Watch When Hell Broke Loose
- Approved
- 1958
- 1 hr 18 min
-
5.6 (334)
When Hell Broke Loose is a black and white war film which was directed by Kenneth G. Crane and made its debut in 1958. The film features Charles Bronson as Eddie, a U.S. Army sergeant, who has a grudge against Nazis due to his personal experience with them. Richard Jaeckel portrays Corporal Joe, Eddie's loyal friend who always stands by him, while Violet Rensing plays the role of Maria, a young French woman who falls in love with Eddie.
The film begins with Eddie and Joe, who are part of the Allied forces, parachuting behind enemy lines in France during World War II. Their mission is to rescue a group of American soldiers who have been captured by the Germans. Along the way, they meet Maria, who is hiding from the Germans in a barn. Eddie and Joe help her escape and they take her along with them on their mission. During the journey, Maria and Eddie fall in love.
Eddie and Joe reach the prison camp and start their operation to rescue the American soldiers. They manage to free them and begin their journey back to the American lines. However, their journey is not easy as they are hunted down by the Germans who have been tipped off about their mission. The group of soldiers also includes an African-American soldier, which the Germans consider a disgrace and therefore, they are after him as well.
When Eddie discovers that the Germans are after the African-American soldier, he becomes even more determined to get the group of soldiers to safety. He has a personal reason for despising the Nazis, which is revealed later on in the film. As Eddie's past is revealed, the audience is given insight into his motivation for fighting the Nazis and to protect the African-American soldier.
The film is full of action, and there are some intense combat scenes. Eddie's determination to fight the Germans and get his group of soldiers to safety is commendable, and he puts his life on the line several times to ensure their safety. Joe is also an excellent representation of true friendship and loyalty, and he is always there to back up Eddie in his fight against the Germans.
When Hell Broke Loose also has a romantic storyline between Eddie and Maria, which adds a softer element to the film. The love story between the two characters is well written and provides a contrast to the intense and violent scenes throughout the film. The interaction between Eddie and Maria is engaging, and the actors do a great job portraying their chemistry on screen.
The film's production design is also commendable. The sets and costumes look very realistic, accurately depicting the time and place where the story takes place. The cinematography is also noteworthy, with several shots providing a clear view of the battlefield, and the action scenes are excellently choreographed.
In conclusion, When Hell Broke Loose is a well-made war film. The director, Kenneth G. Crane, did an excellent job of capturing the audience's attention with an engaging storyline, and the acting by the main cast, especially Charles Bronson, Richard Jaeckel, and Violet Rensing, is commendable. The film is worth watching if you are a fan of the war genre, and if you are interested in seeing Charles Bronson in one of his earlier roles.