Review of Too Late the Hero (1970) by Zoran S — 21 Apr 2011

Too Late the Hero is an exciting, tense WWII action/drama set in the early months of the war. Lt. Sam Lawson is about to go on a 4-week leave when he is called upon to take part in one more mission. On a small island in the New Hebrides, Lawson joins a group of British misfits as they plan to march across the island and destroy a Japanese radio outpost. Upon completing their mission, albeit with a few casualties, the survivors discover something that could save the lives of thousands of Allied troops. Can they get back to their base before their Japanese pursuers cut them off? The jungle setting is perfect and it adds to a building sense of being trapped by the end of the movie. The movie clocks in at 144 minutes and tends to drag a bit in the middle but overall, director Robert Aldrich has made a very effective anti-war film. Enough action to keep the story moving, and a climax that will have you on the edge of your seat.

Michael Caine leads the way as Pvt. Tosh Hearne, the Cockney medic who makes no bones about his disgust with the mission, Lawson, and his inept commanding officer. Caine was perfect for the part of this sarcastic trooper. Cliff Robertson is very good as Lt. Sam Lawson, an American officer who speaks Japanese who must accompany the British patrol on their mission. The dialogue between Caine and Robertson provides some of the movie's high points. The patrol includes Ian Bannen as the crazy Pvt. Thornton, Ronald Fraser as the cowardly Pvt. Campbell, Denholm Elliot as the inept Capt. Hornsby, and Percy Herbert as the veteran Sgt. Johnstone. Henry Fonda even makes a brief one-scene appearance as Nolan, Lawson's commanding officer. Ken Takakura is excellent is Major Yamaguchi, the Japanese officer pursuing the patrol across the island. The bare-bones DVD offers widescreen presentation and a theatrical trailer. It would have been nice to see some interviews with Caine or Robertson, but whatcha gonna do? All in all, an exciting, tense WWII story with good performances from its excellent ensemble cast, especially Caine and Robertson. Check out Too Late the Hero!