Battle Hymn (1956)
Theatrical Release Information | See Details About All Versions
Battle Hymn was inspired by the true story of American minister Dean Hess, played here with rare sensitivity by Rock Hudson. A bomber pilot during World War II, Hess inadvertently releases a bomb which destroys a German orphanage. Tortured by guilt, Hess relocates in Korea after the war to offer his services as a missionary. Combining the best elements of Christianity and Eastern spiritualism, Hess establishes a large home for orphans. The preacher's efforts are threatened when the Korean "police action" breaks out in 1950. Battle Hymn was one of several collaborations between Rock Hudson and director Douglas Sirk--though Sirk felt that Robert Stack would have been better suited to the role of Rev. Hess. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Theatrical Feature Running Time:
- 109 mins
Complete Cast:
- Rock Hudson - Col. Dean Hess
- Dan Duryea - Sgt. Herman
- Martha Hyer - Mary Hess
- Alan Hale, Jr. - Mess Sergeant
- Richard Loo - Gen. Kim
- Philip Ahn - Old Man
- Simon Scott - Lt. Hollis
- Carleton Young - Maj. Harrison
- William Hudson - Navy Lieutenant
- Anna Kashfi - En Soon Yang
- Don DeFore - Capt. Skidmore
- Jock Mahoney - Maj. Moore
- Carl Benton Reid - Deacon Edwards
- James Edwards - Lt. Maples
- Bartlett Robinson - Gen. Timberidge
- Teru Shimada - Korean Official
- Art Millan - Capt. Reardon
- Paul Sorenson - Sentry
- Director(s):
- Douglas Sirk
- Writer(s):
- Charles Grayson, Vincent B. Evans
- Producer(s):
- Ross Hunter
- Closed Captioning:
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- Subtitles:
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- 1956 - Golden Globe - Motion Picture Promoting International Understanding
- 1956 - Hollywood Foreign Press Association - Motion Picture Promoting International Understanding
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