LeonLouisRicci Extremely Low-Budget War Film about the very Last Days of the Korean "War". It is a Thoughtful, well Researched Little Movie that Introduced Robert Redford to the Big Screen and has a Few other Notables...Director Sydney Pollack before He Changed Occupations as a Sgt., Tom Skerritt (also a debut), and John Saxon in a Show Stealing Role as a Psychopath who is Completely Divorced from Reality.Saxon and Redford are the Leads Playing Polar Opposites. Redford as a Naive Rookie and Saxon as an Insane Killer Relishing His Environment.There are some Deep Subplots for such a Short Movie and the Look is like Good Television of the Era with Echoes of "Twilight Zone" and foreshadowing "Combat".At the Center of the Movie is an Orphaned Korean Child "adopted" by the Maniac Saxon and Redford doing what He can to Rescue the Kid before it is Too Late. The Politics and Intricacies of the War and its Negotiation Table Necessities are included and some Dialog about the Method of this "Police Action" Madness.A Strong Cast and Good Camera Work along with a Haunting Score and Script, make this a "Sleeper" for War Movie and Anti-War Movie Fans. A Film that is virtually Unknown but is Definitely one that's Worth a Watch. Not only for its soon to be "Star Power" but for its Raw and Real Characters and its Offbeat but very Realistic Tone.

Coventry This ultra low-budgeted and virtually unknown war/drama movie is probably the most interesting from an "acting" point-of-view. "War Hunt" remarkably – but I suppose coincidentally as well – features the big screen debuts of no less than three names that are nowadays considered hugely famous and acclaimed. Director Sydney Pollack (who sadly passed away earlier this year) and charismatic star Tom Skerritt both appear in small yet memorable roles, while Robert Redford (later star of classics such as "The Sting" and "All The President's Men") debuts in the fairly complex leading role of idealistic soldier in the center of a senseless Korean war zone. And yet, in spite of the more appealing great names, it's unquestionably the still underrated veteran actor John Saxon who steals the show. Even more so, Saxon owns the film and he's genuinely petrifying as the introvert soldier who appears to use the Korean War to give rein to his murderous and psychotic tendencies. When the young and inexperienced private Loomis arrives at the front during the last stage of the Korean War, his fellow soldiers immediately warn him to stay out of the way of Private Endore and his protégé Charlie; a local orphan kid. Endore is a brilliant soldier and of immeasurably value to the American army, but that is mainly because he single-handedly decreases the number of Korean soldiers by deliberately sneaking behind enemy lines at night. Private Loomis protests against this, especially because he wants to protect the young Charlie from his dangerous colleague. The rudimentary plot of "War Hunt" is actually pretty genius, since it's the first and only film – at least, as far as I know – that openly suggests signing up for the army is the ideal method for psychopathic killers to get away with their incontrollable urges and even get honored for them! Private Endore is anti-social, impolite and without manners but his superiors never cease to cover from him because he's such a powerful weapon against the enemy. The atmosphere of "War Hunt" is aptly depressing and dark, with some really brilliant musical choices and bleak photography. Presumably due to the absence of financial means, there's a severe shortage of action scenes and hence you'll have to struggle yourself through a handful of seemingly dull and redundant moments. Still, if it's not necessarily boisterous gunfire and violent battles in the trenches you're searching for, I would definitely recommend "War Hunt", if it were only for John Saxon's stupendous performance. His menacingly painted faced, the desolate star in his eyes and his completely unpredictable and impulsive personality make this one of the greatest performances I've ever seen in a low-keyed war epic.

CineTigers TCM included War Hunt in their Memorial Day festival (maybe a little inappropriate for a tribute to our servicemen?). I found the subject, as a screen play, intriguing, but not the delivery. To me, it would have been better to read, hear it as a reading, or see it in community theater.The movie resembled an episode of "Combat!", for props and scenery, film quality, and acting. And frankly, the "before they were famous" actors shown here had a reason for their anonymity, they still lacked confidence and training and delivered what was at best a TV movie quality product, in my opinion.Contrast this to the realistic acting and tight cutting in "Hell is for Heroes". Again, to me a great concept, a good screenplay, but "movie of the week" product.

TheVid This character study remains one of the best intimate views of conflict ever filmed, and features Robert Redford's first film appearance. There's also a major appearance by actor Sydney Pollack, before he made is mark as a major director. It's starkly made, grim, and engaging, without any of the jingoism and/or sentimentality applied to most older and recent Hollywood product. The moody score was provided by jazz composer Bud Shank. Nice.