Battle Hymn

Battle Hymn

109 mins | Drama, War | Feb. 14, 1957

Battle Hymn was inspired by the true story of American minister Dean Hess, played here with rare sensitivity by Rock Hudson. A bomber pilot during World War II, Hess inadvertently releases a bomb which destroys a German orphanage. Tortured by guilt, Hess relocates in Korea after the war to offer his services as a missionary. Combining the best elements of Christianity and Eastern spiritualism, Hess establishes a large home for orphans. The preacher's efforts are threatened when the Korean "police action" breaks out in 1950.

Battle Hymn

109 mins | Drama, War | Feb. 14, 1957

Battle Hymn
Battle Hymn was inspired by the true story of American minister Dean Hess, played here with rare sensitivity by Rock Hudson. A bomber pilot during World War II, Hess inadvertently releases a bomb which destroys a German orphanage. Tortured by guilt, Hess relocates in Korea after the war to offer his services as a missionary. Combining the best elements of Christianity and Eastern spiritualism, Hess establishes a large home for orphans. The preacher's efforts are threatened when the Korean "police action" breaks out in 1950.
IMDb rating 6.3
Producers Universal International Pictures
Original title Battle Hymn
Directors Douglas Sirk
Writers Vincent B. Evans, Charles Grayson

Cast

Rock Hudson

as Col. Dean E. Hess

Anna Kashfi

as En Soon Yang

Dan Duryea

as Sgt. Herman

Don DeFore

as Capt. Dan Skidmore

Martha Hyer

as Mary Hess

Jock Mahoney

as Maj. Frank Moore

Alan Hale Jr.

as Mess Sergeant

James Edwards

as Lt. Maples

Richard Loo

as Gen. Kim (scenes deleted)

Simon Scott

as Lt. Hollis

Carl Benton Reid

as Deacon Edwards

Philip Ahn

as Old Man

Bartlett Robinson

as General Timberidge

Teru Shimada

as Korean Official

Carleton Young

as Major Harrison

Art Millan

as Captain Reardon

William Hudson

as Navy Lieutenant

Paul Sorensen

as Sentry

James Hong

as ROK Maj. Chong (uncredited)