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Hell Is for Heroes 1962

During World War II, Sergeant Larkin and his platoon, which includes the defiant Reese and the charming Corby, look forward to returning home from the Siegfried Line in France. However, their hopes are dashed when they encounter a formidable German pillbox and find themselves in a perilous fight for survival against overwhelming odds. The men must confront their personal struggles while battling a relentless enemy in a desperate bid to make it through the war.

During World War II, Sergeant Larkin and his platoon, which includes the defiant Reese and the charming Corby, look forward to returning home from the Siegfried Line in France. However, their hopes are dashed when they encounter a formidable German pillbox and find themselves in a perilous fight for survival against overwhelming odds. The men must confront their personal struggles while battling a relentless enemy in a desperate bid to make it through the war.

Does Hell Is for Heroes have end credit scenes?

No!

Hell Is for Heroes does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.

Meet the Full Cast and Actors of Hell Is for Heroes

Explore the complete cast of Hell Is for Heroes, including both lead and supporting actors. Learn who plays each character, discover their past roles and achievements, and find out what makes this ensemble cast stand out in the world of film and television.


Ratings and Reviews for Hell Is for Heroes

See how Hell Is for Heroes is rated across major platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Compare audience scores and critic reviews to understand where Hell Is for Heroes stands among top-rated movies in its genre.


Metacritic

76

Metascore

tbd

User Score

Rotten Tomatoes
review

86%

TOMATOMETER

review

74%

User Score

TMDB

65

%

User Score

Take the Ultimate Hell Is for Heroes Movie Quiz

Challenge your knowledge of Hell Is for Heroes with this fun and interactive movie quiz. Test yourself on key plot points, iconic characters, hidden details, and memorable moments to see how well you really know the film.


Hell Is for Heroes Quiz: Test your knowledge of the classic war film, Hell Is for Heroes, and its intense portrayal of courage and sacrifice during World War II.

In what year is Hell Is for Heroes set?

Full Plot Summary and Ending Explained for Hell Is for Heroes

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Read the complete plot summary of Hell Is for Heroes, including all major events, twists, and the full ending explained in detail. Explore key characters, themes, hidden meanings, and everything you need to understand the story from beginning to end.


In the idyllic town of Montigny, Meurthe-et-Moselle, set in 1944, Sergeant Larkin and his exhausted fellow soldiers are granted a rare moment of reprieve from the harsh realities of warfare. After weeks of relentless fighting, the idea of being rotated back to the States seems like a distant dream. It is amid this hopeful sentiment that Platoon Sergeant Pike encounters a mysterious figure—Private John Reese, played by Steve McQueen—a man whose troubled history is evident by the distinctive M3 submachine gun that accompanies him.

Once a master sergeant, Reese’s rank has been dramatically reduced to private due to a court-martial, leaving him isolated from his comrades. His brooding nature and deep disillusionment render him an outsider while the rest of the soldiers plan for a well-deserved break from the front lines. Captain Loomis, their commanding officer, grows increasingly alarmed at Reese’s unpredictable behavior during this rare lapse in combat, although Pike is steadfast in his belief that Reese still possesses invaluable skills that can be put to use in battle.

As Pike’s concerns become justified, he delivers unsettling news to the squad: their anticipated journey home is off, and they are instead heading back into battle—shattering their dreams of relaxation and family reunion. The 2nd Squad features a colorful ensemble of characters, including Corby, the astute scavenger; Henshaw, a savvy mechanic; Cumberly, the wide-eyed innocent; and Kolinsky, a compassionate family man. Among them is Homer Janeczek, the young Polish refugee who has seamlessly integrated into the squad and created a sense of belonging amidst hardship.

At their new location, the squad scrambles to fortify their defenses, only to discover that they are dangerously exposed due to the rapid withdrawal of the main American forces. Pike must soberly convey the dire circumstances of their situation, accentuating that a simple German reconnaissance mission will soon reveal their vulnerabilities.

In a twist of fate, the arrival of Private First Class James Driscoll (actor not provided), an unsuspecting army company clerk, turns out to be a stroke of luck for Larkin. The clever leader ingeniously utilizes Driscoll’s Jeep, modifying it to imitate a tank by causing it to backfire and create a rumble akin to armored vehicles. This clever ruse, orchestrated by Henshaw (actor not provided), successfully tricks the Germans into believing that a substantial American force is conducting patrols in their territory. Driscoll unwittingly becomes an asset, assisting Corby (actor not provided) and his team as they uncover a hidden microphone left by the Germans in an abandoned pillbox. Larkin cleverly manipulates this device, instructing Driscoll to generate misleading radio communications that further perpetuate the illusion of a robust American presence.

Tragedy strikes when Cumberly (actor not provided) meets an untimely death during a German raid, but Reese demonstrates his bravery by taking down three enemy soldiers in a fierce close-quarters confrontation. Fearing that the surviving Germans may expose their vulnerable state, Reese champions a bold attack on a heavily fortified German pillbox, determined to project the impression that American forces are fully operational. Larkin, growing increasingly anxious about an impending enemy onslaught, seeks out Pike (actor not provided), intending to secure permission for the risky operation. Unfortunately, Pike’s absence proves challenging, compelling Larkin to confront Reese when he learns that Henshaw was persuaded by Reese to head to a supply dump for satchel charges.

