Too Late the Hero (1970)
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- PG
- 2h 25min
- Action, Drama
- 26 Jun 1970 (Canada)
- Movie
A reluctant hero, American Lieutenant Sam Lawson, is seconded to a motley British unit tasked with destroying a Japanese radio on a Philippine island.
Director:
Writers:
Stars:
Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
| Michael Caine | ... |
Pvt. Tosh Hearne
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| Cliff Robertson | ... |
Lt. Sam Lawson
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| Ian Bannen | ... |
Pvt. Jock Thornton
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| Harry Andrews | ... |
Col. Thompson
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| Ronald Fraser | ... |
Pvt. Campbell
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| Denholm Elliott | ... |
Capt. Hornsby
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Lance Percival | ... |
Cpl. McLean
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| Percy Herbert | ... |
Sgt. Johnstone
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| Patrick Jordan | ... |
Sergeant Major
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| Sam Kydd | ... |
Colour-Sergeant
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| William Beckley | ... |
Pvt. Currie
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Martin Horsey | ... |
Pvt. Griffiths
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| Harvey Jason | ... |
Signalman Scott
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| Don Knight | ... |
Pvt. Connolly
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Roger Newman | ... |
Pvt. Riddle
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Michael Parsons | ... |
Pvt. Rafferty
(as Michael J. Parsons)
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Sean MacDuff | ... |
Pvt. Rogers
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| Frank Webb | ... |
Ensign
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| Henry Fonda | ... |
Capt. John G. Nolan
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| Ken Takakura | ... |
Maj. Yamaguchi
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
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Allan Bittleston | ... |
Soldier (uncredited)
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C.D. Blomquist | ... |
Radio Operator (uncredited)
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Bob Christo | ... |
Body double (uncredited)
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Toy Echols | ... |
Cheering Soldier at British Base Camp (uncredited)
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| Robert Ito | ... |
Unnamed Japanese Officer (uncredited)
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Eiichi Kikuchi | ... |
Soldier (uncredited)
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William Ross | ... |
Soldier (uncredited)
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Kenny Salvatt | ... |
Platoon Member (uncredited)
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Directed by
| Robert Aldrich | ||
Written by
| Robert Aldrich | ... | (story) & |
| Robert Sherman | ... | (story) |
| Robert Aldrich | ... | (screenplay) & |
| Lukas Heller | ... | (screenplay) |
| George Marzbetuny | ... | () (uncredited) |
Produced by
| Robert Aldrich | ... | producer |
| Walter Blake | ... | associate producer |
Music by
| Gerald Fried | ||
Cinematography by
| Joseph F. Biroc | ... | (as Joseph Biroc) |
Editing by
| Michael Luciano | ||
Editorial Department
| Joseph Harrison | ... | associate editor |
Casting By
| Lynn Stalmaster | ||
Art Direction by
| James Dowell Vance | ||
Set Decoration by
| John Brown | ||
Makeup Department
| Jack Stone | ... | makeup artist |
| William Turner | ... | makeup artist |
Production Management
| Fred Ahern | ... | production supervisor |
| Vicente Nayve | ... | production supervisor: Philippines |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Malcolm R. Harding | ... | second assistant director (as Malcolm Harding) |
| Francisco MacLong | ... | first assistant director: second unit |
| Grayson Rogers | ... | first assistant director |
| Oscar Rudolph | ... | second unit director |
| Brian Bilgorri | ... | third assistant director (uncredited) |
Art Department
| John La Salandra | ... | construction coordinator |
| Maurice Larson | ... | painter |
| Don Pringle | ... | greensman |
| Ygnacio Sepulveda | ... | property master |
Sound Department
| Richard S. Church | ... | sound mixer (as Richard Church) |
| Milo B. Lory | ... | sound effects (as Milo Lory) |
| Franklin Milton | ... | sound recording supervisor (as Frank Milton) |
| Levy Principe | ... | sound mixer: second unit |
Special Effects by
| Henry Millar Jr. | ... | special effects |
Visual Effects by
| Albert Nalpas | ... | montage editor |
Stunts
| Dick LeBeau | ... | stunt double (uncredited) |
| Joe Pronto | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| Bill Saito | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| Pat Studstill | ... | stunt double (uncredited) |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Axel Broda | ... | camera technician: second unit |
| Joseph Carter | ... | electrical engineer |
| Orville Hallberg | ... | camera operator |
