Too Late the Hero

Director: Robert Aldrich

Stars: Denholm Elliott, Harry Andrews, Henry Fonda, Michael Caine, Cliff Robertson, Ian Bannen

Year: 1970 Running Time: 144 mins Rating:

A group of British soldiers sharing a Pacific island with their Japanese adversaries are sent on a mission behind enemy lines. Director Robert Aldrich's blatantly anti-war movie stars Michael Caine as a rebellious private who leads a revolt against bungling commanding officers. Trivia: Aldrich attracted criticism for humanising the Japanese soldiers at the expense of their Allied opponents.

Review

A tense and exciting war drama set in the Pacific, with Michael Caine and Cliff Robertson sent behind enemy lines to destroy a Japanese observation post which monitors allied shipping.

The action is almost as violent, if nowhere near as gung-ho as director Robert Aldrich's earlier war adventure, The Dirty Dozen.

Perhaps this has something to do with the fact that it has a largely British cast, although there is nothing stiff-upper-lipped about Caine's performance as Cockney tough Tosh Hearne.

Robertson gives good value, as usual, and there are also strong portrayals by Ian Bannen and Denholm Elliott.

Thrilling stuff, with a few twists and turns before the final reel.