HELLFIGHTERS

DIRECTED BY ANDEW V. McLAGLEN
PRODUCED BY ROBERT ARTHUR
MUSIC BY LEONARD ROSEMAN
UNIVERSAL PICTURES

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c187/john-wayne/John%20Wayne/hellfighters-1.jpg..http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c187/john-wayne/John%20Wayne/hellfighters.jpg

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c187/john-wayne/John%20Wayne/duke005-1.jpg

INFORMATION FROM IMDb

Plot Summary
The adventures of oil well fire specialist Chance Buckman (based on real-life Red Adair),
who extinguishes massive fires in oil fields around the world.
Summary written by Jim Beaver

Full Cast
John Wayne .... Chance Buckman
Vera Miles .... Madelyn Buckman
Katharine Ross .... Tish Buckman
Jim Hutton .... Greg Parker
Jay C. Flippen .... Jack Lomax
Bruce Cabot .... Joe Horn
Edward Faulkner .... George Harris
Barbara Stuart .... Irene Foster
Edmund Hashim .... Col. Valdez
Valentin de Vargas .... Amal Bokru
Frances Fong .... Madame Loo
Alberto Morin .... General López
Alan Caillou .... Harry York
Laraine Stephens .... Helen Meadows
John Alderson .... Jim Hatch
Lal Chand Mehra .... Dr. Songla
Rudy Diaz .... Zamora
Chris Chandler .... Houston TV reporter
William Hardy
Howard Finch .... Ed 'Cal' Calhoun
Richard 'Cactus' Pryor .... Chance's doctor (as Cactus Pryor)
Big John Hamilton
Bebe Louie .... Gumdrop
Edward Colmans .... Senor Caldez (uncredited)
Elizabeth Germaine .... (uncredited)
Pedro Gonzales-Gonzales .... Hernando (houseboy) (uncredited)
Chuck Roberson .... Firefighter in airplane (uncredited)
John Stephenson .... Mr. Chapman (U.S. Embassy, Venezuela) (uncredited)

Writing Credits
Clair Huffaker

Original Music
Leonard Rosenman

Cinematograpy
William H. Clothier

Stunts
Hal Needham .... stunt coordinator
Stan Barrett .... stunts (uncredited)
Dick Bullock .... stunts (uncredited)
Jim Burk .... stunts (uncredited)
Roydon Clark .... stunts (uncredited)
Gary Combs .... stunts (uncredited)
Everett Creach .... stunts (uncredited)
Alan Gibbs .... stunts (uncredited)
Gary McLarty .... stunts (uncredited)
Hal Needham .... stunts (uncredited)
Chuck Roberson .... stunts (uncredited)
Ronnie Rondell Jr. .... stunts (uncredited)
Rock A. Walker .... stunts (uncredited)

Other crew
'Red' Adair .... technical advisor
Robert Berry .... director of photography: second unit
Robert Forrest .... dialogue coach
Joseph Gershenson .... music supervisor
'Boots' Hansen .... technical advisor
'Coots' Matthews .... technical advisor

Trivia
The character of Chance Buckman is based on real-life oil well firefighter 'Red' Adair.

When asked to comment on the film during production, actress Katharine Ross replied, "It's the biggest piece of crap I've ever done!" Then the reporter asked Vera Miles (who was playing Wayne's wife and Ross's mother in the film) to respond to Ross's comment. She thought for a moment and said, "Well, it's not the biggest piece of crap I'VE ever done!"

A burning oil well prompted the owner, present-day billionaire Phillip Anschutz, to call Red Adair, a famous firefighter who later put out the oil well fires during the Gulf War, to put out the blaze. To pay Adair, Anschutz persuaded Universal Studios to pay him $100,000 to film Adair putting out his well fire for "Hellfighters."

Katharine Ross and John Wayne had many arguments over his very vocal support for the Vietnam War.

When Tish Buckman and Greg Parker look at the house they plan to move into after they wed, it's the same house used as the Douglas home in "My Three Sons" (1960). It was later used as one of the houses on "Wysteria Lane" in "Desperate Housewives" (2004).

John Wayne, Bruce Cabot and Jim Hutton also all starred together in The Green Berets (1968)

Last cinema feature of Jim Hutton.

The cast list in the opening titles lists six actors not found in the
closing credits, but not Louie, Bebe, who is found in the end list.

Goofs
* Continuity: At beginning of the movie after helicopter lands, speed of rotor blades varies between shots.