| William Hanna II | ... | gaffer (as William Hanna) |
| Joe Jackman | ... | camera operator |
| Robert Merry | ... | best boy electric |
| Jun Rasca | ... | assistant camera: second unit (as June Rasca) |
| Nonong Rasca | ... | camera operator: second unit |
| Hermo Santos | ... | camera operator: second unit |
| Paul Schwake Jr. | ... | head grip |
| Herbert Smith | ... | camera operator |
| Ronald Vidor | ... | first assistant camera |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Charles E. James | ... | wardrobe (as Charlie James) |
Location Management
| Arnold H. Orgolini | ... | location auditor (as Arnold Orgolini) |
Music Department
| William Saracino | ... | music editor |
Script and Continuity Department
| Kenneth Gilbert | ... | script supervisor (as Ken Gilbert) |
Transportation Department
| Charles Randazzo | ... | transportation coordinator |
Additional Crew
| William Aldrich | ... | assistant to producer |
| Dave Davies | ... | unit publicist |
| Patricia Heade | ... | production assistant |
| Richard Kuhn | ... | title designer |
| Robert C. Lafever | ... | technical advisor (as Captain Robert C. Lefever USN [Ret.]) |
| Takafumi Ohashi | ... | technical advisor |
| William Ross | ... | English dialogue coach |
| Robert Sherman | ... | dialogue supervisor |
Production Companies
Distributors
- Cinerama Releasing (1970) (United States) (theatrical)
- Cinerama Releasing UK (1970) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- Dear International (1970) (Italy) (theatrical)
- Hafbo (1970) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
- InCine (1970) (Spain) (theatrical)
- Twentieth Century Fox (1970) (Canada) (theatrical)
- Twentieth Century Fox (1970) (Japan) (theatrical)
- 20th Century Fox India (1971) (India) (theatrical) (as 20th Century Fox Corporation)
- Cinerama Filmgesellschaft MBH (1971) (West Germany) (theatrical)
- Fox Norena Film A/S (1971) (Norway) (theatrical)
- M.A.P. Film (1973) (Yugoslavia) (theatrical)
- American Broadcasting Company (ABC) (1977) (United States) (tv) (broadcast premiere)
- Nord Video (1981) (Norway) (VHS)
- Star Video (1982) (Australia) (VHS)
- Cannon Screen Entertainment (1985) (West Germany) (VHS)
- ABC Video Enterprises (1986) (United States) (VHS) (under license from)
- Transvídeo (1986) (Brazil) (VHS)
- Video King (1986) (Belgium) (VHS)
- Video Collection International (1989) (United Kingdom) (VHS)
- CBS/Fox (1990) (United States) (VHS)
- CBS/Fox (1990) (United States) (VHS) (For ABC Video)
- Buena Vista Pictures (1995) (World-wide)
- Anchor Bay Entertainment (1999) (United States) (VHS)
- Anchor Bay Entertainment (2001) (United States) (DVD)
- Anchor Bay Entertainment (UK) (2002) (United Kingdom) (DVD)
- Research Entertainment (2003) (Spain) (DVD)
- Kadokawa Entertainment (2004) (Japan) (DVD)
- MGM Home Entertainment (2004) (United States) (DVD)
- EuroVideo (2006) (Germany) (DVD)
- NHK-BS2 (1990) (Japan) (tv)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- MGM Sound Department (sound)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
A World War II movie set on a Pacific island. Japanese and Allied forces occupy different parts of the island. When a group of British soldiers are sent on a mission behind enemy lines, things don't go exactly to plan. This movie differs in that some of the "heros" are very reluctant, but they come good when they are pursued by the Japanese, who are determined to prevent them returning to base. Written by Rob Hartill |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | War. It's A Dying Business. See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
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Additional Details
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Box Office
| Budget | $6,250,000 (estimated) |
Did You Know?
| Trivia | Writer, producer, and director Robert Aldrich refused Cliff Robertson's request to attend the 1969 Academy Awards ceremony, as a flight from the Philippines to Los Angeles and back would be too time-consuming due to budgetary restraints. Robertson pleaded with Aldrich, even offering to pay out of pocket for any costs associated with his absence, but to no avail. Robertson won the Oscar for Charly (1968), and the crew presented him with a mock statuette made out of wood. According to Turner Classic Movies host Robert Osborne, after the Philippine location shooting was over, Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences President Gregory Peck greeted the cast as they disembarked at Los Angeles International Airport. Robertson was holding his fake Oscar when he got off the plane. As he was approached by Peck with the real statuette, Robertson threw the wooden "Oscar" over his shoulder. The fake statuette hit Sir Michael Caine in the forehead, causing him to bleed profusely. See more » |
| Goofs | Throughout the entire film, Lt. Lawson's wristwatch randomly moves and changes position from his left hand to his right hand and vice versa. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Referenced in The Postgraduate Course in Sexual Love (1970). See more » |
| Soundtracks | Teddy Bear's Picnic See more » |
| Quotes |
Captain Hornsby:
What an extraordinary fellow! Colonel Thompson: Well, he is an American. See more » |