Battle Hymn (1956)
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28% of users liked it
(1,085 ratings)
Battle Hymn was inspired by the true story of American minister Dean Hess, played here with rare sensitivity by Rock Hudson. A bomber pilot during World War II, Hess inadvertently releases a bomb which destroys a German orphanage. Tortured by guilt, Hess relocates in Korea after the war to offer his… More Battle Hymn was inspired by the true story of American minister Dean Hess, played here with rare sensitivity by Rock Hudson. A bomber pilot during World War II, Hess inadvertently releases a bomb which destroys a German orphanage. Tortured by guilt, Hess relocates in Korea after the war to offer his services as a missionary. Combining the best elements of Christianity and Eastern spiritualism, Hess establishes a large home for orphans. The preacher's efforts are threatened when the Korean "police action" breaks out in 1950. Battle Hymn was one of several collaborations between Rock Hudson and director Douglas Sirk--though Sirk felt that Robert Stack would have been better suited to the role of Rev. Hess. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- Douglas Sirk
- Genres
- Drama, Action & Adventure, Classics
Unrated,
- In Theaters
- Feb 14, 1957 Wide
Critic Reviews
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Bosley Crowther, New York Times
...doesn't miss a single cliché as it makes a calculated circuit of the old militant sky-pilot plot.
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Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Douglas Sirk's sentimental Korean War tale of guilt and redemption is a weak, uncharacteristic film of the famed director, but it's worth seeing as a panel in his many collaborations with star Rock Hudson.
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
At best it's a serviceable war drama, that if it were not in Sirk's capable hands would have probably suffered an even more disastrous fate.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
No Featured Audience Ratings Found…
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Cast
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Rock Hudson
as Col. Dean Hess
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Anna Kashfi
as En Soon Yang
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Dan Duryea
as Sgt. Herman
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Don DeFore
as Capt. Skidmore
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Martha Hyer
as Mary Hess
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Jock Mahoney
as Maj. Moore
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Alan Hale Jr.
as Mess Sergeant
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Carl Benton Reid
as Deacon Edwards
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Richard Loo
as Gen. Kim
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James Edwards
as Lt. Maples
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Philip Ahn
as Old Man
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Bartlett Robinson
as Gen. Timberidge
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Simon Scott
as Lt. Hollis
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Teru Shimada
as Korean Official
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Carleton Young
as Maj. Harrison
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Art Millan
as Capt. Reardon
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William Hudson
as Navy Lieutenant
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Paul Sorenson
as Sentry
- Jung Kyoo Pyo