* Factual errors: Chance remarks about a "poison well" spewing "hydrogen sulfate." It is actually hydrogen sulfide which is most often found in oil well situations. Hydrogen sulfate describes the compound which is sulfuric acid and is generally not gaseous. Hydrogen sulfide is a gas and it is poisonous.

* Revealing mistakes: When the Hellfighters are fighting the first oil well fire, they explode nitro glycerine over the oil rig to extinguish the fire. After the explosion, the fire is still burning!

* Continuity: When Tish first arrives at her father apartment in Houston, she asks for a scotch rocks... but in numerous shots, there is never any ice in the glass.

* Revealing mistakes: During the office scenes, looking through the office window, obvious toy cars were used to simulate the highway (that could be seen from outside when the helicopter first landed).

* Continuity: A rear view of the cockpit shows the doorway to be clear while a view from inside the cockpit shows a curtain over the doorway.

* Revealing mistakes: SPOILER: In the last scene, after the 3 oil fires are blown out. Chance is holding the guy rope to the control head. In the background you can see that the pipe stem is split and separated. In the next shot, all 3 drill stems are intact with flanges, to secure the control head to.

Memorable Quotes (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0063060/quotes)

Filming Locations
Baytown, Texas, USA
(Goose Creek Oilfield)
Casper, Wyoming, USA
Gillette, Wyoming, USA
Jackson Airport, Jackson Hole, Wyoming, USA
Stage 32, Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA
William P. Hobby Airport - 7800 Airport Boulevard, Houston, Texas, USA

Hellfighters is a 1968 American film starring John Wayne
and featuring Katharine Ross, Bruce Cabot,
Jim Hutton, Jay C. Flippen and Vera Miles.
The movie, directed by Andrew V. McLaglen,
is about a group of oil well firefighters,
based loosely on the life of Red Adair. Adair, "Boots" Hansen,
and "Coots" Matthews, served as technical advisors on the film.

Hellfighters was for the most part negatively received.

Apart from the exciting footage of oil-well fires,
I thought this film was utter tosh, and Duke was at his hammy worse.

Everything seemed wrong to me, the overacting of Katherine Ross and Jim Hutton,
right down to Bruce Cabot, trying to act asleep, by snoring stupidly.
In The John Wayne Scrapbook, this film is quite correctly classed
as a turkey, and it's not hard to see why!!

It was like a re-incarnation of Tycoon
an equally bad film.

It should have been an exciting film, but the results were
soon forgotten, Duke apparently, spending most of his time,
off set, playing chess.
Like me, the critics were not kind, perhaps you will be??

Look out for a couple of Duke 'Pals'
Pedro Gonzales-Gonzales as Hernando (houseboy) (uncredited)
Chuck Roberson as a Firefighter in airplane (uncredited)



User Review

I love this movie!,
18 June 2005
Author: bkgmoonstar from United States

My ex-husband was a huge John Wayne fan and had me watch every JW movie over and over. This was my favorite. The acting and script are not the point of watching this movie. The attitudes, clothes(especially the women's), and the sets are Soooo Sixties. My favorite thing is the "window" in the office. If you look closely you can see it isn't a window at all, it is a miniature of a highway(like a miniature railroad), but it is supposed to look like the view out the "window". I'm sure that was state-of-the-art in the late 60's. Katherine Ross is fabulous and wears the best clothes. Jim Hutton is quite handsome. John Wayne acts like....John Wayne. If you're a JW fan you'll recognize most of the cast. Great fun!!!!

Nice fires Shame about the rest.

Funny, Universal 8 issued a 200ft (about 8-9 minutes)super 8 digest of this movie and it actually told all of the story pretty well.

Tycoon now there is a bad movie :stunned: :dead:

What if Hell fighters was never made then what would you have to complain about the next bad movie JW made? As far as I am concerned every movie he made is good and I consider every time I watch one a gift the is no one like him and there will never be. Also Tycon is a very rare movie as far as I am concened not to mention in COLOR in 1947 most movies were still black and white someone put up a lot of loot, and it is a twonderful movie. Next thing you know someone is going to say Donovans Reef is a bad movie. :cowboy:

Gotta chime in on this one -

Personally, I have never liked this movie, mostly because of the Katherine Ross character. Whiny, petulant, YUCK!

For all the times the movie was started, I never made it to the end of the movie until the last time (which was a couple of years ago). The latter part of the movie was kind of interesting, not enough to redeem the whole thing, but surprisingly decent.

