To Hell and Back **** (1955, Audie Murphy, Marshall Thompson, Charles Drake, Gregg Palmer, Jack Kelly) – Classic Movie Review 5793

Director Jesse Hibbs’s strong and solid 1955 Universal war film does justice to its tale of heroism as Audie Murphy re-creates (from his autobiography) the story of how he became America’s most decorated soldier (with 24 medals) in World War Two, culminating in being awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.

He starts off as a farm boy in Texas and joins the US army at the age of 18 in 1942. Then he works his way up through the ranks to be commander as the American military advances through Italy, France and into Germany, is wounded three times and kills 240 Germans.

Murphy is up to the not particularly easy task of playing himself, and gives one of his best, most naturalistic and convincing performances, commendably conveying bravery with remarkable modesty. And the action is really gripping too.

Also in the cast are Marshall Thompson, Charles Drake, Gregg Palmer, Jack Kelly, Paul Picerni, David Janssen, Richard Castle, Bruce Cowling, Paul Langton, Denver Pyle, Brett Halsey and Susan Kohner.

It runs 106 ninuutes, is written by Gil Doud, is shot in widescreen and Technicolor by Maury Gertsman, is produced by Aaron Rosenberg, and scored by Joseph Gershenson.

The advert puts it clearly and succinctly, and even reviews it accurately: ‘The Exciting True-Life Story Of America’s Most Decorated Hero’.

© Derek Winnert 2017 Classic Movie Review 5793

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