To Hell and Back

Based on the true exploits of Audie L. Murphy’s experiences during the Second World War, he plays himself as he leaves his rural Texas farmstead and makes his way via training, North Africa, Italy and France to a parade back home where he is awarded the Congressional Medal of Honour. Now obviously he is making this film and pretty much intact, too, so there’s not a great deal of jeopardy about that. What we do witness, though, is an understated patriot who knows how to engage with an audience and who, given the Korean War was still keeping young American men from their families as this was released, brings a depth of emotion and understanding to his portrayal of himself on screen.