Field of Honor (1986)
Korea 1951: After a Chinese attack Dutch mercenary sergeant De Koning is left alone by his army. While trying to survive, he meets a woman who is attempting to save her little brother. The image of the boy in shock changes him.
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Truly Dreadful Film
Crappy film
a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.
The acting in this movie is really good.
but McGill's character wasn't the guy they were looking for. If this movie was supposed to show how his Sgt Sire went from drunken violent lout to caring protective father figure, it fails. Sire is, in my opinion, responsible for the near total destruction of his platoon due to his planning a drunken party at the front lines, during which Red Chinese troops infiltrate and ambush them. even the small amount of redemption he awards himself by saving a Korean girl whom he'd pressed into prostitution earlier, along with her young brother shocked into silence, isn't enough to make up for having to execute his own friend burned horribly in the attack. there had to be a better story than this to exemplify the exploits of the Dutch Battalion.
This film was actually done in the ROK, and is very authentic. The equipment, uniforms, and other gear of all the combatants is well researched. The tribute to the Dutch by making this movie is much deserved. I find no problem with either the action, or the ability of the actors. It is believable to the point of being gruesome. Since I myself have served as a soldier in Korea near the DMZ, I know what I am talking about. This film deserved a better rap than which it has received. I have a bit of difficulty with the part where the young Koreans are eating dog meat, but I suppose the locals find it tasty with boiled rice, and kimchee. The Field of Honor is much more real than the widely acclaimed Gregory Peck film "Porkchop Hill". I suppose one would have to have been in the ROK to appreciate what was done with this movie.
This must be one of the worst movies ever made. For those accustomed to Dutch TV series for children: you will be delighted to know that half the cast of 70s classic "TiTaTovenaar" makes some sort of (cameo) appearance in this waste of celluloid.
"Field of Honor" is a movie with a great point: although it's a war story, it's a movie about how a soldier could feel lonely, tired of so many slaughter and anxious for love and compassion. In this way, "Field of Honor" is a remarkable movie and the character played with subdued mood by Everett Mc Gill deserves to be remind as one of the most strong and convincing war/phisochology type already done. If you not pick this film up until now, do it. You'll see a real and painful story but a very sensitive one too. (3 stars of 5 = rating).