JOHNWAYNEABE, don't take it so seriously. Surely you've heard the phrase "Different strokes for different folks," right? That's what makes the world go around, and that means there are movies that you like and movies that I like, and we can both be happy, even if we think there are some stinkers out there :rolleyes: .

Mrs. C :angel1:

If we are liked the same type of men/women and cars wouldn't life being boring!

Even John Wayne admitted that half his films should be buried. The joy is the sheer wealth of material available to the collector and the right to select your likes and dislikes.

Personally, I quite like The Conquer and can watch and enjoy it as the adventure story it is where as I know a lot of JW fans cringe when the film's name comes up in conversation. Again it is a personal choice and a decision for the viewer.

Hellfighters is an exciting idea for a movie but it was delivered in such a way as it made for a pretty poor movie. Blame for this as in a lot of movies is poor script. planning and direction. Sometimes this can be corrected whilst the movie is in production some times not. The actors are only delivering the lines given to them
and most of the film production is beyond their control. All actors make bad movies for a variety of reasons. No one is excempt

In Tycoon, am sorry it is awful I wouldn't care if was the only technicolor movie in the world that existed I wouldn't want to see it again.

As the saying goes "one man's meat is another man's poison"

I had never really watched this movie all the way thru until over the Christmas holidays-I did.I liked it.
The one scene that I vividly remember is toward the last of the movie-after Chance had gotten out of the game.The crew got in a situation that they couldn't handle-of course Chance gets the call.When he arrives on the scene on that plane and the cargo door drops open.There he stands,bigger than life,he doesn't say a word but by his look-he says I am here-everything is going to be OK.

I loved this movie, living in alberta which is very big in the oil and gas industry made me appreciate it a bit more. My friend's father is a "hellfighter" as they refer to it as.

Strong performances, Jim Hutton and the duke worked well together, just like in the Green Berets.

Katherine ross i enjoyed and did NOT think she was whiny and you say, she was tough in her role. If anyone had to be called whiny it would be Madelyn (vera Miles).


-IHW

As you might guess, this movie is readily available.

Deep Discount DVD (http://search.deepdiscountdvd.com/search?p=Q&ts=custom&w=hellfighters&search.x=0&search.y=0) has not only the movie, but 5 (that's right, FIVE) movie posters!

Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/002-3581901-1689624?search-alias=aps&keywords=hellfighters) carries the DVD, both used and new, and VHS (used only, from independent sellers, thus not qualifying for free shipping).

Chester :newyear:

I particularly liked this movie. The length is fine because there is room to build the characters of the movie and the fire scenes are impressive. I own the Region 1 DVD that has some production notes but strangely enough the trailer that is announced on the back cover of the DVD is not included.
There was a short piece on the making of the movie in a Dutch magazine of that time that had a picture of John Wayne drving in a special terrain buggy on the set, the particular vehicle is not even in the movie. I too think Katherine Ross was good in her part, and Jim Hutton is believable as co-star.

It's been a while that this thread has been talked about, so here goes.

This movie is not a more John Wayne great, but I do like it. The acting is great and the players work well together. I think that Katherine Ross is a very sexy woman. She was and probably is the hottest woman on screen. Her beauty is real and she plays her part well. I like her in this movie playing opposite Jim Hutton. They have such great chemistry. Shame that she and Duke made only one movie together. I wonder how she felt about Duke?

Jim Hutton is a very likable guy. This is one of two movies he plays with Duke and he gives a fine performance. Vera Miles is a very good actress and I like her in this movie too. Then there is Jay C. Flippen gives a fine performance. I wasn't aware that the wheel chair was for real. Flippen was confined to it before his death. He is good.

As for Bruce Cabot, Edward Faulkner, Barbara Stuart, they were good backup players in the movie. This movie is full of great shots of oil well fires. They are always eye catchers, and the story is good. I don't like the ending; it looks like they try to end it as if they have only a few seconds left and try to cram in an ending.

Overall, it is one of my favorite Duke movie.

Cheers :cool:

The action scenes on Hellfighters are great but the stories in between do drag it down and could have been improved so much.

Worth watching for the action scenes but not one of my favourites.

I enjoyed this movie, but then I have enjoyed all of his movies. There is one scene in this movie that I really enjoy.

"One day an angery husband is going to show up and turn your prat into a punchboard."

Here's a pic of the theater poster from Hellfighters.

