The Hook (1963)

 

                “The Hook” is a Korean War movie set in the closing days of the war.  It was directed by George Seaton (36 Hours) and written by Henry Denker (Time Limit).  It was based on the novel L’Hamecon by Vahe Katcha.  The title of the movie is the translation of the book title.  It stars Kirk Douglas, three years after “Spartacus”.  The man did not let superstardom go to his head as this movie is about the opposite of “Spartacus” when it comes to budget and prestige.  It was dedicated to “the individual man.  For in the brief and quiet interludes between the loud and terrible noises of war, he is capable of great and revealing moments of nobility.”

                In June, 1950,  merchant ship captures a downed North Korean pilot.  Sgt. Briscoe (Douglas) is ordered to kill the prisoner.  Although he believes orders are orders and does not want to jeopardize his career, he is unable to carry out the task.  He then tries to get Private Hackett (Nick Adams) or Private Dennison (Robert Walker) to do the job.  Hackett is Briscoe’s lackey (his “private private”) and Dennison is a sensitive type who reads books about Korean culture.  There is no Animal Mother anywhere to be found, so the execution is not going to come easy.  Meanwhile, the freighter is in dangerous waters which adds to the tension.

                This movie is a forgotten gem.  There are not a lot of good movies about the Korean War, but some of the good ones were minor productions like this and the aforementioned “Time Limit”.  In fact, it shares a similar vibe to that movie.  Both have the feel of plays and focus on morality.  This is especially apparent in the dialogue.  There are some good lines like when the captain says:  “It’s a sickness of this century that everyone must be right and everyone else must be wrong.”  The theme is the effect of war on humanity.  An individual’s humanity.  In this case, three individuals.  As the movie puts it:  “This is the story of men in war, not men at war.  And the two are not the same.”  It is very micro and concentrates on just three men and how they handle a moral dilemma.  The trio are well-cast and the acting is outstanding.  Adams and Walker were underrated actors and they hold their own with Douglas.  Douglas plays one of his more complex characters.  Briscoe is a heel, but he handles a difficult situation in a realistically human way.  Douglas taking this role is another example of the risk-taking that sets him apart from John Wayne.

                If you are a Kirk Douglas fan, you might want to catch this largely forgotten film.  It is a thought-provoking and suspenseful little movie.  While a bit preachy, it is a welcome addition to the truly anti-war film fellowship.

GRADE  =  B