great many battles also took place in the South Pacific, as the Allies faced an equally difficult and dangerous enemy in that of the Japanese forces. In Too Late the Hero (1970), Robert Aldrich presents a strong and realistic tale of a small band of soldiers tasked to do the impossible on a relatively remote and insignificant island, in an effort to prevent the deaths of possibly thousands of allied soldiers. Directed by Robert Aldrich (The Flight of the Phoenix, The Dirty Dozen, The Longest Yard), the film stars Oscar winners Michael Caine (Get Carter, Sleuth) and Cliff Robertson (Charly, Brainstorm). Also appearing is Ian Bannen and Ronald Fraser (both appeared in Aldrich's earlier film Flight of the Phoenix), Harry Andrews (Theatre of Blood, Equus), Denholm Elliott (The House That Dripped Blood, Raiders of the Lost Ark), Ken Takakura (Black Rain) along with a special guest appearance by Henry Fonda (12 Angry Men, Spencer's Mountain).
As the film begins, set in the spring of 1942, we see Lieutenant Sam Lawson (Robertson) sunning himself on the beach of the relative safety of some Island in the South Pacific. He hardly appears to fit the bill of a soldier committed to the war effort, as his only goal seems to be getting as far away from the conflict as possible with his skin intact. This is learned during the ensuing argument he has with his commanding officer as he's given an assignment, interrupting his impending leave, that will take him to some remote island, forced to assist some British forces in their effort to aid American forces, specifically in terms of a convoy of ships traveling through dangerous, Japanese controlled waters. Arriving on the remote island, which the British seem to have an uneasy (to say the least) co-existence with Japanese forces (the British reside on the south part, the Japanese on the north, and the middle more or less a no man's land), Lawson finds he's stuck with a rather odd squad of misfits, would be deserters, and soldiers more willing to self inflict wounds rather than fulfill their duties, the mission turns out to be one with little hope of survival, as it takes them deep into Japanese territory. Somehow they manage to complete the mission (not without many casualties on both sides), but the survivors learn of a secret the Japanese would do anything to keep, and thus begins a race back to the British encampment, as the determined soldiers (what's left of them) are hounded incessantly by an equally determine force to keep their secret.
I think the element I liked most about this film was the sense of realism within the characters, especially that of Caine and Robertson. So often in films like this we're shown heroic characters who show little concern of sacrificing themselves for the greater good, and while that can make for a strong and up lifting story, presented here are characters that are more a bit more cynical, possessing the self preservation gene present in most of us normal, non-Hollywood character types. I'm not saying they would turn against their own in order to do save their skins, but the instinct of self-preservation certainly seemed to outweigh their commitment to duty (sometimes the two elements align themselves, as they did in this film, so there is a sense of heroism, even though it's a tenuous mask). The characters in this film may not be very appealing, but I think many of us could relate much more than we'd probably like to admit, if given we were in a similar situation. Another thing I liked about this film was the portrayal of the Japanese forces, led by Major Yamaguchi (Takakura). He wasn't a soulless, cruel leader, but only one intent on performing his task, even capable of acts of mercy (his offers of lenient treatment if the group surrendered seemed genuine after he went back on his promise to kill a couple of captured soldiers). I'm not saying you're going to gain an affinity for the Japanese cause in terms of their role in the war by the end of the film, but by not pushing the vilification of the character, it provided a rich sense of depth to the role, and gave the feeling that the soldiers, no matter what side they fought on, shared some commonalities, despite the motivations of their respective leaders. The pacing of the story was a little uneven at times, but it really picks up in the last half, as the men struggle to return to their safe haven. I liked the dialogue throughout, and was impressed by a very strong supporting cast. It was kind of odd seeing Bannen and especially Fraser essentially the same roles here as they did in Aldrich's The Flight of the Phoenix, but it worked there, and it works here. I really liked Denholm Elliott's character of Captain Hornsby, a very determined sort who pushes forward, committed to completing his task, despite his inadequacies as a leader, and the fact that his charges have little or no faith in his abilities (some of the men got killed under dubious circumstances). The film is filled with many tense scenes, as most of the story takes place in the thick of a claustrophobic jungle, but the tensest scenes occur at the end, during a deadly game of Red Rover. All in all a great film, a bit on the lengthy side (it runs about 2 hours, 15 minutes).
Initially Anchor Bay released the film on DVD in pan and scan and wide screen (1.85:1), but this MGM DVD release features only a 1.78:1 aspect ratio. The picture is clear and sharp here, and the audio comes through cleanly in Dolby Digital 2.0 mono. The only special feature available is a theatrical trailer for the film.
Cookieman108
Description of Too Late the Hero
OscarĀ(r) winners* Michael Caine and Cliff Robertson star in this "rousing" (Film & TV Daily) war drama about two reluctant heroes desperate to survive, even at the cost of their own allies. Thrilling, intense and harrowing, Too Late the Hero "will keep you on edge from start to finish" (Cue)! Lt. Lawson (Robertson) has only one interest in the wargetting out of it. Sent with British soldiers on a suicide mission to thwart the Japanese communications system, he finds a natural comrade in the cynical Tosh (Caine). But when the two soldiers make a discovery that could change the course of the war, they must decide whether to save themselves...or becomethe heroes they never wanted to be. *Caine: Supporting Actor, The Cider House Rules(1999); Hannah and Her Sisters (1986); Robertson: Actor, Charly (1968)Bestsellers in DVD
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