Clint Eastwood takes a revisionist approach to his
tough-guy persona once again in HEARTBREAK RIDGE. As he
had done in TIGHTROPE and PALE RIDER, and as he would do
even more memorably in UNFORGIVEN, Eastwood probes beneath
the surface of his prototypical character, a man who feels
most at ease amid violence.
HEARTBREAK RIDGE is a deft blend of service comedy, action
film, and, most surprisingly, a genuine adult love story,
as Sergeant Highway tries, with touching earnestness, to
win back the affections of his ex-wife (Marsha Mason),
after his devotion to the corps has kept them apart for
too many lonely years. Meanwhile, he has to whip his
inexperienced, undisciplined troops into shape. Highway
often runs afoul of his own commanders, who resent his
maverick ways and feel threatened by his combat experience
and his chest full of medals. He gets the chance to prove
his effectiveness yet again when his men are unexpectedly
called to battle in Grenada. Like many of Eastwood's
films, HEARTBREAK RIDGE is an underrated, solidly
entertaining work.
Clint Eastwood plays tough-as-nails marine sergeant Tom
Highway in HEARTBREAK RIDGE. Highway is tough, but he's
got his work cut out for him when he's assigned to whip a
platoon of unruly new Marines into shape. He faces his
own, often humorous battles with his ex-wife (Marsha
Mason) and with his by-the-book commanding officers but
still manages to teach his troops discipline and combat
tactics. Eventually, their feelings toward him shift from
resentment to respect, and all his lessons are put to use
when the Grenada invasion unexpectedly brings the platoon
into battle.
This film was primarily shot at Camp Pendleton,
California. The Grenada segments were shot in Puerto Rico.
There's a French documentary, CREVECOEUR, about the Korean
War engagement the film is named for.
Mario Van Peebles is the son of filmmaker Melvin Van
Peebles, who started the 1970s blaxploitation wave with
his SWEET SWEETBACK'S BADASSSSS SONG, which marked Mario's
acting debut.
This was the first of many Clint Eastwood films on which
Jack N. Green was the director of photography. He had
previously worked as a camera operator on FIREFOX,
HONKYTONK MAN, and SUDDEN IMPACT.
"The Marines are looking for a few good men.
Unfortunately, you ain't it."--Tom Highway (Clint
Eastwood) sizes up his troops.
"We're friends, but don't expect us to swap spit in the
shower."--Gunnery Sergeant Tom Highway to his troops!! |
- Attractive Retail Box
-
Genre: Action/Adventure, Action, Drama, War
- Rating:
14A
(Canadian Home Video Rating)
- Starring:
Clint Eastwood, Moses Gunn, Eileen Heckart,
Marsha Mason, Everett McGill, Arlen Dean Snyder, Bo
Svenson, Mario Van Peebles
- Directed By:
Clint Eastwood
- Release Information:
-
Studio: Warner Home Video
- Theatrical Release Date: December 5, 1986
- DVD Release Date: September 14, 2004
- Run Time: 130 minutes
- Production Company: Warner Home
Video
- Package Type: Snap Case
- Clint Eastwood Collection
- Dual-Layer Format
- DVD Features:
- Encoding:
Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only).
This DVD will probably NOT be viewable in other
countries.
- Aspect Ratio(s):
- Widescreen anamorphic - 1.85:1
- Available Audio Tracks:
- English (Dolby Digital 5.1
Surround)
- French (Dolby
Digital Mono)
- Languages:
English and French
- Available Subtitles:
English, French, Spanish, Portuguese and Japanese
- Closed Captioned:
Yes
- Bonus Features:
-
All-New Digital Transfer
- Soundtrack Remastered
in Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
- Cast/Screenwriter
Film Highlights
- Theatrical Trailer
- Interactive Features:
- Scene Access
- Interactive Menus
|