Last night we watched the final DVD Laura gave us for Christmas: To Hell and Back - 1955. I've see this a few years ago so remembered the story line but much more stood out to me this time. I'm putting this in my top 10 favorite movies.
To Hell and Back is the story of Audie Murphy, who stars himself, the most decorated soldier or the "Sergeant York" of WWII.
Audie grows up in a large, poor sharecropper family in Texas. His father deserts them around 1940, leaving his mother barely able to feed her nine children. As the eldest child, Murphy works from an early age to help support his siblings, and when his mother dies in 1941 he becomes head of the family.
When World War II breaks out, Murphy is eager to enlist, but is rejected by the Marines, the Navy, and the Army paratroopers due to his small size and youthful appearance. Finally the Army reluctantly accepts him as an ordinary infantryman. After basic training and infantry training, Murphy is shipped out to the Third Infantry Division in North Africa as a replacement.
Murphy soon proves himself in battle, however, and is steadily promoted, at first against his will, eventually receiving a battlefield commission in the rank of second lieutenant.
The action for which Murphy was awarded the Medal of Honor is depicted near the end of the film. Murphy's company is forced to retreat in the face of a fierce German attack. However, Murphy remains behind at the edge of a forest to direct artillery fire on the advancing enemy infantry and armor. As the Germans close on his position, Murphy jumps onto an abandoned M4 Sherman tank and uses its .50-caliber machine gun to hold the enemy at bay, even though the vehicle is on fire and may explode at any moment. Although wounded and dangerously exposed to enemy fire, Murphy single-handedly turns back the German attack, thereby saving his company. After a period of hospitalization, he is returned to duty.
A few things I like about Audie Murphy: when there was no word from his father and his mother was struggling to care for the family he decides to man up, becoming the man of the house and providing financially for them. I like his kind and humble attitude. When offered to be promoted he turned it down several times not wanting to be elevated or separated from his men. Though not what some would consider a manly man I think he was one of the greatest of the 20th century.
I REALLY enjoyed it too!! Like you said, I appreciated his humility and kindness. He didn't try to be a big shot or the guy with all the "clever" lines, but he was humble enough to truly care for his mother and siblings and the men he served with. A good example of true manliness!
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