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Pork Chop Hill

Play trailer Poster for Pork Chop Hill 1959 1h 37m War Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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88% Tomatometer 8 Reviews 73% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
Because final peace negotiations are bogged down in political maneuvering, U.S. soldiers, led by Lt. Joe Clemons (Gregory Peck), are forced to assault entrenched Chinese troops. The site of battle is Pork Chop Hill, a daunting, desolate climb that gives the communist forces a clear advantage. Clash after deadly clash wears down the morale and readiness of Clemons' men, and when they ask for backup, command is neither willing to send reinforcements nor authorize a retreat.
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Pork Chop Hill

Critics Reviews

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Matt Brunson Film Frenzy May 28, 2025
3/4
A grim reminder of the absurdity of war, the arrogance of military leaders, and the expendability of the common soldier. Go to Full Review Christopher Lloyd The Film Yap May 1, 2023
4/5
A gritty and surprisingly raw war film that shows the heroism and anguish of American soldiers in equal portions, not to mention rank military incompetence. Go to Full Review Clyde Gilmour Maclean's Magazine Nov 14, 2019
Korea just before the peace treaty is vividly re-created in this stark and sombre foxhole drama directed by Lewis Milestone. Go to Full Review Isabel Quigly The Spectator Jul 16, 2018
Corny characterisation makes it a bore; the makers' attitude makes it a puzzle. Go to Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews Jul 18, 2007
A-
Told in a hard-nosed style. Go to Full Review Steve Crum Dispatch-Tribune Newspapers Feb 20, 2007
5/5
Gritty war, actually anti-war, movie directed by Lewis Milestone of "All Quiet on the Western Front" fame. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Neil P @RT30842889 Nov 28, 2025 Great war film about the battle for a hill in Korea. The contrast is between the treachery of politics in war and the bravery of the soldiers who have to pay the price. Gregory Peck is very Gregory Peck-like in this. See more Andy F @RT81936104 Aug 18, 2024 A stunning, brutally realised and all too rare film about the Korean war. See more Steve D @RT35616104 Jul 13, 2023 Not enough focus on character to really hit. See more CodyZamboni @CodyZamboni May 29, 2023 One of best war movies, and one of the best anti war movies It doesn't glamorize battle. It shows the futility and is much a battle of military brass egos with no regard to the men who fight. Gritty, hard core carnage from the foxhole point of view. Movie is virtually non stop ground level action, wih almost no musical score. See more Apr 8, 2022 I was stationed along the Korean DMZ at a listening post with a bird's eye view of Pork Chop Hill back in the 70's. I heard about the movie but never had an inclination to see it, if I want to see violence I'll watch the nightly news. But I thought of it recently after what has been going on in Ukraine. So I figured what the heck, it will distract me from the news. It is definitely not on my favorites list. I found Gregory Peck's character to be annoying. He reminded me of the gung ho officers in Vietnam who used to get fragged. And I found it too one sided, I would have liked to see more from the Chinese perspective. However the Chinese loudspeaker announcer could be interesting, and I enjoyed some of the jokes (but I'll warn you my kids say I have a medical condition called 'Dad Humor'). See more delysid d @RT67044741 Dec 29, 2021 this is one of the greatest old black and white war movies. the lack of color is important because the war looks way more bleak that way. several other great movies in this mould are paths of glory and war hunt See more Read all reviews
Pork Chop Hill

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Cast & Crew

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Lewis Milestone

Director

Gregory Peck

Lt. Joe Clemons

Harry Guardino

Pvt. Forstman

Rip Torn

Lt. Walter Russel

George Peppard

Cpl. Chuck Fedderson

Carl Benton Reid

American Admiral at Peace Conference

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Pork Chop Hill

Pork Chop Hill (1959) Pork Chop Hill (1959) Pork Chop Hill (1959) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Because final peace negotiations are bogged down in political maneuvering, U.S. soldiers, led by Lt. Joe Clemons (Gregory Peck), are forced to assault entrenched Chinese troops. The site of battle is Pork Chop Hill, a daunting, desolate climb that gives the communist forces a clear advantage. Clash after deadly clash wears down the morale and readiness of Clemons' men, and when they ask for backup, command is neither willing to send reinforcements nor authorize a retreat.
Director
Lewis Milestone
Producer
Sy Bartlett
Screenwriter
James R. Webb, S.L.A. Marshall
Production Co
United Artists
Genre
War, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
May 29, 1959, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 16, 2008
Runtime
1h 37m
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