Battle Hymn (1957)

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Movie Info

Battle Hymn was inspired by the true story of American minister Dean Hess, played here with rare sensitivity by Rock Hudson. A bomber pilot during World War II, Hess inadvertently releases a bomb which destroys a German orphanage. Tortured by guilt, Hess relocates in Korea after the war to offer his services as a missionary. Combining the best elements of Christianity and Eastern spiritualism, Hess establishes a large home for orphans. The preacher's efforts are threatened when the Korean "police action" breaks out in 1950. Battle Hymn was one of several collaborations between Rock Hudson and director Douglas Sirk--though Sirk felt that Robert Stack would have been better suited to the role of Rev. Hess.

Cast

Rock Hudson
as Col. Dean Hess
Martha Hyer
as Mary Hess
Anna Kashfi
as En Soon Yang
Don DeFore
as Capt. Dan Skidmore
Dan Duryea
as Sgt. Herman
Jock Mahoney
as Maj. Moore
Alan Hale Jr.
as Mess Sergeant
James Edwards
as Lt. Maples
Carl Benton Reid
as Deacon Edwards
Richard Loo
as Gen. Kim
Philip Ahn
as Old Man
Bartlett Robinson
as Gen. Timberidge
Simon Scott
as Lt. Hollis
Teru Shimada
as Korean Official
Carleton Young
as Maj. Harrison
Art Millan
as Capt. Reardon
William Hudson
as Navy Lieutenant
Paul Sorenson
as Sentry
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Critic Reviews for Battle Hymn

All Critics (4) | Top Critics (1)

...doesn't miss a single cliché as it makes a calculated circuit of the old militant sky-pilot plot.

Jan 4, 2007 | Rating: 2/5 | Full Review…
New York Times
Top Critic

Douglas Sirk's sentimental Korean War tale of guilt and redemption is a weak, uncharacteristic film of the famed director, but it's worth seeing as a panel in his many collaborations with star Rock Hudson.

Jul 6, 2009 | Rating: C+ | Full Review…
EmanuelLevy.Com

At best it's a serviceable war drama, that if it were not in Sirk's capable hands would have probably suffered an even more disastrous fate.

Mar 9, 2007 | Rating: C | Full Review…
Ozus' World Movie Reviews
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Audience Reviews for Battle Hymn

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