Customer Reviews

Hasty Heart [VHS]

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Richard Todd stars as a proud, stubborn Scottish soldier who learns some lessons about friendship in this little known film from 1949. At the close of World War Two, and following surgery for the removal of a kidney, he recovers in a jungle hospital, with the truth about his very serious condition being kept from him. His anger over his lack of a discharge, coupled with his hard attitude and demeanor, keeps him separated from fellow patients and nurse Patricia Neal. Attempts are made to befriend him, but it only leads to conflict. Ronald Reagan is the American patient "Yank" and he gives one of his better performances. Neal is also good, although a little detached, as the nurse trying to keep the peace. But it's Todd who really stands out, giving a moving performance as the friend-less Scotsman who has never fit in and has been hardened by the experience. The scenes are played with honesty, and although the film reveals its stage origins, it doesn't seem static. Director Vincent Sherman lets the characters and conflict drive this story about man's need for friendship, and the results are memorable.

Those who would dismiss Ronald Reagan's acting ability, whether for asthetic or politically partisan reasons, would be advised to check out "The Hasty Heart". Reagan is essentially the de-facto leader of a group of ailing G.I.s of differing nationalities sidelined in a British run hospital in Burma during the waning days of World War II. When the occasion called for it or the material warranted it Reagan rose to the challenge which is the case here. Essentially, though, this film is more of a vehicle for Richard Todd who plays a headstrong Scotsman who has days to live. Todd's character goes through the most changes in the film and he is superb. At first his charcter is disagreeable but through a believable transformation we grow to like him. Also good is Patricia Neal as a sympathetic Canadian nurse. The film is sentimental without being mawkish. It earns it's tears. "The Hasty Heart" is part of "The Ronald Reagan Signature Collection" and is not being sold separately. I can attest that this is a superlative collection but's it's a shame that Warner Brothers is not selling it apart from the set.

A superb, theatrical-style movie from a time when scripts were important, and emotions were more warm, sophisticated and true than those evoked by today's omni-present car chases and hi-tech explosions. Should be in every video library, and kids should be encouragd to watch it.

The dialogue is dated in places; some of the characters and scenes are not politically correct (this is an old film, of course); the special effects (at the beginning) are quite lame. Even so, I really REALLY loved this movie. In fact, I count it among the 10 all-time best movies I've ever seen. This story is about the transforming power of true friendship in the life of someone who is both utterly obnoxious and yet somehow endearing at the same time. Patricia Neal and Ronald Reagan are terrific in this film, but Richard Todd, as Lachie, steals the show with a moving performance that will stay with you, I think, for a long, long time.

I saw this movie many years ago and fell in love with it.
It takes place after the war at a military hospital.All
the soldiers in the hospital will be going home but one.
He ( Richard Todd) is dying and doesn't know it.Neither
do any of the other guys.Todd plays the very stoic and
unfriendly Scot to a tee.The nurse ( Pat Neal)knows that
the Scot won't be leaving the hospital and tries to get
to know and understand his standoffishness.He really is
an insufferably difficult person to warm up to.Ronald
Regan plays the head of the group and tries to be nice
to the Scot,but finds it all but impossible as do all
of the rest of the guys.The audience and the guys slowly get to know what has made the Scot the hard case that
he is and eventually everyone begins to get a little
closer to him.The way his life story unfolds is done
tenderly and with care.Eventually your heart goes out
to him. Todd is simply brillant in his portrayal.
Pat Neal is so incredibly believable as the nurse
that you find yourself hoping that if you ever have
to go to hospital,you hope she'll be there.
This is a tear jerker but it's still a feel good movie.
DVDDIVA

I Love everything about this film. I love Richard Todd's phony Scots accent, I love the African guy who only says one word, I love the guy who says of Ronald Reagan, "He knows more about politics than I do". This movie is usually referred to as one of the few Ronald Reagan movies that he wasn't terrible in, but it is much more than that. It is a moving and emotional film, with a memorable lead character in the kilted Scot, "Lachie" (played by Oscar-nominated Richard Todd), who is stubborn and unfriendly to the other patients, but also naive and vulnerable, gaining the audience's sympathy. The film closely follows the acclaimed play by John Patrick, but there are some changes made. Its a modest flick and generally forgotten nowadays, but I think its great. PS Joan Crawford also liked it.

