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Too Late the Hero

Too Late the Hero

Drama · Action · War · 1970

A WWII film set on a Pacific island. Japanese and allied forces occupy different parts of the island. When a group of British soldiers are sent on a mission behind enemy lines, things don't go exactly to plan. This film differs in that some of the 'heroes' are very reluctant, but they come good when they are pursued by the Japanese who are determined to prevent them returning to base.

Movie details

Too Late the Hero

“War. It's a dying business.”

1970 Drama · Action · War 2h 25m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

6.4 / 10

Community rating

A WWII film set on a Pacific island. Japanese and allied forces occupy different parts of the island. When a group of British soldiers are sent on a mission behind enemy lines, things don't go exactly to plan. This film differs in that some of the 'heroes' are very reluctant, but they come good when they are pursued by the Japanese who are determined to prevent them returning to base.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over Too Late the Hero?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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Play Dirty

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War · 1969

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The Dirty Dozen

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Action · 1967

12 American military prisoners in World War II are ordered to infiltrate a well-guarded enemy château and kill the Nazi officers vacationing there. The soldiers, most of whom are facing death sentences for a variety of violent crimes, agree to the mission and the possible commuting of their sentences.

Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Robert Aldrich

Written by

Robert Sherman · Robert Aldrich · Lukas Heller

Michael Caine

Michael Caine

Pvt. Tosh Hearne

Cliff Robertson

Cliff Robertson

Lt. Sam Lawson

Ian Bannen

Ian Bannen

Pvt. Jock Thornton

Harry Andrews

Harry Andrews

Col. Thompson

Denholm Elliott

Denholm Elliott

Captain Hornsby

Ronald Fraser

Ronald Fraser

Private Campbell

Lance Percival

Lance Percival

Cpl. McLean

Court is in session

Put Too Late the Hero on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Prestige Tourist

“Momentum is a formal choice.”

The velocity sharpens instinct and tension, making every beat land before self-importance can settle in.

The prosecution The Cool Ironist

“Speed as an alibi.”

The film races past its weak spots and hopes acceleration will keep the audience from inspecting the evidence.