The narrative intensifies as tensions explode between Larkin and Reese, culminating in tragedy when an artillery barrage tragically claims Larkin’s life. Undeterred, Reese resolves to proceed without orders, joined by Henshaw (actor not provided) and Kolinsky (actor not provided). As they advance toward enemy lines, the rest of the company begins a return to their position.

The squad’s attack falters dramatically when Henshaw unknowingly activates a concealed S-mine, which not only proves fatal for him but also engulfs the battlefield in chaos. Reese and Kolinsky retreat under the cover of the mortars’ smoke screen, only to witness Kolinsky fall victim to shrapnel, suffering severe injuries that send him screaming for help as medics rush to his side.

Simmering tensions reach a boiling point as Captain Loomis chastises Reese vehemently, threatening to court-martial him after the soon-to-happen American offensive at dawn. Undeterred by Loomis’s threats, Reese and his comrades press forward, enduring heavy gunfire from the German pillbox as they close in on their objective. The battle exacts a steep price, with lives lost at every turn, yet Reese remains steadfast in his resolve to obliterate the fortified stronghold. As Corby provides vital cover fire with a flamethrower, Reese seizes an opportunity to engage the pillbox defenses up close, sustaining grievous injuries in the process.

Despite his wounds, Reese musters a last-ditch effort to grab a satchel charge and hurl it into the pillbox before being struck down by the ensuing explosion. Even as life ebbs away, Reese gathers the strength to retrieve an unexploded satchel charge, crawling back through the pillbox opening to eliminate the entrenched German soldiers. In a thrilling display of determination, Corby follows Pike’s orders and unleashes flames from his flamethrower, igniting a blaze that engulfs the pillbox window as the Americans forge ahead, albeit with heavy losses. The discordant sounds of chaos fill the air, heightened by German artillery targeting the advancing troops, exacting an even greater toll on those fearless enough to charge forward.

Uncover the Details: Timeline, Characters, Themes, and Beyond!

Watch Trailers, Clips & Behind-the-Scenes for Hell Is for Heroes

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Watch official trailers, exclusive clips, cast interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage from Hell Is for Heroes. Dive deeper into the making of the film, its standout moments, and key production insights.


Hell Is for Heroes (1962) Original Trailer [HD]

Cars Featured in Hell Is for Heroes

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Explore all cars featured in Hell Is for Heroes, including their makes, models, scenes they appear in, and their significance to the plot. A must-read for car enthusiasts and movie buffs alike.


Alco

M7 105mm HMC

Chrysler

M4 A3 'Sherman'

Dodge

WC 51

Fisher

M10 3in GMC

GMC

1943

CCKW

Hotchkiss

1942

H39

Pressed

1942

Steel M12 Gun Motor Carriage

White

M3 Halftrack

Willys

1942

MB 'Jeep'

Hell Is for Heroes Themes and Keywords

Discover the central themes, ideas, and keywords that define the movie’s story, tone, and message. Analyze the film’s deeper meanings, genre influences, and recurring concepts.


ncoinfantrymanautomatic gunfireman shot to deathu.s. soldierkilled by landmineamerican soldiermechanicsiegfried linemachine gun firearmy jeeplistening postsignal wireshot to deathburning alivedead bodyminefieldarmy uniformarmy sergeantu.s. army soldierworld war two in francekilled in actionu.s. militarynazi soldieramerican abroaddarknessblackened facedisputedead soldieryear 1944frontlinehand grenadepicketartillery firecreepingu.s. armylonerdemoted soldiercomrade1940sself sacrificesubmachine gunlandmineinfantryalcoholicbunkerdisplaced personmachine gunjeepinsubordination

Hell Is for Heroes Other Names and Titles

Explore the various alternative titles, translations, and other names used for Hell Is for Heroes across different regions and languages. Understand how the film is marketed and recognized worldwide.


Cehennem Savaşçıları L'Enfer est pour les Héros Die ins Gras beißen L'inferno è per gli eroi Comando O Inferno É Para os Heróis גיהנום לגיבורים Адът е за героите Η Κόλαση Είναι για τους Ήρωες Piekło jest dla bohaterów Hősök pokla Ад для героев Et helvede for helte El infierno es para los héroes 突击魔鬼岭 지옥의 영웅들 O Inferno é Para os Heróis 突撃隊 Kuusi urhoa Ett helvete för hjältar Peklo je pro hrdiny Ateş Hattı

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Browse a curated list of movies similar in genre, tone, characters, or story structure. Discover new titles like the one you're watching, perfect for fans of related plots, vibes, or cinematic styles.


Other Names for Hell Is for Heroes

Explore the alternate titles, translations, and working names for Hell Is for Heroes. Learn how the film is known in different regions, languages, and releases, and discover the variations that reflect its cultural reach and marketing choices.


Cehennem Savaşçıları L'Enfer est pour les Héros Die ins Gras beißen L'inferno è per gli eroi Comando O Inferno É Para os Heróis גיהנום לגיבורים Адът е за героите Η Κόλαση Είναι για τους Ήρωες Piekło jest dla bohaterów Hősök pokla Ад для героев Et helvede for helte El infierno es para los héroes 突击魔鬼岭 지옥의 영웅들 O Inferno é Para os Heróis 突撃隊 Kuusi urhoa Ett helvete för hjältar Peklo je pro hrdiny Ateş Hattı

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