Still worth seeing, as always, because of that amazing Sturges dialogue.
Hail the Conquering Hero (1944)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
Reviews Counted:17
Fresh:17
Rotten:0
Average Rating:8.8/10
Runtime: 1 hr 41 mins
Genre: Comedies
Synopsis: In Preston Sturges's ironic comedy HAIL THE CONQUERING HERO, a soldier who is discharged from the army for hay fever is welcomed home as a brave war hero.
Starring: Eddie Bracken, Ella Raines, William Demarest, Franklin Pangborn
Starring: Eddie Bracken, Ella Raines, William Demarest, Franklin Pangborn, Raymond Walburn, Elizabeth Patterson, Georgia Caine, Alan Bridge, Freddie Steele, Jimmy Conlin, Torben Meyer, John Seitz
Director: Preston Sturges
Director: Preston Sturges
Screenwriter: Preston Sturges
Composer: Werner Richard Heymann
Producer: Preston Sturges
Get This Movie
Reviews for Hail the Conquering Hero
Sturges veteran Demarest is at his peak here, as is Bracken, whose desperation is hysterical.
This riotously funny motion picture, this superlative small-town comedy, is also one of the wisest ever to burst from a big-time studio.
Sturges turns upside down the conventions of Hollywood's portraiture of small-town life: His characters' eccentricity is meant to show the more multifarious and resourceful nature of folks who just appear to be bland and ordinary.
Wonderful satire on small-town jingoism, all the more remarkable in that it was made during World War II.
moves beyond slapstick as it's skillfully and energetically put together to tell much about Americana.
The deft hand of Preston Sturges molded this film, further proof that he is one of the industry's best writer-directors.
The dialogue of Preston Sturges shoots and shoots, never seems to miss, and convinces you of its genius in around about a minute.
Sturges takes a savage swipe at some of America's most sacred cows in a classic comedy containing some of his most sustained satire.
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 15% 15% | The Ugly Truth |
| 98% 98% | Up |
| 36% 36% | G.I. Joe: The Rise of … |
| 52% 52% | The Taking of Pelham 1… |
| 45% 45% | Ice Age: Dawn of the D… |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 36% 36% | Angels & Demons |
| 68% 68% | Funny People |
| 25% 25% | Four Christmases |
| 45% 45% | Shorts |
RT On Current TV
DIRECTV 358 | Comcast 107 | DISH Network 196 | More...
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
CloseSponsored Links
Around The Network
- Hail the Conquering Hero at Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh Links
Featured

The director talks about puppetry perfection and his film, Fantastic Mr. Fox

Hollywood.com ponders whether or not an animated film could win Best Picture.

Richard Corliss previews the season's best offerings and hottest tickets.

The AV Club's Mike D'Angelo airs his beefs with Alfonso Cuaron's Children of Men.
Promos

Get the latest Tomatometer updates on upcoming movies!



Top Critic



