Hellfighters

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Fans of Armageddon might see one or two resemblances between that 1998 box office hit and Hellfighters, a 1968 action film by Andrew V. McLaglen, one of John Wayne's favorite directors in his late career. (Their joint ventures included Chisum, Cahill: United States Marshal, and McLintock!) Wayne plays an oil well firefighter in the mold of Red Adair, turning up anywhere in the world where a geyser of fire is shooting up from a once-profitable gusher. His right-hand man (Jim Hutton) has questionable judgment about safety matters and is a scoundrel with the ladies--and neither fact is lost on Wayne when Hutton's character marries his long-lost daughter (Katharine Ross, a mere year after The Graduate). The film is an early entry in the disaster-meets-soap-opera genre that flourished in the '70s with such titles as The Towering Infernoand The Poseidon Adventure. McClaglen gets a lot of crackle out of his action scenes (many of the firefighting sequences are still startling in their intensity) and turns twin love stories (Hutton and Ross, Wayne and Vera Miles) into frothy studies of adult manners, with equal hints of Howard Hawks and Sidney Sheldon. The widescreen image on DVD offers viewers a chance to see what was then a developing vogue for gratuitous breadth and scope in all its goofy, self-congratulatory glory. (Is it necessary to look at a golf course the way one might look at an African veldt? Hellfighters says yes!) The DVD also includes production notes and written bios on the stars, plus optional French and Spanish subtitles and an optional Spanish soundtrack. The cast and sundry thrills make this film highly enjoyable, and easily forgivable for indulging in such inanities as a subplot concerning--hold on--Venezuelan terrorists! The Duke lives! --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews:

My husband's all time favorite movie!.......2007-07-13

One of John Wayne's greatest movies, and one of his few non-Westerns, although it does take place in Texas. John Wayne portrays Chance Buckman, the owner of an oil well fire-fighting company. His job takes him and his fellow workers around the globe, but the dangers of the job caused his marriage to fail. Following an injury, his associate (played by the late Jim Hutton, father of actor Tim Hutton) brings his estranged daughter (Katherine Ross) to the hospital, but when his daughter marries this associate, Chance must acknowledge her fears, deal with his ex-wife, and face the fact that his protectiveness of his new son-in-law has changed their relationship. Based on a true story, the real life "Red" Buckman and his oil well fire fighting company were responsible for putting out many of the oil well fires in Kuwait following Desert Storm.

Hellfighters.......2007-07-09

If you like John Wayne movies, this is a must see. Really good actors/actresses and good story line.

Hell Fighters.......2007-07-05

My husband & I have a lot of John Wayne. Hell Fighters is our favorite. we have about seven of John Wayne that we like. John Wayne is the best.

kind of scary.......2007-06-13

This movie has a scene where a guy gets crushed by a bulldozer. Man, that hurts! He should have been more careful and stayed away from the bulldozer.
This brings up the need for unions and the government getting involved in
the workplace. Let's face it, a really good way to prevent people from getting injured and disabled is the fear that the government is going to shut them down. Well, that and civil actions.

A Personal Perspective of Hellfighters.......2007-06-01

As others have mentioned, I originally saw this film when it was released on the "big screen". It left a huge impression on me that has not left me to this day. When I saw that Hellfighters was available on DVD, I couldn't wait to order it so that I could enjoy the film at my leisure.

Perhaps this film did not have an Oscar level script and, yes, it is a bit dated (it was released in 1968 for goodness sake). However, this film is not a remake of a previously released movie (as so many others are today), nor is it a rehash of an occupation that is over done to death (how many films have been released documenting the fantastic work of Red Adair, who was truly "one of a kind"?). Throw in a stellar cast, and you have a film that is one of my favorite John Wayne movies of all times.

The Duke had a talent that allowed him to transcend the western and war film genres, allowing him, and those who worked with him on this and so many other films, to make successful films in various situations or scenarios. It is his honesty and obvious believability that comes across in this film and takes the audience from what could have been perceived as hokey, to the dangerous reality of the film.

I highly recommend this film; let it take you into the lives of the people whose lives are put on the line every day to fight oil fires and see the impact their work has on those who love them.

