Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #266267 in DVD
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Running time: 97 minutes

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

"Welcome to the meat grinder."
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.

Lewis Milestone Pays Tribute to Korean War Heroes
"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

Great War Film
Pork Chop Hill is a woefully undervalued war film, superior to some of its more heralded genre partners. The reason is that Pork Chop Hill presents a somewhat complex string of events, stretching from the battlefield to the negotiating table. It pulls this combination off flawlessly, and also delivers a poignant message concerning wars, and the men who fight them.

Pork Chop Hill is the story of a company of American GI's in the Korean War, commanded by Lt. Clemens, portrayed magnificently by a stoic and brave Gregory Peck. They are ordered to advance on a heavily defended Chinese hill, a geographical point of little consequence. Told the hill is lightly defended, Peck advances with confidence, but it quickly becomes clear that this is far from the mop up operation promised by his superiors. He takes heavy casualties, and is drawn into a fierce battle against overwhelming Chinese forces. Meanwhile, his communication to the rear is cut, and Peck is forced to make some tough decisions on his own. Shockingly, the commanders fail to understand the facts on the ground, and continue to make woefully ill informed decisions, in order to save face. Their inaction causes numerous deaths, and Peck is stuck in a battle he cannot win. The film also shows the high command, who care little about a minor battle and the men involved.

Peck is absolutely wonderful as the solid battlefield commander who will do anything for his men. When his troops falter, he is there to steel them. One of the most effective scenes in the film is when Peck is confronted by a soldier who has deserted his position and questions the worth of the ground they are on. Peck tells him the age-old battle axiom, that the lands worth is measured by the amount of blood spilled, and that you fight for your friends, nothing else. A unique point in Pork Chip Hill is the emphasis on the Chinese propaganda system, which must have been devastating, as it effects the viewer, and must have been even worse on the actual soldiers involved. It is just a great battlefield film in so many ways, a must see for fans of cinema and especially for Gregory Peck admirers.