Screenplay by Herman Hoffman | ||
Produced by Robert MirischAaron Spelling (executive producer)Shelley Hull (associate producer) Written by Ernie FrankelHerman Hoffman Starring Ken BerryJim HuttonTrini LópezDon MarshallRalph MeekerCameron MitchellWarren Oates | ||
The Reluctant Heroes was a made-for-TV-movie and war film set in the period of the Korean War. It was directed by Robert Day and starred Ken Berry, Jim Hutton, Trini López, Don Marshall, Ralph Meeker, Cameron Mitchell and Warren Oates. The film also deals with some issues.
Contents
Storyline
The film is about a tired platoon of men who are about to be sent home, but are picked to hold an observation point. They become a doomed platoon of men with a non military man in charge. The man is Lt. Parnell Murphy (played by Ken Berry) who is a military historian and has no combat experience. In order to defend hill 656 which is of strategic importance, he uses military tactics of Napoleon and Alexander the Great, which he draws from his own studies in history.
About the film
The original title of the film was The Egghead on Hill 656. It was announced in the April 24, 1971, issue of Billboard as The Egghead on Hill 656. It first aired on ABC on November 23, 1971. It was filmed on a Paramount Studios back lot.
One of the issues addressed in the film is racism. Even though the film was lacking in some areas, its emphasis was correct on the strategic importance of bridges.
The original run time of the film was 73 minutes.
Cast
Release
The Reluctant Heroes was shown on ABC on November 23, 1971. The film was released on VHS.