As I recall, I read somewhere that Katherine Ross did not like working with the Duke because of his conservative outlook, which is strange because she married Sam Elliott, who I believe is also very conservative.

In light of today's technology, it really amused my kids to watch them using the car phones.

Hi,
I like the movie and have to agree, anything with John Wayne in it is all right by me! But, I do have to say that casting Vera Miles in the part as John Wayne's wife did not work for me. It just did not click like when he works with Maureen O' Hara or Laureen Bacall. But, I do like the way Duke and Jim Hutton work off of each other. To bad they didn't make more films together.
Stacy

As I recall, I read somewhere that Katherine Ross did not like working with the Duke because of his conservative outlook, which is strange because she married Sam Elliott, who I believe is also very conservative.

It wasn't all a political conflict. John Wayne could be tough sometimes especially when he was paying the bill and making a movie to honor a real person.

Here is another Film Facts entry from Clive Woolands (see this post (http://www.dukewayne.com/post50290-1.html) for more information) -

Howdy folks, its time for another film fact, this time it is from
Hellfighters.

Producer: Robert Arthur, Screenplay: Clair Huffaker, Cinematographer:
William H. Clothier, Art Directors: Frank Arrigo, Alexander Golitzen,
Editor: Folmar Blangsted, Distribution: Universal Pictures,
Locations: Texas, Wyoming
Box office takings (US): $3.481 million,
Date of Production: 1968.

Katherine Ross and Vera Miles worked together again 15 years later in a made for TV movie called Travis McGee (1983), about a jaded private
eye. It was also directed by Andrew V. McLaglen.
Houston born actor Randy Quaid claims that as a high school kid, he rang up John Wayne's hotel during the shoot of Hellfighters and impersonated the actor. "I said, `This is John Wayne. Got any messages for me?'" he said. "And they gave me his messages. That gave me a lot of confidence, and I started performing."
Jim Hutton, who died aged just 45 in 1979, is the father of actor Timothy Hutton. When he received his best supporting actor Oscar for Ordinary People at the 1981 Academy Awards, Timothy Hutton dedicated it to his father.
The distinctive, jaunty score for Hellfighters was composed by Leonard Rosenman. The John Wayne film came midway through a career that peaked in the 1970's with back-to-back Academy Awards for Barry Lyndon (1975) and Bound For Glory (1976).

I just picked up this movie yesterday, and I have always liked it. It has Duke, Jim Hutton who I loved as Ellery Queen, Katherine Ross who I just enjoy looking at and action. Cripes what more do you want.

If we're honest there are many Duke movies, that are not really very good, but because of our love for him we tend to overlook the flaws. Just like my wife does with me:stunned:

I've seen this movie several times. I admit I liked it when I was younger just because John Wayne was in it. However, every time I have seen it in the past few years, I just don't enjoy it like i useed to. I will not say I do not like this film but, if i had it to choose buying between a better title, well; it would lose.

I like this movie. I like Hutton in it and was pleased to see him teamed up with John Wayne again. The BBC are currently repeating Hutton's TV series Ellery Queen by the way. The action scenes were well shot and I thought the atmosphere in the movie was pleasant.

The movie has spectacular action sequences, but it's (At least IMO) missing something that I can't put my finger on.

The action scenes were great, but I thought the movie needed a better story.

I'm about to work on the German DVD for HELLFIGHTERS.

I'll include
- the 1969 featurette
- German theatrical trailer
- Galleries with German, US, UK Promo-material, behind the scenes stills
- Booklet (German writing)

Of course the film will be in its Panavision ratio and will have the english soundtrack as well.
So far the only DVD release worldwide with some supplements I guess...

Watched Hellfighters on Thursday. Must have been in good mood as it wasnt as bad as I remembered it the last time. It could have been much better but it did have some good moments and scenes.

Mike

I'm about to work on the German DVD for HELLFIGHTERS.

I'll include
- the 1969 featurette
- German theatrical trailer
- Galleries with German, US, UK Promo-material, behind the scenes stills
- Booklet (German writing)

Of course the film will be in its Panavision ratio and will have the english soundtrack as well.
So far the only DVD release worldwide with some supplements I guess...
I hope you will keep us updated on this work. Our European members especially look forward to the release, I'm sure.

Chester :newyear:

Hi Juniormike,
you are certainly doing a great job. But it is not the first release of this movie in Europe. It was released already by Universal in UK. But there was no features on the disk. May be only trailer - I must check out, I have it.
Regards,
Senta

If memory serves me correctly I think this may have been the 1st JW movie I watched!

