DramaYear1968Duration1h 42mIMDb5.7

The Hell with Heroes

Drama

In 1946 North Africa, two former US Air Force pilots are forced to work for an international smuggler to get money needed for their return to civilian life after fighting in World War II.

Trailer

Cast

Joseph Sargent

Director

Rod Taylor

Brynie MacKay

Claudia Cardinale

Elena

Harry Guardino

Lee Harris

Kevin McCarthy

Col. Wilson

Pete Duel

Mike Brewer

William Marshall

Al Poland

Don Knight

Pepper

MS

Michael Shillo

Pol Guilbert

Robert Yuro

Willoughby

Lew Brown

Sgt. Shaeffer

Wilhelm von Homburg

Hans

Tanya Lemani

Jamila

Mae Mercer

Chanteuse

Émile Genest

Insp. Bouchard

LD

Louis De Farra

Pierre

JB

Jacqueline Bertrand

French Girl

RN

Rick Natoli

Urchin

TN

Tony Nassour

Urchin

Harold Livingston

Writer

HW

Halsted Welles

Writer

Comments

7 Comments

THE TIKTOK GODDESS 🧝🏻‍♀️Feb 19, 2024

C๏mfץFeb 19, 2024

source: The Hell with Heroes

AKAFeb 19, 2024

While the plot is completely different, as if suddenly began to develop, I began to think of some mid-to-late forties adventures that were complex B budgeted film noir or espionage thrillers that filled movie screens to indicate that while the war was over, it was still going on for some. Being from Universal, there were certain elements that reminded me of a few low budget Universal films, particularly 1946's "Tangier" which starred Maria Montez, Robert Paige and Sabu. The difference is that most of those films only ran just over an hour where this runs over 90 minutes and is filled with a lot of complex details involving a plot that take it all over the place. This has to deal with smuggling, and certainly, leading actor Rod Taylor and the exotic Claudia Cardinale do represent the type of romantic pairing that was prevalent in these movies. Set in Africa, this film deals with the desperation of Americans to get back home and some of the illegal activities that got involved with in order to achieve that goal. Taylor is joined by Peter Duel, Kevin McCarthy and Harry Guardino who is the bad guy here, the head of the smuggling organization who basically forces Taylor to become involved in this so he and the others can get out and make a little profit along the way. The complex storyline is often over the top and a bit confusing, one of those films that tries to be more intelligent than its audience and the sends up a bit pretentious and irritating. Good photography and a snappy musical score helps a bit, but if you lose concentration for a few minutes here and there, you may find yourself lost. Cardinale is certainly a beautiful exotic star, and when she's on screen, you can't take your eyes off of her. She is certainly perfect to play the type of role that Maria Montez played back when the war ended. It's just a shame that the movie itself it jumped out easy to follow, but there are some very intense and thrilling moments that will draw you back in and hopefully give you a clue as to what it supposed to be happening.

Mohamed AlkordiFeb 19, 2024

I have looked for this film since three decades now. And I at last saw it. In f... pan and scan, unfortunately. But the copy was OK, an off shore copy. Rod Taylor plays here a character not so far from the one he head in THE MERCENARIES, shot one year before. But, of course, every one will prefer the Jack Cardiff's masterpiece. Yes, i agree with the other user, another director than Sargent would have given a better film. But, it's worthwhile, regarding the rare gem. I am now waiting for a DVD release. Cardinale is here at her best. Guardino is OK as the bad guy. Try yourself if you can.

Sup...Feb 19, 2024

I saw this film maybe 25/30 years ago on T.V. and thought it was a great film. I knew who Rod Taylor was from The Time Machine and The Birds, and thought the dark haired young man working with him was particularly handsome - I didn't even know it was Pete Duel! From what I remember of the film, it was very exciting and built up to a very emotional climax. What a shame Pete Duel's films have faded out of circulation while other films that were not half as good are given air time on T.V. and can be purchased relatively easily. I love Rod Taylor's films and this one should be proudly displayed with the rest of his excellent work. I've never understood why they have not shown this film on T.V. since. I keep hoping TCM or Sky Classics will dig a copy out of the vault and broadcast it (but it hasn't happened yet) - I live in hope. Failing that, I would love to buy this film (but can't find it - grrr!). If anyone out there has any pull with the studios, please, please, please, release this film on DVD (and don't forget us who don't live in the US, who would love to see this film too)!!! Just release it for one year - and in different regions - and tell us when it's out - that will be enough time. Pleeeeaaaase????

