Product Details

• Actors: Gregory Peck, Harry Guardino, Rip Torn, George Peppard, Carl Benton Reid
• Directors: Lewis Milestone
• Writers: James R. Webb, S.L.A. Marshall
• Producers: Sy Bartlett
• Format: Black & White, Closed-captioned, HiFi Sound, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
• VHS Release Date: February 10, 1998
• Run Time: 97 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 0792837959
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #162,604 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This gritty, grim Korean war drama presents the grueling ordeal of a platoon charged with taking a hill of no military value during the final days of the war. While diplomats and generals argue over peace negotiations (in an appropriately wordless montage under the opening credits), tough but compassionate Lt. Joe Clemons (Gregory Peck) leads a unit of 135 men up a well-guarded hill while miscommunication--and at times no communication--cuts them off from reinforcements and regimental command. Shot against a bleak, battle-scarred mountain of white dust honeycombed with black trenches, director Lewis Milestone presents the devastating battle as a meaningless sacrifice of hundreds of lives spent in a political game of chicken. Peck leads a terrific cast of young talents and character actors, many of them just starting their respective careers: Rip Torn, Harry Guardino, Martin Landau, Norman Fell, George Peppard, Gavin MacLeod, Bert Remsen, Harry Dean Stanton, plus veteran stalwarts Woody Strode, James Edwards, Robert Blake, and Bob Steele. Milestone had previously directed the pacifist WWI classic All Quiet on the Western Front and the compassionate WWII platoon drama A Walk in the Sun. Pork Chop Hill adds one more antiwar classic to his résumé, the angry power of his drama overcoming the hollow patriotic voice-over (reportedly added by Peck) that concludes the drama. --Sean Axmaker

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Welcome to the meat grinder.", June 29, 2005

By 

Dave (Tennessee United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pork Chop Hill (DVD)

Gregory Peck stars as Lt. Joseph Clemons, who in the spring of 1953 leads Company K of the 7th U.S. Infantry in a bloody frontal assault on "Pork Chop Hill", which has been recently captured and occupied by Red Chinese troops. The Real Joseph Clemons, who'd attacked the heavily-defended hill with 135 men and had retaken it with only 28 of his men surviving, served as technical advisor throughout the filming of "Pork Chop Hill". Gregory Peck gave one of his best performances as Lt. Clemons, and throughout his career he often played officers in war movies ("Guns of Navarone", "Twelve O'Clock High", "The Purple Plain", "Captain Newman, M.D.", etc.).

Director Lewis Milestone, who'd already directed the World War 1 masterpiece "All Quiet on the Western Front" as well as the underated World War II classic "A Walk in the Sun", made "Pork Chop Hill" perhaps the definitive Korean War film, and wisely chose to cast many unknown actors (with the exception of Gregory Peck of course) in an attempt to create a more believable war movie. The battle scenes were superb and grimly realistic, and the friendly fire, lack of reinforcements, and inaccurate communication system were all portrayed correctly. It's hard to believe that this excellent and realistic movie was completed in just 40 days. In short, the acting, directing, and filming couldn't have been better.

The MGM dvd of "Pork Chop Hill" has an awesome picture and sound quality, and the bonus features include the original trailer as well as an eight-page booklet with plenty of historical trivia and behind-the-scenes info. "Pork Chop Hill" is a grim portrait of the absurdity and tragedy of war and is a definite must-see for every American.

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lewis Milestone Pays Tribute to Korean War Heroes, January 25, 2005

By 

L. Shirley "Laurie's Boomer Views" (Huntington Beach,CA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Pork Chop Hill [VHS] (VHS Tape)

"Pork Chop Hill" from 1959 is a grim but riveting look at an actual battle, near the close of the Korean War. Lewis Milestone, who already had left quite a distinguishable mark on Hollywood, directed this, his third entry into what may be considered his anit-war trilogy. "All Quiet on the Western Front"(1930), his academy award winning look at the horrors of WWI, and "A Walk In the Sun" made in 1945, his WWII entry, were the first two.

Gregory Peck stars as Lt. Joe Clemons, who is ordered to lead an Army Company to hold "Pork Chop Hill". The hill is insignificant to the outcome of the war, and not only that, but the war is all but over. Knowing this, the men are not exactly gung-ho to risk their lives. They are pinned down and outnumbered by the enemy, shells going off all around, they lack water, food, medical supplies, communication is practically nil, and were also taunted by psychologically destructiove messages, broadcasted by the Chinese. There was great loss and sacrifice of life and limb, yet the powers that be, commanded they "hold that hill". And so they did.

War Buffs and Film Buffs alike will well appreciate the authenticity of the battle, and the superb way it was shot. The black and white cinematography, adds to the starkness and bleakness of the situation these infintry men faced. Peck turns in a masterful performance and the film is also known for so many young talented actors involved that would go on to be stars and great character actors. The cast includes, George Peppard, Harry Guardino, Rip Torn, Woody Strode, Martin Landau, Harry Dean Stanton, and Robert Blake(who oddly enough can't seem to find his gun). And that is just to name a few.

It's an eye opener and wonderful tribute to these Korean War Heroes, who didn't get quite the attention or accolades of those from other wars. A must have addition to your Gregory Peck, or great war films collection.

Enjoy...Laurie

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars one of the first realistic war pictures made, October 8, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Pork Chop Hill [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Even tho this movie was made in 1959 it still measures up to todays standards of war pictures made, and in most cases is better than what they have out there today. The director was very accurate in the setting and the history behind the battle from what I read about Pork Chop Hill and what my father told me, who was in the 2nd Infrantry division during the Korean War and fought at Old Baldy.The cast of actors are good in there portrayal of the every day soldier concerns and fears,and finally the propoganda that the Chinese broadcasted over the speakers is deadly accurate from what my father told me.