John Wayne: Screen Legend Collection (Reap the Wild Wind / Rooster Cogburn / The Hellfighters / The War Wagon / The Spoilers)

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Grab this supervalue!
Very good collection HUGE difference in quality to note!!
Very nice collection

John Wayne: Screen Legend Collection (Reap the Wild Wind / Rooster Cogburn / The Hellfighters / The War Wagon / The Spoilers)
Starring: John Wayne , Ray Milland , Paulette Goddard , Susan Hayward , and Charles Bickford
Director: Cecil B. DeMille
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000NNUWZC
Release Date: 2007-06-12

Description

John Wayne is one of the most popular and recognizable leading men ever to hit the silver screen. Five memorable films capture his unforgettable career in the John Wayne: Screen Legend Collection. Co-starring an impressive roster of talent including Katharine Hepburn, Kirk Douglas, Marlene Dietrich and Randolph Scott, these films highlight an American icon who will always be remembered as a true screen legend. Reap the Wild Wind Cecil B. DeMille directs John Wayne and Ray Milland as two sailors battling pirates and competing for the affections of a southern belle (Paulette Goddard) in 1840s Key West. The Spoilers John Wayne joins Marlene Dietrich and Randolph Scott in an all-star adventure classic about gold and greed in an Alaskan boomtown during the 1890s. The War Wagon A rancher (John Wayne) recruits a brash gunslinger (Kirk Douglas) along with a raucous crew of misfits and readies them to pull off one of the most impossible heists of all time. Hellfighters A Texan demolition specialist (John Wayne) battles a perilous oil-well fire and hopes to reunite with his daughter and the wife who left him 20 years ago. Rooster Cogburn The saga of True Grit continues as John Wayne reprises his role as a Deputy Marshall who helps a missionary (Katharine Hepburn) bring justice to the Wild West.

Customer Reviews:

Grab this supervalue!.......2007-09-09

Not a dud film here. Includes a good share of my favorite Wayne films(even if he didn't get top billing in the two from 1942) All are in color except for "The Spoilers", which should have been, to show off Marlene Dietrich's outfits, if for no other reason. No other woman, given the opportunity, came close as the ultimate dancehall queen(I'm sure Wayne would agree). "Reap the Wild Wind" and "Rooster Cogburn", made 33 years apart, are two of my favorite Wayne movies. Wayne seemed way too old and slow to be playing his character in "The War Wagon" This was after his one lung had been removed. But, Kirk Douglas, no spring chicken himself, helped make up for the Duke's relative lethargy. I found it an entertaining film. "Hellfighters" brought home the dangers and challenges of putting out oilwell fires, which became very relevant during the first Gulf War. Sure burned up a lot of fuel in that one! The DVD quality of all was excellent. My only regret is the lack of commentary features, but I can't really quibble for the price.

Very good collection HUGE difference in quality to note!!.......2007-07-11

Hello Folks,

This is a collection of films that have been out on DVD...being a fan of the Duke ..I just bought it anyway. I can say I am glad already because although Universal doesn't tout this...the print of ROOSTER COGBURN is a revelation compared to the previous available editions! The previously available DVD of that fine film had noticable grain , color problems, and annoying dirt etc. The transfer/print of Rooster Cogburn on this collection is striking in its improved look ( a tribute to legendary Cinematographer Harry Stradling Jr who photographed this splendid movie). I haven't compared The War Wagon and others yet but I wouldn't be surprised if they also were an improvement. I picked this up for under $20...and 5 John Wayne films for $4 each is a no brainer...
Happy 100th Duke ..long may you ride!!
Yeeehaaaaa
UPDATE: I just compared the War Wagon with the previously available edition and like Rooster..its a HUGE upgrade in picture quality...this set gets better and better...snap it up!

Very nice collection.......2007-07-10

For those wondering, I can confirm that Hellfighters, War Wagon, and Rooster Cogburn are all presented in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen. That makes this collection a nice improvement over the previous non-anamorphic standalone versions of those DVDs. The other features (Reap the Wild Wind and The Spoilers) are in full-frame (1.33:1) format, which I believe was their original theatrical format.

The five films come on three disks:
1. Reap the Wild Wind
2. The Spoilers and The War Wagon (both on side A)
3. Hellfighters (side A) and Rooster Cogburn (side B)

The only extras are trailers (except for Hellfighters) and some John Wayne trivia on the inside of the packaging.

Suicide Missions - Hellfighters (History Channel)

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Suicide Missions - Hellfighters (History Channel)

Manufacturer: A&E Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Hellfighters

ASIN: B000F6ZBMQ
Release Date: 2006-04-25

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