Great action scenes, but storyline a tad weak

One thing I like about this film, being an Okie, is the oil related theme. Duke did others as well like War of the Wildcats but this was the only modern one. My dad used to work in the petrolium industry so when this film first came out, I could relate to the scenes of the Christmas trees, etc. Dad was able to add a lot of background info concerning what the firefighters were doing and why. Red Adair, on whom the story is based, was a heck of a guy. Talk about grit now. He had it.

I spent a summer working in the Alberta Leduc Oil field and I recall that sometimes things happen really fast. With underground shifts incredible pressure can make for scarey conditions above. keeping your head and getting the job done takes a lot of sand and I think that Mr Adair deserves his legend status. As a tribute film I think it was ok, yet there were scenes that could have been better IMO.

its been a while since anyone spoke in here so i hope i can start it back up :)
IMO i loved this film, maybe because it had duke in it but i thought it was great. i was taped on my tv and i have watched it twice now, and i have to say i love Jim Hutton. he as got to be one of the hottest man Ive seen in a duke movie... besides duke. but i like kathrine ross in this too.

Duke's Duchess,

Any time you watch a Duke movie, you should definitely feel free to post in the dedicated thread with your thoughts on the movie! That's a great way to bring a thread back to the top.

Mrs. C concurs with your thoughts on Jim Hutton - she has always enjoyed him as well. As to the movie Hellfighters, it's not one I watch too often, but maybe it's time to 'dust it off' and watch it again.

Chester :newyear:

I know this movie has seen alot of critism from others, and personally I have liked every movie the Duke was in. Some I liked better than others maybe, but then the next day i like the one i liked not as well the before i like better and vice versa. I thought hellfighters had a very good story and i felt it was very educational in a broad general way of the oil well fires and there risks and dangers as well as what can be done about them.

Some I liked better than others maybe, but then the next day i like the one i liked not as well the before i like better and vice versa.

Don't feel bad Steve, I'm afflicted with the same problem. :headbonk:

Chester :newyear:

well thank ya Chester7777 and i do like posting about movies i have just watched and im glad i could get this tread started again :teeth_smile:

Just watched the Film Again, and as much as I like Duke's Films I would Not Put This One at The Top Of My List !
:glare:
Chilibill
:cowboy:

Does anyone know where the office location was in Houston where they shot the film? I was also wondering which airport in Houston they filmed.

I was in Houston last week and it got me to wondering.

It looks like Hobby Airport to Me.
:shades_smile:
Bill
:cowboy:

Bill,

It looked like Hobby to me too. I'm really curious about the office location as the elevated highway seems very distinctive. Any ideas anyone?

By the way, I like this film. It may not be a masterpiece, but my dad being involved in the oil industry and me living near the "Oil Capital of the World"; I can relate to it.

Bill,It looked like Hobby to me too. I'm really curious about the office location as the elevated highway seems very distinctive. Any ideas anyone?

To me, it looks like a miniature - the cars move too evenly and are spaced several car lengths apart. If you're familiar with Houston, the vehicles would be traveling a lot faster or be in gridlock

That could be true Jay but keep i mind this was filmed in 1969. Less traffic back then.

Yeah I have to doubt they'd go to the extreme of doing miniatures for the scene. Looked like a real office to me.

Yeah I have to doubt they'd go to the extreme of doing miniatures for the scene. Looked like a real office to me.

When Duke is in his office, they have a backdrop of the window, and the highway beyond!! It is so dreadful, as a model treadmill, all the cars go past the window at the same speed! A red station waggon goes past the window, 15-17 times!!

In the first post it clarifies this,
that it was simple special effects!

When Duke is in his office, they have a backdrop of the window, and the highway beyond!! It is so dreadful, as a model treadmill, all the cars go past the window at the same speed! A red station waggon goes past the window, 15-17 times!!

In the first post it clarifies this,
that it was simple special effects!

Just another reason why Hellfighter's is near the bottom on my list of favorite Duke films.

Chester :newyear:

Hellfighters is indeed one Duke's lesser offerings from this period, the movie is almost as if Duke was just fulfilling a contractual obligation and didn't really put his heart into this.

I'm going to have to go back and check this out, Been quite awhile since I saw it. Thanks everyone-

Hellfighters is indeed one Duke's lesser offerings from this period, the movie is almost as if Duke was just fulfilling a contractual obligation and didn't really put his heart into this.

