Too Late the Hero (1970)

73% of critics liked it
(11 reviews)
61% of users liked it
(1,374 ratings)

Filmed on location in the Philippines Robert Aldrich's Too Late the Hero is set in the last months of World War II. Lackadaisical navy lieutenant Cliff Robertson, who happens to speak fluent Japanese, is ordered to go on a suicide mission to wipe out an enemy observation post. Robertson's equally… More Filmed on location in the Philippines Robert Aldrich's Too Late the Hero is set in the last months of World War II. Lackadaisical navy lieutenant Cliff Robertson, who happens to speak fluent Japanese, is ordered to go on a suicide mission to wipe out an enemy observation post. Robertson's equally unwilling partners in this venture are British captain Denholm Elliot and pugnacious cockney private Michael Caine. All three men prove to have unsuspected reserves of courage when the going gets toughest. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG, 2 hr. 13 min.
Directed By: Robert Aldrich
Written By: Robert Aldrich, Lukas Heller
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1970 Wide
On DVD: May 29, 2001

Critic Reviews

, TIME Magazine
The most aggravating thing about Too Late the Hero is that Aldrich is a film maker of some accomplishment.
Variety Staff, Variety
An okay World War II melodrama, featuring Michael Caine and Cliff Robertson as antagonists who come to respect each other in the course of destroying a Jaanese radio transmitter.
Roger Greenspun, New York Times
Although committed to the notion that war is an inclusive system of betrayals, the film subverts that notion and settles instead for some fashionable ironies and remarkably conventional jungle warfare displays.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Finds veteran action director Aldrich resting on his laurels, delivering a rather bland retread of past success.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
A Dirty Dozen formula macho war drama about war as betrayal.
Geoff Andrew, Time Out
The action has its moments (with the patrol's paranoia fed by taunting messages from Japanese loudspeakers hidden in the jungle), and the bantering dialogue is often very funny.
Steve Crum, Kansas City Kansan
Memorable conclusion, exciting war adventure.
, Film4
Just another war movie, really, with only the lengthy roster of star names and claustrophobic island location to set it apart from its peers.