Scores of movies have been made about World War II. Hell to Eternity stands apart from many. It is about war and its effect on men. The stand alone aspect is its central character, Guy Gabaldon, played by Jeffrey Hunter. He was an Hispanic male raised by a Japanese family, after his mother dies. He is very loved, especially by the matriarch, Sono, (Michi Kobi). Guy also develops a close relationship with his siblings, particularly his brother, George Une, (George Takei).
Guy seems to have it all, loving family, good job and hanging out at Southern California malt shops. His world comes crashing down on that horrible day, December 7th, 1941. His family, because they are Japanese and living on the west coast are sent away. This is due to an executive order. They lose their home and are sent to a camp. Guy goes to visit them. He speaks to his mother. She is saddened, but tells Guy everything will be alright. This nearly brings out the anger Guy felt as a boy, before the Une family gave him a home.
It is after this, that Guy joins the marines. He becomes friends with Sgt. Bill Hazen, (David Janssen) and Cpl. Pete Lewis. The three meet three women at a club, and go back to their apartment. After a few drinks, one woman, a professional stripper, performs her act. Another woman, Sheila Lincoln, (Patricia Owens), says she can do better. She impresses Guy and the two connect. The strip teases were risqué for 1960, and were heavily edited. This scene of marines enjoying themselves, helps set up the next act.
There is a great piece of editing in this movie. It occurs right after Sheila Lincoln and Guy embrace. There is a bright flash, and the scene shifts to the war in the pacific. It shows the three comrades in arms, fighting in Saipan. There is a moment when guy is hesitant to fight. He looks at the enemy, and thinks of his brothers, fighting in Europe. Sgt. Hazen reminds him of the difference and what the Japanese are doing to American soldiers. This speech gives Guy the will to fight. He does this through the rest of the film. This gains him deep respect, and earned him the silver star and the navy cross.
Jeffrey Hunter was a solid actor, portraying roles from cowboys to Jesus in King of Kings. He also did the pilot for Star Trek, portraying Captain Christopher Pike. His role as the Guy Gabaldon, shows acting skills. This type of role would be hard for anyone, but Hunter gives the full show of conflicted emotions. This is especially true in scenes with Michi Kobi. He also gives a gripping emotional performance, when it comes to war’s tragedy.
David Janssen had a long list of movies, before Hell to Eternity. He does well as the Sgt. mixing work and pleasure, by drinking with Guy and Cpl. Pete Lewis. He brings a needed toughness to his role. He isn’t quite John Wayne as Sgt. Stryker, but gives credibility to his role. He later gained worldwide fame on The Fugitive. This hard working actor’s life was cut short at age 49.
George Takei was just getting into acting, when he played George Une, Guy’s brother. He doesn’t have a lot of screen time, but does ok. A few years after this movie, he was cast as Sulu, in the original Star Trek series. He appeared in a few movies, most notably in The Green Berets, with larger than life star, John Wayne. His career has mainly been limited to tv. He did appear in the Star Trek movies with its star William Shatner. These movies helped boost his career somewhat. He bears a grudge against his costar, for an inexplicable reason. That is too bad. Takei did go on to write a successful stage version of the interment of American citizens, of Japanese descent. He unfortunately lived through this as a small child.
The movie, Hell to Eternity should be acknowledged for what it is. It is a movie about a war hero, but tackles a sensitive and painful subject. That was the interment of several thousand Americans, who were looked upon in a different light, because of the war. That perspective is shown in a diner scene, involving Guy and a Japanese woman his brother, George likes. He has taken her there to try to persuade her to go out with his brother. The diners, upon learning about the attack on Pearl Harbor, become openly hostile toward her. This perspective on the war, was not shown up to this point. Credit should be given to the writers,Phil Karlson and the producers for bringing this viewpoint to the screen. It also is a bold new take on an American hero, which also deserves praise. This movie belongs in the category of a groundbreaking war movie.