To Hell and Back (1955)
Audie Murphy, the most decorated American soldier in World War II, enjoyed a Hollywood acting career after the fight. In this 1955 autobiographical film, however, he plays himself re-creating his own actions and movements in key battles. As strange as this project might have seemed to him at the time, the results are pretty impressive. The film, despite a flat script, is really a pretty good war drama about Murphy and his buddies making their way from North Africa to Berlin. –Tom Keogh
The most decorated u.S. Soldier of world war ii portrays himself in his life story. Studio: Uni Dist Corp. (mca) Release Date: 05/25/2004 Starring: Audie Murphy Charles Drake Run time: 106 minutes Rating: Nr Director: Jesse Hibbs
Related posts:
- The Adventures of Ma & Pa Kettle, Vol. 1 (The Egg and I / Ma and Pa Kettle / Ma and Pa Kettle Go to Town / Ma and Pa Kettle Back on the Farm) (1950)
- Pokemon: Giratina & The Sky Warrior (2009)
- Tammy And The Bachelor / Tammy Tell Me True / Tammy And The Doctor (Triple Feature)
- B.B. King Live [Blu-ray] (2008)
- Chronicles of Riddick & Pitch Black [Blu-ray]
Tagged with: 1955 • Back • Hell
Filed under: DVD Movies
Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!
The single biggest reason to watch this movie is that the star himself was in fact the single most decorated war hero of World War Two, and he is convincing here playing himself with dignity, sincerity, and humility, which, of course, Audie Murphy always had in spades. The movie was adopted from his best-selling autobiography, which my Mom let me read after blackening out all of the four letter slang (as she called it). Perhaps it shows that he was my childhood hero, and I still have a personalized autographed photo somewhere reading “Thanks, Barry, for being my fan” that a friend’s mom got for three or four of us ten year olds at the time this movie was released in the mid 1950s. It was the first movie I saw ten times. And I wasn’t alone; Murphy was a national icon.
The movie truly is a classic; tightly directed, poignant, honest, accurate, and showing gripping combat without being gory or maudlin. It sometimes decends into travelogue movie-theater type newsreel moments, but these are thankfully rare and forgiveable. On the other hand, this is an interesting and absolutely true story of a common and uneducated boy from rural Texas who wanted more than anything to be a soldier and serve his country, and his subsequent deeds and patriotism above and beyond the call of duty inspired a whole generation of us who wanted to imitate his call to country. Unfortunately we walked into another time and the miasma of Vietnam. But that’s another story for another time. Escape back to a time when the moral choices were clearer, and a real live hero was available to act his way memorably through an accurate recounting of his extraordinary if abbreviated military career. He may be gone too soon, the victim of a plane crash in the early 1970s, but his lifetime admirers remain. Enjoy!
5.0 out of 5 stars
TO HELL AND BACK
Great Movie! Where the son takes over for his father that left the family and the family is broke. He gave up school to provide for his brothers and sisters.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great movie
A great movie and one heck of a soldier. The movie just scratches the surface of what Audie Murphy did in WW II.
This is one of my favorite war films for several reasons. One is that it is always fascinating to see how a book is translated into film, and in this case, Murphy’s story is told very well. And I can’t remember many other films where the author plays himself! Though not the best war film ever made, it does tell the story the way Murphy wanted it told, through the eyes of the everyday soldier.
What makes the film stand out to me is that Murhpy gives a more gutsy performance than most people can realize. It was learned many years later that he suffered from recurring nightmares about the horrors he saw in war, and one can only imagine what it was like to have to recreate so many painful memories, especially the scene where his best friend(played by Charles Drake) dies in his arms. Though the character had a different name, the scene is almost exactly the way it happened.
Perhaps what I take from this is how war can so drastically change a person. Murhphy entered the war as an underage oprphan who initially was thought unfit for combat, and went on to become our most decorated combat soldier. While it does get a little cliched at times, this movie is enjoyable because it allows us to see the real hero is the common foot soldier, without whom the war could not have been won.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Faithful account
It is a faithfull account of the life and military service of Mr. Murphy. Well filmed and acted. Good cinematography; unlike a lot of films of that era, it was mostly filmed…
I have to say that after I saw this movie, I was a little embarassed that I had never heard of Audie Murphy before, especially since I’m 37 years old. This guy epitomizes the term “war hero” and his story needs to be retold. I’d love to see this remade so that more generations of people would know about him. The current version was great, especially because Audie plays himself. A must watch, especially for anyone who doesn’t know anything about him.
3.0 out of 5 stars
Mostly accurate history
Being an avid reader of military history, and knowing someone with eyewitness knowledge of Audie Murphy’s wartime exploits.
5.0 out of 5 stars
To Hell and Back
Very interesting true story of Audie Murphys life, how he grew up supporting his mother and siblings from the age of 12, signed up in the army after many rejections from the…
5.0 out of 5 stars
A good film but …
Audie Murphy’s story is one of incredible courage and tragedy. The most decorated American soldier who ever lived — the 2nd most visited grave at Arlington National Cemetary…
5.0 out of 5 stars
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.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hero
Good movie, see what the real Audie Murphy is like as well, visit his web site.
4.0 out of 5 stars
humble look at bravery
this picture was very well done concedering it was 1955.too bad it
couldnt be remade with todays technlogy with the horor of war the main
theme.
5.0 out of 5 stars
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.