Audie Murphy: "The Sicilian campaign has taken the vinegar out of my spirits. I have seen war as it actually is, and I do not like it."

You can not have a decent collection of military movies without adding Audie Murphys TO HELL AND BACK.


TO HELL AND BACK (1955)

Directed by Jesse Hibbs
Audie Murphy as himself

The Storyline

Audie was from a poor share cropping family in Texas. He was the oldest of several kids, seven I believe. His father had left so Audie was forced to quit school at a young age and go to work. At just 17 his mother passed on and the state took the children. Audies options were few. He decided to go into the military.

Murphy is assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division. He would start out in North Africa as a buck private. He got his baptism by fire when the 3rd Infantry Division took part n the invasion of Sicily. This was just the first of nine campaigns that Murphy would be a part of before he would be severely wounded. The movie follows the actual battles and campaigns as Murphy and the 3rd ID actually went through them a few years earlier. Needless to say there are a lot of action scenes during the movie.

Another issue that the movie depicts fairly well was the friends that Murphy made and lost during the war. The movie does a good job of showing how close Murphy and his friends become. The bond that soldiers form while fighting together during a war is as strong as any other bond, similar to two close brothers only stronger because of the circumstances the soldiers are under while they form their friendships. The movie also attempts to show what the soldier goes through when such close friends are lost in battle. Another point that the movie gets into is how fast Audie went up through the ranks. He makes his rank at an unbelievable pace. One because he was a very capable soldier and second because his superiors were getting killed and wounded. He made the rank of Staff Sergeant fast. Before the wars end Murphy was given a "field commission" to Lieutenant.

Murphy was awarded 33 decorations along with Congressional Medal of Honor. During the In the battle of the Colmar pocket Murphy literally stopped a German armored advance supported by German infantry, single handedly! This was the battle where Murphy was very seriously wounded. It was estimated that he took out over 240 German soldiers during that single battle. Everyone should have a look at this classic movie! As a soldier myself I feel obligated to list some of his many awards and decorations as Audie and men like him gave us our FREEDOM

Audie Murphys Medals

• Congressional Medal of Honor
• Distinguished Service Cross
• Silver Star
• Legion of Merit
• Bronze Star
• Purple Heart
• U.S. Army Outstanding Civilian Service Medal
• Good Conduct Medal
• American Campaign Medal
• European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
• World War II Victory Medal
• Army of Occupation {German Clasp}
• Combat Infantryman Badge
• French Fourragere
• French Legion of Honor, Grade of Chevalier
• French Croix de Guerre {with Silver Star}
• French Croix de Guerre {with Palm}
• Medal of Liberated France
• Belgian Croix de Guerre 1940 Palm

Conclusion

Overall TO HELL AND BACK was a good action-war movie. What makes this one so different is that it’s about the accomplishments of one soldier which plays himself. The film has a nice fast paced flow to it. Everything fits together well. The only thing that one may or may not notice is Murphys stone face. He seems emotionless through most of the movie. But then again he was not a schooled actor. There must have been something about this film, the money that it has made and continues to make is staggering. I recommend TO HELL AND BACK to the military movie buff and soldiers.

[foot notes]
• Audie Murphy originally declined the opportunity to portray himself in the movie, not wanting people to think that he was attempting to cash in on his role as a war hero.

• The Marines, Navy and Army Paratroopers turned Audie Murphy down.

RUNTIME 1 hour 46 minutes

Thank for the read,
~Mac

©2004 Joe McMaster

Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older