Jeffrey Hunter does a good job in this film, but the movie has a few weaknesses. The story of a boy brought up by Japanese foster parents is quite moving, and is the best part of the film. However, there are some unlikely combat situations once WW 2 breaks out on what is supposedly the Saipan campaign. Trust me, this is not what happened on Saipan, although many of the combat scenes are well done. The Thin Red Line was more in line with the reality of combat in Saipan. One major problem of making a WW 2 movie several years after the event, is the ability to convey atmosphere and believability. The Thin Red Line, although made decades after Hell to Eternity, was a bit better at capturing that atmosphere. Also, David Jansen as a marine drill sergeant? Not likely. It might have been more interesting if Jansen was the Japanese adoptee and Hunter was the drill sergeant. Still watchable as a decent action film, however.
Review of Hell to Eternity