I really like 'Hellfighters', but watching it again recently and seeing this comment makes me feel as if Duke had a supporting role.

Finally got around to watching this again, and yeah, while the characters are inside the office, it is a fake skyway in the backround-no doubt. But when they are outside entering, it is the real thing. It's funny, one of the cars on the fake overpass seemes to be a model of the red Lincoln w/black top that Duke and Jim Hutton use in one scene.

I thought y'all might find this recent reference in the news (http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/05/09/1619450/oceans-need-a-hero-john-wayne.html), to John Wayne, interesting.

It was also a sneaky way to bring this thread back to the top, for anyone who might not have had opportunity to check it out. Plenty of information and discussion in this, and all the movie threads that Keith has tirelessly and diligently done. If you haven't read this one from the beginning, I recommend it!

its about 10 years since ive seen the hellfighters and i didnt think much of the film back then so i have to watched it again to see has it grown on me.will report back

finally got to see the hellfighters and i surprised my self that i really enjoyed the film.i taught john wayne and jim hutton played off eached well and there were good humour between the leading cast.i surpose when you get older you see john wayne films in a different way.tycoon is the next film i have to watch as i didnt think much of thast film either.have'nt seen that film in 10 years either

Hi guys

I'm afraid I didn't really like this movie too, not one of his better ones, though I had watched Jet Pilot and The Conqueror before I got to Hellfighters !!!!

So not as bad as THOSE !!!!!

I would say Hellfighters is marginally better than the other two. The Conqueor is more funny than anything else. Jet Pilot is for the birds and jet engine enthusiasts. Even the trailer wears your patience out!!

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Lobby Card Mexicaine

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Its one of a few in the 60's that i don't own. Kinda bombed for me. It would have been nice to see him as a real life fireman though! Like a fire chief chasing fires in the big city!

http://i67.servimg.com/u/f67/11/97/59/03/wayne198.jpg (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=1891&u=11975903)

This has been showing on one of the Encore channels. I've watched it several times. I like the movie. I liked it better than Hatari.

Unbelievably this one has remained unwatched out of my Duke DVDs.
I must give it a go. The soundtrack is quite cool, that's all I know!

Unbelievably this one has remained unwatched out of my Duke DVDs.
I must give it a go. The soundtrack is quite cool, that's all I know!

Oh, I LOVE this movie. Saw it when it first came out. It didn't fair well with the critics I don't think, but I think the Duke fans really like it. Just saw it not long ago. Hope you like it too! Keith

This movie is just ok with me. I can watch it if it's on, but I don't seek it out. There is one line in the film that I really like, though. It's when Duke tells Jim Hutton "If you're coming to me for advice, I'm a dry hole".

Mark

Just curious Mark, what is it about it that doesn't "turn" you on? I thought it was exciting, liked the characters and actors, and of course, if Duke gets hurt, I always pretend that I am looking after him, LOL! Keith

Your not missing much Dooley.

OK Bill, so why is he not missing much? Asked Mark the same thing. Maybe this is a male/female thing? I should get Peridot and Paula in here and see what they thought. Maybe I am a nut........Oh shoot, we already knew that, didn't we? That didn't help a bit. But then, sometimes, Peter and I like movies that others are not too fond of so, maybe he will still like it...........so, WHAT Oh Peter DOOLEY? LOL. Is it a bust of was it exciting and fun. One of the parts I guess I identified with was their ability to get things done around the world with just a phone call. That was the way living with Gibbons was like. Well, yall can all send your copies to me if you would like, LOL! KEITH

This has been showing on one of the Encore channels. I've watched it several times. I like the movie. I liked it better than Hatari.

Oh, Hello there ND. Sorry, I missed you completely. Hope we didn't scare you off.....we didn't even welcome you, etc. So, please accept my apologies. I loved the movie as you did. You said you liked it better than Hatari. We are now having a monthly GROUP WATCH on Hatari. PLEASE join us there. We are giving away prizes, (just my sketches so far), and we would love to have some discussion about the movie instead of just questions and answers. We would love to have you join us:
http://www.dukewayne.com/showthread.php?p=118414#post118414