Any LoulouFeb 19, 2024

Had it been informed by the sensibilities prevailing but a few years after its release, The Hell With Heroes might have become a cult classic: two discarded war heroes, cynical pilot-of-fortune Taylor and his appealingly (and handsomely) ingenuous sidekick Deuel, adventuring in an Africa in its last throes of anti-colonialist turmoil, fall victims to a crook and his moll ... it reeks of existential angst while providing plenty of Cardinale's cleavage (with stuff blowing up in the background). But the film neatly sidesteps the paradoxes it presents -- whose land is this, and who are the real savages here? (Hint: they wear wrist watches and sunburn easily). Deuel's performance has satisfying depth, and his technique, considerable subtlety; despite the role's stereotypical attributes (friendly, uncomplicated kid, worships older, cynical Alpha Male), his is the only character whom we suspect of thoughts and feelings to which we are not explicitly privy. Worth watching if only to ponder how Deuel might further have developed his craft had he not succumbed to depression over the slick commercial path onto which his career was even then being steered. Taylor is reliably fun to watch, Cardinale is real eye-candy, and Guardino and McCarthy deliver as always ... the action and scenery aren't half bad, either. As a plus, it's a decent family film (not pre-schoolers, of course), with a moral spin about what evil does to those who tolerate it and the usual pre-ratings absence of frontal nudity, baroque sexuality, and self-medication with heroin. Good beat, you can dance to it -- I give it an 85.

Stephanie Andres EncFeb 19, 2024

The different contributions by the screenplay and the director to a movie's quality have always been misunderstood. Critics, amateur and professional, give all the credit to the director when a film is good, and all the blame when a film is not. "The Hell With Heroes" has a brilliant cast and a really good screenplay that, with one final polish, could have been a masterpiece. However, Universal entrusted this project to a TV director and a second string crew, and the movie did not fulfill its potential. Nevertheless, "The Hell With Heroes" is interesting and enjoyable, and in places quite moving. Better than almost any other film, it demonstrates that if the screenplay is good, a fine movie will probably result, even if the director is sub-standard. Set in 1946 in North Africa and Europe, where the ravages of the Second World War have caused shortages of everything, "The Hell With Heroes" tells how two American ex-servicemen are lured into working with black-marketeers. One of the ex-war heroes falls in love with the mistress of the head of the racket, and all the main characters face dilemmas and have to make difficult choices. With that narrative material and that cast, a classic film could have resulted. Unfortunately the director did not know where to place his camera: frequently the camera is too close, when a medium shot would have been better. Even worse, the director is in too much of a hurry and does not allow scenes to play naturally, with characters pausing to think, and with emotions rising gradually. There are several key scenes that fall well short of the screenplay's potential. This is not the cast's fault. They do the best they can, and Rod Taylor in particular provides some high quality emotional acting. Another area where the movie should have been better is in the make-up and lighting of Claudia Cardinale. Cardinale in the 1960s was a magnificent woman, but her beauty is given no help in "The Hell With Heroes". If only someone like Jack Cardiff or John Alton had been behind the camera! (If only someone like John Frankenheimer or Robert Wise had been directing!) "The Hell With Heroes" seems to have disappeared in recent years, and is now almost unknown. Not long ago a bootleg DVD was touted on Ebay, and the vendor stated that the copyright was in the public domain. I hope this is incorrect, because I want Universal to issue a proper wide-screen DVD.

Featured Picks

Looking for more entertainment? Explore our recommended gaming hub and short-drama destination.

Instant Games

Gamixo

Play casual browser games with puzzles, cards, sports, and quick challenges ready in seconds.

Short Drama

VSKIT Drama

Watch trending mini-series, romance stories, and fresh short dramas with fast daily updates.