Hail, hero!
| Movie | |
|---|---|
| Original title | Hail, hero! |
| Country of production | United States |
| original language | English |
| Publishing year | 1969 |
| length | 100 minutes |
| Rod | |
| Director | David Miller |
| script |
David Manber John Weston |
| production | Harold D. Cohen |
| music | Jerome Moross |
| camera | Robert B. Hauser |
| cut | John McSweeney Junior |
| occupation | |
| |
Hail, hero! is an American drama film directed by David Miller from 1969 . The theme of the film, which has not yet existed in a German-language version, the changing of the mind of a former pacifist to a soldier, takes place against the backdrop of the Vietnam War . The novel of the same name by John Weston served as the template for the script .
action
The student Carl Dixon leaves the university and enrolls in the US Army. Carl, who earlier evaded the draft and was arrested at anti-war demonstrations, tries to be clear about his worldview. To do this, he visits his home ranch in Arizona . An attempt to declare his entry into the army is prevented by preparations for his brother Frank's birthday party. Frank is crippled by an accident in his childhood. Father Albert blames Carl for this. Albert never understood Carl's pacifist stance.
Frank's injury kept him from following family tradition and becoming a soldier. The brothers reconcile after Carl Frank makes it clear that there is no shame in not fighting. As a present he gives him the mummified corpse of an Indian baby. However, the symbolic content of the gift is not clear to Father Albert. Carl's entry into the army baffles him. He thinks Carl wants to ally himself with the enemy.
Carl discovers that his mother, Santha, is having an affair with the manager of the local retirement home, Mr. Conklin. After a long conversation with Conklin, Carl prepares to leave for Vietnam . Before he leaves, he paints a psychedelic peace painting on the barn.
Reviews
Vincent Canby found that the film would not be acceptable without the young Michael Douglas. His portrayal is not necessarily remarkable, but energetic.
background
On October 4, 1969, the film premiered in Los Angeles .
The theme song was composed and sung by Canadian folk singer Gordon Lightfoot .
For Michael Douglas, who was nominated for the Golden Globe for Best Young Actor in 1970, it was the first leading role in a movie; Peter Strauss made his screen debut. Virginia Christine withdrew from show business after this film and was only seen sporadically in a few television series.
Web links
- Hail, hero! in the Internet Movie Database (English)