War Hunt 1962

Near the end of the Korean War, a replacement, Pvt. Roy Loomis Robert Redford, is assigned to an infantry company on the front line. One night, Loomis notices a soldier leaving camp in dark clothing and face paint. He learns that this is Pvt. Raymond Endore John Saxon, who routinely infiltrates enemy lines. The company’s commander, Captain Wallace Pratt Charles Aidman, allows Endore to act independently because, after many of these nighttime excursions, he has returned with useful information. However, Endore is also knifing to death enemy soldiers and, as Loomis himself witnesses during a night patrol, conducts an odd circle-ritual around each of his murdered victims. The other men in the company steer clear of Endore and warn Loomis, who is prone to asking probing questions, not to “mess with that guy”.

“mess with that guy”

Endore’s only friend is a Korean orphan, nicknamed Charlie Tommy Matsuda, with whom Loomis tries to cultivate a friendship. He suggests to Endore that the boy should be placed in an orphanage where he will at least have other children around and some kind of basic lifestyle. This brings Loomis into conflict with a demonstrably psychotic Endore, who plans to remain in Korea after the war ends, and to keep Charlie with him.

The tension comes to a head when the armistice occurs. Endore, in direct defiance of company orders, once more dons dark clothing and takes Charlie to cross enemy lines. Loomis, alarmed that this could impact the armistice, approaches his company sergeant Van Horn Sydney Pollack about Endore. The two soldiers are forced to bring Endore’s actions to Pratt’s attention. Pratt, realizing he has let Endore have too free a hand, asks the men for volunteers to bring Endore back, but only Loomis and Van Horn agree to join him.

The group finally locates Endore, who has taken Charlie behind enemy lines and resists Pratt’s orders to return. Endore grabs a knife and attempts to attack Pratt after beating up Van Horn. Despite Loomis’ pleas, Pratt shoots the deranged Endore and Charlie flees in the ensuing confusion. The resolution suggests that Charlie, having been influenced and given lessons in killing by Endore, will grow into the same kind of man.