Hell to Eternity (1960)

Made a perfect birthday gift!

Decent war movie

Not sure if you want me to write a review on the service I received in ordering this movie, or the movie itself. I'm assumingthe review is on the movie I ordered which was "Hell to Eternity" starring Jeffrey Hunter.I had seen this movie many years prior to my order for the DVD. I especially like this movie because it is based on a true story. The story is about a Chicano by the name of Guy Gabaldon who was raised in Los Angeles by a Japanese family after his mother died sometime in the late 1930's. Shortly after the Pearl Harbor attack in 1941, his adopted Japanese family was takenaway and put into special camps due to what the government thought was a threat to the security of the nation. Guy joins the Marines and ends up on an island called Saipan. Due to his command of the Japanese language which he learned from his adopted family, he was able to single handedly not only round up, but also bring in about 1500 live Japanese prisoners that would either have perished in continued fighting with the marines or caused additional deaths of marines and the Japanese soldiers. Most of the prisoners were either injured, dying, not able to walk or sick from malnutrition. The movie starred Jeffrey Hunter, David Janssen, Vic Damone and a very young George Takai (Mr. Sulu from Star Trek) who played Guy's adopted brother. A very convincing Jessue Hayakawa played the Japanese general who sadly performed harakiri at the end of the film due to Guy's request that the Japanese surrender due to a hopeless situation on the island. I would rate the film as a 3 star showing because of the fine acting and true basis of the story.

There are some movie productions which portray the positive outcome of cross-cultural upbringing for a boy who would have been lost to juvenile delinquency. Here is such a true story that is a tribute to American Society that is not perfect but has the capacity to correct anysocial incongruence. There is a saying about saving one life can save the world. Guy Gabaldon, was a non-Asian boy lost in the streets of East Los Angelos after he lost his parents. Then, a Japanese-American family befriends Guy who learns the Japanese language as well as the universal standard under the Natural Law - the value of any individual human being who is worthy of love and life. Guy's difficult youth prepared him the rugged real-life story he would endure as an American Marine Soldier in the Pacific during World War II. The Japanese were taught to believe suicide was the only option because capture by the Allies was nothing but multiple atrocities. But Guy Gabaldon, a non-Asian could speak their language and grasp their values so that a hand full of Japanese surrendered - then, another. When wounded Japanese were received humane treatment and medical attention - even among American wounded - the word spread. As Guy continuedhis efforts, soon hundreds gave up to live because a young, fighting tough young warrior spoke their language and urged them endure.It is a true fact during World War II in the Pacific, for every 2 Japanese soldiers killed, one American soldier was killed. Guy Gabaldon was awarded the Navy Cross - and the gratitude of the USA. Here is real heroism. Here is a true story. The U.S. Constitution states, "We, the People ..." This statement will take on new meaning and you will receive a good lesson about true Patriotism when this true life productionis in your DVD collection. I have shown this movie to other acquaintances who remarked this is the kind of lessons we should have learned in school. This is real courage, sacrifice and honor.

The Japs fought as hard as they did because their leaders told them that Americans loved killingprisoners and eating children and women. This canard was broadcast to people in SE Asia in 1960sand many people in 'The boonies' believed it.So much misunderstanding. Thank God for Guy.

Saw this on my TV when I was a kid and really wanted to have it to enjoy it today whenever I wanted to .I really enjoy the lead actor Jeffery hunter , he was basically the 1st captain kirk before William Shatner, he wanted to do movies instead of a TV series, so when he left it opened it up for Shatner, sadly hunter died much to young .

Really enjoyed this movie. Based on fact, but embellished somewhat. I have watched this many times since I first saw it on t.v. when I was a young man.

Based on a true story. I’m sure that some of the story told in the movie took some liberties, but still a fine movie.Plus! Jeffrey Hunter will always be super cool. And I like black and white movies.