This is a very good movie, from (I believe) a play. Everyone (particularly Reagan and Richard Todd) does a splendid job in a story of different personalities and characters recovering in an infirmary in Asia at the end of the Second World War. One of the interesting aspects is the look at American - English differences (Reagan and Todd) in outlook, "stiff upper lip". This movie contains emotional truths that are glowing.

BRILLIANT FILM ... RICHARD TODD FULLY DESERVED HIS AWARD NOMINATIONS AS THE DOUR SCOT WHO DOESN'T REALISE HE'S DYING, BUT HAS BEEN WON ROUND AND ACCEPTED FRIENDSHIP FROM A BUNCH OF FELLOW HOSPITAL PATIENTS, ONLY TO HATE THEM AND HIMSELF WHEN HE FINDS OUT THEY DID SO BECAUSE THEY KNEW HIS ILLNESS. THE WONDER OF IT ALL IS THAT IN THE END HE REALISES PEOPLE CAN GIVE FRIENDSHIP REGARDLESS OF HOW A PERSON IS TO THEM AND THE FILM ENDS ON A JOYOUS NOTE AS EVERYONE MOST OF ALL TODD ACCEPTS THE REALITY OF FATE, BUT DO SO IN HAPPINESS AND FRIENDSHIP.

"The Hasty Heart" (1949) tells the story of a dying Scottish soldier, Lachie (Richard Todd), in Burma at the end of WWII. Lachie is unaware of his condition and demands to be sent home to Scotland. He's also a bit of a tough loner, and his physician decides to enlist the help of Sister Parker (Patricia Neal) to help Lachie die with some dignity. Sister Parker and her patients (including a youngish Ronald Reagan) try to befriend Lachie to make his final weeks more comfortable. The young Scot, though, refuses to cooperate.

Based on the play by John Patrick, "The Hasty Heart" provides some shrewd insight into the nature of friendship and the way in which people question each others' motives. Although elements of the storyline are a bit dated, the film is tremendously moving at times. Richard Todd, in his film debut, is spectacular as the stubborn Scotsman. Todd served in WWII, and is completely believable in this role. He was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor, losing to Broderick Crawford for "All the King's Men." Todd also won the Golden Globe for Most Promising Newcomer - Male. Reagan has one of his better roles here, in what is arguably one of his best films, along with "King's Row." The film at times veers towards sappy melodrama, but skilled director, Vincent Sherman ("Mr. Skeffington," "Old Acquaintance"), keeps things on the right track. This somewhat forgotten film is truly a beauty and deserves to be better known.

This film and its true star are all but forgotten today. Nominally, Ronald Reagan heads the cast but it is Richard Todd who steals the film. His performance is mesmerizing, a real tour de force. I first saw it in 1949 at the age of 13 and several more times over the 60 years since it appeared. Todd was nominated for an Academy Award in the best actor category but lost to Broderick Crawford who won for All the Kings Men.

The story concerns a Scot, wounded on the last day of WWII, who is going to die. He doesn't know his fate or that the commanding officer of the medical unit treating him has asked his ward mates to try to make his last days of life pleasant. This proves difficult since the Scot is very difficult to know or to like.

Their perseverence is rewarded by the dying man's response to their efforts. We are rewarded by the exquisite beauty of his comments upon the discovery of friends, affection, and love. When he learns of the commanding officer's request to his fellow patients he feels completely betrayed. The scenes following this moment are almost unbearable emotionally with Todd literally reducing even the strongest among us to quivering wrecks. Keeping the tissue handy is a must.

When I saw the film at 13 in 1949 the entire audience was in tears. I've never watched the film among friends - male and female - who didn't break down more than once. Is that an honest recommendation for seeing a film? I think it is - one's emotion is a reaffirmation of one's humanity and a longing to know and keep genuine love and concern among humankind.