Hago, KEITH2

This was my original post on this film,
and I haven't changed my view

Apart from the exciting footage of oil-well fires,
I thought this film was utter tosh, and Duke was at his hammy worse.
Everything seemed wrong to me, the overacting of Katherine Ross and Jim Hutton,
right down to Bruce Cabot, trying to act asleep, by snoring stupidly.
In The John Wayne Scrapbook, this film is quite correctly classed
as a turkey, and it's not hard to see why!!
It was like a re-incarnation of Tycoon, an equally bad film.
It should have been an exciting film, but the results were soon forgotten,
Duke apparently, spending most of his time, off set, playing chess.
Like me, the critics were not kind, perhaps you will be??
Rating 3/10

Well, Keith, you and the others except for ND seem to agree. But, as for me, I love Hellfighters and will watch it whenever I get the chance. Think it is a cracerjack film, LOL! Might have a little to do with the fact that I knew a crew who did that kind of thing. They weren't famous worldwide, but they still put the dang things out. By the way, the reason they liked the movie was because they could take girls to see it and tell them that is what they did for a living, LOL! Keith2

Hi Hawkswill! You know its funny, as you read the reviews on all the movies, you'll find that there is always someone who goes against the grain. On just about all of them, someone will come out and say: I really liked that movie! Where the majority here gave it a thumbs down. Or we all say, Thats a great movie! someone didn't care for it. You like Hellfighters. Its all about Preference! I liked the Conqueror! Most folks don't like that one!

This has been showing on one of the Encore channels. I've watched it several times. I like the movie. I liked it better than Hatari.


Nicholas deBrabant Knight, is that you?

Solving a puzzle is its own reward.

Nicholas deBrabant Knight, is that you?

Solving a puzzle is its own reward.

LOL, find someone you know? Keith

It's been a long while since I've seen this film, but I remember that liked it. I was very young when I saw it, but I was very fond of Jim Hutton. I'm looking for a way to view it now.

Not sure if this has been posted on here yet but Hellfighters is out on blu ray on region 2!
I quite like the cover.

http://i1255.photobucket.com/albums/hh635/pmarcparker/731a13fe610fa5c9897c56d553c86d6a.jpg

FanTAStic cover Peter. Much better than the old ones. Read way on down this thread. Lots of folks don't like this movie at all. But, I found two who did beside me. I said when you got back, I thought you might be one of the ones who liked it because we USUALLY agreed. So, what is your take on this. Make sure to read on back to see why others didn't like it and why I did. Sure reminds me of those guys, and of Gibbons who once got cement shipped out of country when no one else could with one little 5 minute phone call, LOL! Keith


Not sure if this has been posted on here yet but Hellfighters is out on blu ray on region 2!
I quite like the cover.

http://i1255.photobucket.com/albums/hh635/pmarcparker/731a13fe610fa5c9897c56d553c86d6a.jpg

FanTAStic cover Peter. Much better than the old ones. Read way on down this thread. Lots of folks don't like this movie at all. But, I found two who did beside me. I said when you got back, I thought you might be one of the ones who liked it because we USUALLY agreed. So, what is your take on this. Make sure to read on back to see why others didn't like it and why I did. Sure reminds me of those guys, and of Gibbons who once got cement shipped out of country when no one else could with one little 5 minute phone call, LOL! Keith

I'm going to be honest here, pretty much how I always am, I still haven't seen this one! Like The Conqueror, it has sat in my Duke box of films unwatched.I must dig it out to form an opinion on it. I do like the soundtrack however, quite a jazz little number!
Maybe it will be in the group watch soon, lol!

Great movie, ha ha!! they couldn't even have a
location shot from the window,
just an endless conveyer belt of the same
plastic cars on and on and on.... yuk!!

Great movie, ha ha!! they couldn't even have a
location shot from the window,
just an endless conveyer belt of the same
plastic cars on and on and on.... yuk!!

Lol! I take it you don't like this one Keith?

I read reviews on Amazon, see below, and ordered the blu ray! I'll let you know what I think when it arrives!

One of John Waynes best films, backed by an impressive cast including Katharine Ross and Jim Hutton, enjoyable time after time, a classic.

Altho it is not a western with John Wayne the few films that he made that were just ordinary ones this one is one of his best films very exciting.

I saw this movie on TV years ago and it is one of John Wayne's best.This is loosly based on the life of Texan Oilwell fire expert Red Adair, who died not long ago.Jim Hutton is his sidekick, with Bruce Cabot and Vera Lynn his ex wife.I loved this movie and still play it often. The DVD edition brings a clear sharp picture and the soundtrack is great.The team travel the world putting out oil and gas fires and there are some terrific sequences, including the fire in Malasia and the final one in Venezuela.Along the way, we get to see thier life and loves, predictably with John (Chance Buckman) getting back with his ex wife.I'm sure you will enjoy it.

