Watch War Hunt
- Approved
- 1962
- 1 hr 23 min
-
6.2 (1,146)
War Hunt is a 1962 war film directed by Denis Sanders, starring John Saxon, Charles Aidman, and Sydney Pollack. The film is set during the Korean War and revolves around a young soldier named Private Roy Loomis (John Saxon), who is assigned to the intelligence unit of a U.S. Army company. Loomis is taken under the wing of Sergeant Welsh (Charles Aidman), an experienced soldier and his newly assigned superior.
The story begins with Loomis arriving at the company's basecamp and being introduced to Sergeant Welsh. Welsh recognizes Loomis as a sharpshooter and quickly assigns him the role of scout for the intelligence unit. Loomis is initially thrilled to be given such an important role, but he soon discovers that his mission is to find and eliminate any North Korean infiltrators in the area.
As the story progresses, Loomis becomes increasingly disillusioned with the war and the tactics employed by his own side. He witnesses the needless killing of civilians, the brutal mistreatment of prisoners, and the senseless targeting of non-hostile individuals.
Meanwhile, Sergeant Welsh begins to unravel mentally due to the stresses of war. He becomes obsessed with the idea of earning a battlefield commission and rising through the ranks, despite the fact that such an achievement is unlikely in his current role. His mental state worsens when he realizes that Loomis is no longer willing to blindly follow him and is questioning his orders.
The tension between Loomis and Welsh comes to a head when they are ordered to capture a North Korean soldier for interrogation. Loomis is tasked with luring the soldier out of hiding, while Welsh and his men wait to capture him. However, Loomis becomes sympathetic to the wounded soldier and refuses to carry out the order. This results in a confrontation between Loomis and Welsh, leading to a tragic conclusion.
The film is notable for its depiction of the Korean War and the psychological toll it took on soldiers. It explores themes of morality, loyalty, and the destructive effects of warfare on individuals who often have little control over their circumstances. The performances by Saxon, Aidman, and Pollack are all excellent, with Saxon's portrayal of the conflicted and disillusioned Loomis being particularly impressive.
War Hunt is a thought-provoking and powerful film that offers a unique look at the Korean War and the human cost of conflict. Its message is as relevant today as it was when the film was first released, and it remains a must-see for fans of war movies and thoughtful cinema.
War Hunt is a 1962 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 23 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.2.