Korea 1951: After a Chinese attack Dutch mercenary sergeant De Koning is left alone by his army. While trying to survive, he meets a woman who is attempting to save her little brother. The image of the boy in shock changes him.
Reviews
This film was actually done in the ROK, and is very authentic. The equipment, uniforms, and other gear of all the combatants is well researched. The tribute to the Dutch by making this movie is much deserved. I find no problem with either the action, or the ability of the actors. It is believable to the point of being gruesome. Since I myself have served as a soldier in Korea near the DMZ, I know what I am talking about. This film deserved a better rap than which it has received. I have a bit of difficulty with the part where the young Koreans are eating dog meat, but I suppose the locals find it tasty with boiled rice, and kimchee. The Field of Honor is much more real than the widely acclaimed Gregory Peck film "Porkchop Hill". I suppose one would have to have been in the ROK to appreciate what was done with this movie.
The movie itself isn't really special, but Ron plays the stars of heaven! His incredible acting talent shows up on the screen and lifts the whole movie up. See this one!Ron's talent for television really got an impulse after this movie. And now he does "Let Them Laugh" on dutch television. What a show it is!
This is the worst film I've seen. No wonder its release was delayed for two years due its notorious reputation at Cannes, or so I read. Who wants to look at a close up of a man's foot? Still, Everett McGill seems to have done better in other films, most notably his appearances in Twin Peaks and The Straight Story. He is a good actor, even in this one, but his later works served him better.
"Field of Honor" is a movie with a great point: although it's a war story, it's a movie about how a soldier could feel lonely, tired of so many slaughter and anxious for love and compassion. In this way, "Field of Honor" is a remarkable movie and the character played with subdued mood by Everett Mc Gill deserves to be remind as one of the most strong and convincing war/phisochology type already done. If you not pick this film up until now, do it. You'll see a real and painful story but a very sensitive one too. (3 stars of 5 = rating).