P.S. don't blame me that they are illiterate, I just copy and pasted them!:wink_smile:

Great movie, ha ha!! they couldn't even have a
location shot from the window,
just an endless conveyer belt of the same
plastic cars on and on and on.... yuk!!

You are of course most welcome to your opinion Keither. Don't think you should phrase it in such a way as to try to make others look a little less intelligent than they are, LOL!
Some of us really enjoyed this movie. Kind of like Pappy putting the same Monument Valley scenes miles from where they were before. We won't even talk about N to A. OK, it wasn't an Oscar winner, just an enjoyable, exciting at times movie. The guys I knew said they really DID put out oil well fires in the way they did it. At least they must have had a really good info man. If guys that do this for a living like it....must be something about it that is right. Anyway, have a nice night, Keith2

You are of course most welcome to your opinion Keither. Don't think you should phrase it in such a way as to try to make others look a little less intelligent than they are, LOL!
Keith2
Well the folks who made the movie, obviously didn't use much intelligence when they shot those joke scenes!!

Well the folks who made the movie, obviously didn't use much intelligence when they shot those joke scenes!!

Remember I've never seen it so watching it on Blu ray for my first viewing will give it the best chance. Honestly, I'm surprised at its ratings on Amazon all 5 stars and one 4 stars, better than some of Duke's better known films.

Well the folks who made the movie, obviously didn't use much intelligence when they shot those joke scenes!!


Perhaps you should focus on the entire movie and the scenes that count, like the fire fighting ones instead of some silly background cars. As we know, all movies have mistakes in them. This happens to be a very highly regarded film. Guess the people who rate them were more interested in what the movie was about. HAH, when I posted that the info man must have really known what he was doing, I had forgotten it was Red Adair....THE expert and the movie was loosely based on his life. Way to go Peter. Will be a real shame if you finally get to watch it and don't like it, LOL! Keith

Still haven't seen it; it can't get here soon enough now ;-)

Perhaps you should focus on the entire movie and the scenes that count, like the fire fighting ones instead of some silly background cars. As we know, all movies have mistakes in them. This happens to be a very highly regarded film. Guess the people who rate them were more interested in what the movie was about. HAH, when I posted that the info man must have really known what he was doing, I had forgotten it was Red Adair....THE expert and the movie was loosely based on his life. Way to go Peter. Will be a real shame if you finally get to watch it and don't like it, LOL! Keith
I thought you also wanted folks to say negative things as well?? Perhaps not?
The great things about this board is we all have an opinion and we allow members theirs.

This movie I might add, is not that highly regarded by all.
The action shots are great but the movie that surrounds them is just awful.
It's badly acted and in my opinion, not one of the stars comes out with any credit.

It is also the 'silly things' that diminish the real heroics,
and the movie is dragged down as a result of them.
How could they film live oil fires and surround them with 'cheap' scenes
By the way I will focus on movies in anyway I chose!

I thought you also wanted folks to say negative things as well?? Perhaps not?
The great things about this board is we all have an opinion and we allow members theirs.

This movie I might add, is not that highly regarded by all.
The action shots are great but the movie that surrounds them is just awful.
It's badly acted and in my opinion, not one of the stars comes out with any credit.

It is also the 'silly things' that diminish the real heroics,
and the movie is dragged down as a result of them.
How could they film live oil fires and surround them with 'cheap' scenes
By the way I will focus on movies in anyway I chose!


Hmm, my last post must not have gone through. Of course negative things are always appreciated as they start conversations instead of just reading about what the net says. And you got one heck of one going, LOL. Just hope Peter likes the MOVIE when he gets it!
I liked all the characters and enjoyed their interactions. All in all, the movie was most pleasant to me and very exciting. Sorry that you found it so awful. However there are a great many out there for you to enjoy, so not to worry. Keith2

It's been dispatched so hopefully I'll have watched it by the time next week.

This one is just for EthanKeith as I know he loves it so much. Coasters are an added extra to keep it from rolling up!

http://i1255.photobucket.com/albums/hh635/pmarcparker/Film%20Posters/Hellfighters.jpg

Great poster Peter, love that Movie! LH

http://i77.servimg.com/u/f77/11/97/59/03/wayne163.jpg (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=12423&u=11975903)