Hell Is for Heroes

Don Siegel's only war film and unfortunately his only teaming with Steve McQueen, an actor whose rebellious persona jibed well with the director's vision, it puts the star in the familiar role of antihero. His character, Reese, is an embittered G.I. who has just been sent back to join his war-weary ...more

Despite an obviously limited budget which gives one the feeling that these are the only Americans fighting the war, this is a small, solid film, with a thoroughly convincing performance by a glowering McQueen. While viewers have become accustomed to a more gung ho treatment of WWII, Siegel characteristically opts to emphasize the more existential, absurdist aspects of warfare. Not only is the protagonist a surly reprobate, but the entire unit is composed of colorfully offbeat characters, ...more