Hell Is for Heroes

It turns out that in 1962 Steve McQueen made two World War II movies in which he was extremely unlikable, and blurred the line between hero and psychopath. In Hell Is for Heroes, directed by Don Siegel (who would make many movies with Clint Eastwood) McQueen is in the Army instead of the Air Force.

He plays a guy called Reese who once was a master sergeant busted down to private and sent to a platoon to be commanded by a sergeant he used to serve with, played by Fess Parker. The platoon thinks they're about to get sent home, but instead get sent back into combat. Six men, including McQueen, have to hold the center of the line. If the Germans knew how few they were, they would be overrun in minutes.

So they do everything they can to make it sound like they are a larger troop. Other members include James Coburn, Harry Guardino as a tough sergeant, and Bobby Darin as the kind of soldier who is also trying to hustle.

Incredibly, this is the film debut of Bob Newhart, and they have him doing Bob Newhart shtick, including getting him on a phone. It's very funny, and though oddly inserted makes for some good comedic relief.

McQueen's character is a guy who's good at soldiering but has very bad social skills. But of course he will be the hero--was there any doubt?

Hell Is for Heroes is a good old-fashioned war picture, one without any ambiguity or political arguments. War is hell.