Product Details

• Actors: John Saxon, Charles Aidman, Sydney Pollack, Tommy Matsuda, Gavin MacLeod
• Directors: Denis Sanders
• Format: Black & White, Closed-captioned, DVD, Letterboxed, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 2.0)
• Subtitles: English, Spanish, French
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
• DVD Release Date: May 20, 2003
• Run Time: 83 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00008PC12
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #122,990 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "War Hunt" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

For some soldiers, the fighting never stops even when the battle is over. OscarÂ(r) winner*Robert Redford makes a memorable big-screen debut in this "subtle, poignant, carefully engraved film" (The New Yorker) about the darker side of war. During the final bloody weeks of the Korean War, idealistic Private Loomis (Redford) is sent to the front lines as a replacement in a battle-weary platoon. But when he learns that a reclusive fellow soldier named Endore has been sneaking behind enemy lines to kill under the cover of darkness, Loomis fears that Endore isn't just a fearless warrior but an unpredictable, sinister predator who could prove more dangerous than the enemy! *1980: Director, Ordinary People; 2001: Honorary Award

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Solid intro for Redford, but Saxon is the real star..., June 9, 2003

By 

Mark Savary "moon_city" (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: War Hunt (DVD)

This is an obviously low-budget affair, but don't let that dissuade you from at least screening this film.

Set in the waning days of the Korean War, the story revolves around a new replacement (Robert Redford), who joins an infantry unit on the front lines. As he experiences the bitter taste of war, he tries to understand the meaning of it all. Meanwhile, he is concerned over the psychotic lone wolf in the outfit (John Saxon), and his bizzare attachment to a young Korean kid. Saxon's character is a successful killing machine, but unaccustomed to fitting in with people.

The main selling point is, of course, the film debut of Robert Redford. Redford is excellent here, even at a relatively young age. Redford has always been good at playing honest, good-guy straight shooters, and his debut as Pvt. Roy Loomis is no exception. However, it really has to be said that, for as good as the young Redford is, it is John Saxon who steals the show as the brooding, psychotic killing machine, Endore. If you don't believe me, just check out the scene when Redford confronts him, and Saxon shows us a murderer using every ounce of control at his command to master his anger and keep from killing.

Gavin MacLeod and Tom Skerritt play fellow soldiers in the squad, and the stark black & white photography assists in setting the proper mood for the story.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Hunting the impact of war, March 3, 2006

By 

David Burris "Knight Surgeon" (Potomac, MD USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: War Hunt (DVD)

War Hunt is an absorbing comparison of the effects of war on two individuals.

One responded to the emotional impact of killing by embracing it. He becomes an isolated, cold and silent killing machine who creeps up at night and kills with a knife, then dances around the bodies. His only emotinal connection is with a young house boy. His influene on that child is chilling.

The second is embodied in the introdcution of Robert Redford to the screen. The war seen through his eyes is tragic and wasteful. His bravery in confronting the evil influence of the first soldier represents a nobility in a man that is in sharp contrast to the dehumanizing effects of the war.

Some would argue that the film effects, representing the state of the art in 1961 give a dated feel that is distracting. However this lends a grittiness and documentary feel that enhances the message.

The popcorn will be forgotton. Save if for a second feature of a much lighter or comic vein, as this heavy film is better digested in pieces over time than brooded over as the only thought late in the evening.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Ingenious, deeply stimulating, and cautiously photographed..., January 16, 2007

By 

Roberto Frangie "Robert" (Leon, Gto. Mexico) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: War Hunt (DVD)

The 'psychotic' hero is an essay captured in two fine War films: Donald Siegal's "Hell Is For Heroes"-- the story of a sergeant who for being psychotic embarked on suicidal heroic missions, and our distinguished film "War Hunt."

The picture is clearly stated and openly defined... Pvt. Raymond Endore (John Saxon) goes out at night on 'solitary' patrols... The information he brings back is very useful for Capt. Wallace Pratt (Charles Aidman) whose posture toward Endore is 'paternal' gratification...

But the strong reason to his voluntary patrol is to murder... He is a ritual killer practicing a formal act with his knife, and after finishing with his victim, he stands behind the body in mystical meditation...

Even after the cease-fire on the Korean front, Endore extends his night patrols... This 'psycho' mind is already sick, and there is nothing to be done to narrow his actions...

With just one major battle scene, "War Hunt" is absolutely a penetrating study of War drama, focusing on its traumatic effects: The 'fighting' soldier and the 'non-fighting' man...

"War Hunt" is ingenious, deeply stimulating, and cautiously photographed... The extraordinary hand-to-hand fight, between Redford and the Chinese soldier, proves it...

John Saxon is terrific as the tormentor and Robert Redford (in his film's debut) is excellent as the idealistic Pvt. Roy Loomis...