DVDs in Review

To Hell and Back

Title: To Hell and Back (1955)

Release date: November 30 2009

Certificate: PG

Format: DVD

DVD RRP: £15.99

Rating: 4/5

War films are forever being torn apart for their authenticity. Such intense subjects often require equally intense attention to detail to bring them to life accurately, as its these details that often propel the narrative - the smallest of errors in war can have you killed.

What makes 'To Hell and Back' so powerful isn't that it's the true story behind the most decorated soldier of the second world war, Audie Murphy - (certainly one of the most brave heroes in battle history) - but because he's played by himself.

It's not a particularly gung-ho depiction of the hero, nor is it overly glossy but looking back after more than half a century, 'To Hell and Back' oddly riveting and welcoming despite being incredibly dated and quite a cheesy watch on the whole.

The moments where Murphy mounts a burning tank to man the machine gun and save his platoon is rousing stuff but as a war film in itself, it does fall short of the introspection of films like 'Platoon' or the examination of both sides ala 'The Young Lions' and 'Tora! Tora! Tora!', nor is it even  a trigger happy easy watch like 'Von Ryan's Express'.

But this isn't about filmmaking style at all - the most important component is the casting of Murphy himself. Certainly not a bad actor, it isn't even really the performance or the stilted writing that wins him over - it's that he's himself.

It's a fascinating watch and a fitting tribute to an unmistakably worthy man's own stirring autobiography even if the direction is decisively pedestrian in approach (the photography, however, is blisteringly crisp). 

All in all, 'To Hell and Back' isn't as wrenching as its title would suggest but it's a brilliant piece of work that (somewhat surprisingly) was Universal Pictures' highest grossing film for 20 years until 'Jaws' came about. Having the DVD back is a welcome addition to any war film fan's catalogue.