Hell Is for Heroes (1962)

Pfc. James E. Driscoll: But Sergeant, you don't understand. I was sent to clerk-typist school. That's all I've ever done in the army was type!
Sgt. Jim Larkin: Man, we're gonna give you on the job training.
Pvt. Dave Corby: What's up, Sergeant?
Sgt. Jim Larkin: Take this man over to that foxhole next to Reese and teach him how to shoot.
Pvt. Dave Corby: [Larkin hands him Driscoll's brand new rifle] With this here? It might get dirty.

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Sgt. Jim Larkin: Hey, Corby, what's the matter with you? Can't you forget about that loot? You're in a church.
Pvt. Dave Corby: This ain't a church no more, Sergeant. And besides, even if it was, so what?
Sgt. Jim Larkin: Well it used to be, J.J. You oughtta have respect for things that used to be.
Pvt. Dave Corby: What are you buckin' for chaplain or something? I got respect, Sergeant. Plenty. But its not for somebody I can't see.

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Platoon Sgt. Bill Pike: [after the failed attempt on the pillbox] How close did you get?
Pvt. John Reese: Two hundred yards.
Platoon Sgt. Bill Pike: How'd it happen?
Pvt. John Reese: Mine field.
Platoon Sgt. Bill Pike: Henshaw?
Pvt. John Reese: Yeah. He tripped a mine. He was carrying a torch. It lit up the whole countryside. Put us right on the block.
Platoon Sgt. Bill Pike: Were you right?
Pvt. John Reese: How the hell do I know?

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According to Ben Mankiewicz of Turner Classic Movies, a columnist visiting the set commented on Steve McQueen's irascible temperament by noting that McQueen seemed to be his own worst enemy. Bobby Darin reportedly overheard the comment and quickly replied, "Not while I'm around." (The full Mankiewicz quote: "Steve McQueens character in 'Hell is for Heroes' seemed to have a little trouble getting along with people. By most accounts, playing that kind of guy wasn't a stretch for McQueen. Time and time again during production, McQueen got in the face of studio executives or Don Siegel, the director, or even cast members. At one point, a columnist was visiting the set, and he mentioned to another observer that Steve McQueen seemed to be his own worst enemy. Co-star Bobby Darin overheard the comment and quickly replied, 'Not while I'm around.'")
Temperatures reached 117 °F during filming. Some of the day sequences were changed to night so the cast would not collapse from the heat.
This film's director Don Siegel once said: "I would never make a war picture unless it was strongly antiwar. No side wins a war. How hypocritical warring nations are. Both sides have their priests and ministers pray to the same God for victory. War is senseless and futile. It is true that hell is for heroes. It is equally true that for heroes there is only hell."
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