Watch Pork Chop Hill

Pork Chop Hill is a 1959 war film directed by Lewis Milestone and starring Gregory Peck, Harry Guardino, and Rip Torn. The movie is based on the book The Last Battle written by military historian S. L. A. Marshall, which outlines the events of the Battle of Pork Chop Hill during the Korean War. The movie follows a small unit of American soldiers who are tasked with holding the strategically important hilltop known as Pork Chop Hill. The men, led by Lieutenant Joe Clemons (Gregory Peck), are heavily outnumbered by Chinese and North Korean troops who are determined to take the hill at any cost. The battle for Pork Chop Hill becomes a test of wills, and a desperate struggle for survival.

The movie depicts the hardships and horrors of war in vivid detail. The soldiers are shown enduring brutal cold, hunger, and extreme physical and emotional stress. The fighting is portrayed realistically, with graphic depictions of close-quarters combat, mortar barrages, and artillery fire. The movie doesn't shy away from showing the gruesome injuries and deaths that occur during war.

Throughout the film, the soldiers are shown grappling with the morality of their mission. They question the value of holding the hill and the cost of the lives lost in the process. The movie doesn't glorify war, but rather portrays it as a tragic and costly enterprise.

The performances in Pork Chop Hill are strong, especially that of Gregory Peck as the determined and patriotic Lieutenant Clemons. The supporting cast is also excellent, with Harry Guardino delivering a standout performance as the platoon sergeant who clashes with Clemons' orders. Rip Torn is also noteworthy as a soldier who is driven to the brink by the stress of the battle.

The movie's cinematography is impressive, with director Lewis Milestone using the widescreen format to create sweeping landscapes of the Korean countryside. The battle scenes are filmed with an unflinching eye for detail, and the explosions and gunfire are intense and realistic.

One of the strengths of Pork Chop Hill is its attention to historical accuracy. The battle is portrayed as it was fought, with the soldiers using the same tactics and weapons that were used during the actual conflict. The movie also accurately depicts the political tensions that existed between the American and Chinese forces during the Korean War.

Overall, Pork Chop Hill is a powerful film that tackles the complexities of war with honesty and authenticity. It's a compelling and moving depiction of the sacrifices made by soldiers during times of conflict, and it's a tribute to the bravery of those who fought and died on Pork Chop Hill.

Pork Chop Hill is a 1959 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 37 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1.