It's rare that I like the idea of a remake. Normally, the original film is MUCH better and remakes almost never stand up to the original movie. However, "Hell to Eternity" has an exceptional story--and with only a few small but obvious changes, it could be a great story...because it's true.This film is about a Marine named Guy Gabaldon. He was a Mexican-American who was orphaned and subsequently taken in by a nice Japanese-American family in the 1930s. When WWII came, his adoptive family was placed in an internment camp and two of his new adoptive brothers went to fight in Europe for the Army. Gabaldon volunteered to fight with the Marines in the Pacific and became an interpreter, since he could speak Japanese fluently. On the island of Saipan, like so many other islands occupied by the Japanese, folks committed suicide in huge numbers to avoid being captured by the Americans--a waste and a serious human tragedy. However, Gabaldon was able to use his skills to save many lives--making him a very unusual hero to say the least! As I said, there were a few problems with the film. First, although the movie was VERY progressive in dealing with anti-Japanese prejudices, the film was also prejudiced in its own way--having the VERY non-Hispanic Jeffery Hunter play the lead. Yes, his acting here was fine--but it also whitewashes the contributions of a minority member--and odd omission to say the least. Second, the middle portion of the film SERIOUSLY loses momentum and the entire stripper portion is very inappropriate. I am NOT anti-sex--but the this actually distracted the viewer and much of this portion is pretty dull. But, with these changes, it is a wonderful story! Well worth seeing.

This is an overlong and corny drama about a white American raised by a Japanese family who ends up fighting the Japanese in WWII. The scenes have a tendency to go on too long, particularly the battle scenes. Although based on a true story, it seems situations are contrived just to take advantage of the fact that a Japanese-speaking American is present among the U.S. troops. Karlson has made some interesting films, but this is not one of them. The cast includes likable actors but the performances range from mediocre to bad. Hayakawa gives what appears to be an impassioned speech to his troops, but unfortunately it's in Japanese and there are no subtitles.

Outstanding war film. Based on a true story from WW II, of Guy Gabaldon, who single-handedly brought in more than 1,500 Japanese prisoners and civilians in the Battle of Saipan in 1944. Jeffrey Hunter and the entire cast are excellent. The movie is excellent also because of the portrayal of emotional conflict of Gabaldon. He was raised by Japanese Americans as an orphan, then had to fight and kill Japanese who killed his Army buddies. The film is a rare one in also showing the concern and care by the American combatants for the innocent Japanese civilians. And, it portrays well the conflicted psyche of the grunt Japanese soldiers and civilians who had been told by their leaders that the Americans were cruel barbarians, and that the Japanese must fight to the death or kill themselves and their children rather than surrender.Wikipedia has an interesting piece on Guy Gabaldon. It's always good to read some biographical info about a real person from the movies. It sounds as though he may have been a little more street tough than portrayed by Jeffrey Hunter. And, that he was a little more threatening of the Japanese soldiers holed up in caves. But, Hunter gives a great portrayal of the hero. Gabaldon must have liked the job Hunter did since he named one of his sons, Jeffrey Hunter Gabaldon. The only distraction in this great film is the night out the three main characters have with women before they go into combat. The heavy drinking and implied lovemaking probably represented what some GIs, Marines and Sailors did before going to war, but it surely didn't represent most. Few in the Army had such a chance -- once you were in battle you were there for the duration. Some units may have been moved back into reserves in Europe or the Pacific, but there sure weren't bars and girls for all-night parties there. So, this piece adds nothing to the film whatsoever. But, the main film and story, with excellent acting and action overrides any detraction to the film by this usual Hollywood gratuitousness.

I have had the privilege of viewing this movie on numerous occasions. Back when I was growing up, war movies, such as this, were shown on TV quite often. This movie was one of the many small bits and pieces of how I view certain events and human behaviors that make up my personality (in a positive way). Fortunately, even thought the movie takes some liberties with the truth about the life of Guy and his life, the more important moral messages about war, human emotions, race relations and the Japanese Internment controversies more than make up for these inaccuracies. For whatever reasons, this movie, I believe, has allowed me to become a more accepting/open human being of other cultures and races. It taught me family values and the frailty of the human condition (not to mention the horrors of war). Given this was a "war movie", it is a credit to the director, actors and writers that I was affected in other more important areas of my makeup than that of just history and/or war. I salute this endeavor. I highly rate it. Particularly for those who have problems with the issues I mentioned above. May Guy rest in peace (1926 - 2006)