Review of The Steel Helmet (1951) by Movie K — 26 May 2016

Quite good Korean War action movie. Gene Evans is the only survivor during an ambush by the enemies. His steel helmet save his life. A South Korean boy (William Chun) passed by and cut his bounded hand.

Gene allow him to tag along. When they walk pass a well, 2 enemies dress as farmers attack them and killed by Gene. William took their rifle and rounds. Then on the way Gene met another small group of US soldiers.

They take cover in a Buddhist temple but unknown to them, an enemy soldier Harold Fong also hide there. During the night he killed one of the soldier who is always quiet. The group gather and nearly all died when the grenade drop by Harold didn't blow up.

Gene shoot and search routine works and wounded him. He is caught and wound dressed. They are still trying to establish radio contact but it didn't work. Harold tried to use psychological tactics to make a black medic soldier James Edwards and Japanese-American Richard Loo turn against them but fails.

When the group is about to depart, the Lieutenant Steve Brodie want to swap helmet with Gene for good luck but Gene don't give a damn. He never respect officers and is brute and by his own rules. William walks out and shot dead by an enemy.

Gene is tough but actually very sad and sentimental now he spray rounds into Harold who later died. The enemies attack their fort now. They manage to get radio contact and reinforcement mortar attack kills the enemies.

Steve died at the last moment. The troops bring the survivors along. Gene swap his helmet with Steve at his rifle burial.