Hail the Conquering Hero: Film Review
2007-03-14 02:30 PM | Posted by Tejvan Pettinger | Permanent Link | DVD reviews
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Hail the Conquering Hero
"Hail the Conquering Hero" is a unique and fast moving tale of an unlikely Marine made hero under false pretences.
Woodrow is invalided from the Marines before he ever sees action. He is desolate at not being able to live up to the high ideals of his father, who was a decorated hero in the previous war. Feeling down on his look he bumps into some Marines who have lost all their money. Cheered by Woodrow’s charity they decide to befriend him and then proceed to cajole him into returning to his home town, with some fabricated excuses.
Woodrow really hates the idea of pretending to be a wounded hero but things seem to be out of his hands as the group of Marines push him out on to the station with a uniform and medals. The Marines are a great assortment of individuals led by the impressive Cpl. Candida (played by Jimmie Dundee). The town’s people (who have not seen any action in the war) love the idea of having a local hero to idolise. They pull out all the stops to welcome him back. They are so enamoured of Woodrow (and the tales of the Marines) they decide they want him to run for office.
This is one of Preston Sturgess’ best films. The dialogue is witty, sharp and satirical. The pace is unrelenting and at times you really marvel at the fluidity and originality of the conversation and characterisations. The film is delightfully refreshing with a unique perspective on the idea of hero. In the film there is also an underlining zaniness, which borders on subversive ness; but at the same time the film is unexpectedly moving and inspiring. Yet even in its inspiring moments the film never slips into sentimentality but retains its quirky, quick sense of humour.
If you are looking for films beyond the average Hollywood fare, you don’t need to look much further than “Hail the Conquering hero” one of the jewels in the crown of master film maker Preston Sturgess.
Hail the Conquering Hero: DVD
Hail the Conquering Hero DVD at Amazon.com
Hail the Conquering Hero DVD at Amazon.co.uk
Hail the Conquering Hero at IMDb
