The Reluctant Heroes

The Reluctant Heroes
The Reluctant Heroes
Directed by	Robert Day
Written by	Ernie Frankel; Herman Hoffman
Screenplay by	Herman Hoffman
Produced by	Robert Mirisch; Aaron Spelling (executive producer); Shelley Hull (associate producer)
Starring	Ken Berry; Jim Hutton; Trini López; Don Marshall; Ralph Meeker; Cameron Mitchell; Warren Oates
Cinematography	Archie R. Dalzell
Edited by	Art Seid
Music by	Frank De Vol
Production; company	Aaron Spelling Productions
Distributed by	ABC Circle Films (1971–2007); ABC Studios (2007–present); Worldvision Enterprises (1971–99) (VHS); CBS Television Distribution (1999–present) (VHS);
Release date	November 23, 1971 (United States);
Running time	73 min
Country	United States
Language	English

The Reluctant Heroes is a made-for-TV movie and war film set in the period of the Korean War. It was directed by Robert Day and starred Ken Berry, Jim Hutton, Trini López, Don Marshall, Ralph Meeker, Cameron Mitchell and Warren Oates.^[1]

Plot

A tired platoon is about to be sent home, but is picked to hold an observation point.^[2] They are led by the inexperienced Lt. Parnell Murphy (Ken Berry), who is a military historian with no combat experience. In order to defend Hill 656, which has strategic importance, he uses military tactics of Napoleon and Alexander the Great,^[3] which he draws from his own studies in history.

Cast

Lt. Parnell Murphy ... Ken Berry
Cpl. Bill Lukens ... Jim Hutton
Pvt. Sam Rivera ... Trini López
Pvt. Carver LeMoyne ... Don Marshall
Capt. Luke Danvers ... Ralph Meeker
Sgt. Marion Bryce ... Cameron Mitchell
Cpl. Leroy Sprague ... Warren Oates
Pvt. Golden ... Richard Young
Cpl. Bates ... Michael St. George
Korean Officer ... Soon-Tek Oh

Production

The original title of the film was The Egghead on Hill 656 and was based on an original script by Herman Hoffman. Robert Mirsch signed to produce in February 1971.^[4]

It was filmed on a Paramount Studios back lot.^[5]

One of the issues addressed in the film is racism.^[5]^[6] Even though the film was lacking in some areas, its emphasis was correct on the strategic importance of bridges.^[5]

Release

The Los Angeles Times said "there is nothing new in the movie" but it "has its entertaining moments mostly because the players on the screen are so easy to watch."^[7]

References

^ "The Reluctant Heroes". Turner Classic Movies. Atlanta: Turner Broadcasting System (Time Warner). Retrieved November 6, 2016.
^ The Evening News November 23, 1971 5B TV Highlights, MOVIE OF THE WEEK - "The Reluctant Heroes
^ The Milwaukee Sentinel Tuesday, November 23, 1971 Page 14, Part 1 ABC MOVIE OF THE WEEK: "The Reluctant Heroes"
^ Mirisch Will Produce 'The Egghead' Movie Los Angeles Times 26 Feb 1971: i22.
^ ^a ^b ^c Lentz 2003, pp. 293-95.
^ Lentz 2003, pp. 444.
^ Beary Saves the Day With Indian Tactics Beigel, Jerry. Los Angeles Times 23 Nov 1971: f16.

Bibliography

Lentz, Robert J. (2003). Korean War Filmography. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company. ISBN 978-0-7864-1046-0. OCLC 50630520.

External links

[The_Reluctant_Heroes-1] "The Reluctant Heroes". Turner Classic Movies. Atlanta: Turner Broadcasting System (Time Warner). Retrieved November 6, 2016.

[2] The Evening News November 23, 1971 5B TV Highlights, MOVIE OF THE WEEK - "The Reluctant Heroes

[3] The Milwaukee Sentinel Tuesday, November 23, 1971 Page 14, Part 1 ABC MOVIE OF THE WEEK: "The Reluctant Heroes"

[4] Mirisch Will Produce 'The Egghead' Movie Los Angeles Times 26 Feb 1971: i22.

[FOOTNOTELentz2003[httpsbooksgooglecombooksidppc-CgAAQBAJpgPA295lpgPA295_293-95]-5] Lentz 2003, pp. 293-95.

[FOOTNOTELentz2003[httpsbooksgooglecombooksidppc-CgAAQBAJpgPA444lpgPA44_444]-6] Lentz 2003, pp. 444.

[7] Beary Saves the Day With Indian Tactics Beigel, Jerry. Los Angeles Times 23 Nov 1971: f16.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]