The Hunters (1958)
Encyclopedia
The Hunters is a 1958 feature film adapted from the novel The Hunters
by James Salter
. Produced by Dick Powell
, it stars Robert Mitchum
and Robert Wagner
as two very different United States Air Force
fighter pilots in the midst of the Korean War
.
fighter ace
eager to fly an North American F-86 Sabre fighter in the Korean War. His commanding officer, Colonel "Dutch" Imil (Richard Egan
), assigns him command of a flight
.
Among his pilots is a new replacement, talented, but brash Lieutenant Ed Pell (Wagner). After he abandons his element leader
, Lieutenant Corona (John Gabriel
), during combat to down an enemy fighter, Corona's aircraft is shot up; he is killed while trying to land. As a result, Saville wants Pell assigned to someone else, but Imil overrules him; Pell was top of his class in flight school and Imil sees him as a younger version of Saville. If anyone can get Pell to grow up, it is the major.
Another pilot under Saville's command, Lieutenant Carl Abbott (Lee Philips
), poses a different kind of problem. He lacks confidence in his abilities; his worried wife Kristina (May Britt
) asks Saville to watch over him. Saville falls in love with her, and vice versa. Aware of the situation, Abbott offers Saville a deal: his wife in return for the opportunity to go one-on-one with "Casey Jones" (an uncredited Leon Lontoc), the most feared enemy ace, whose MiG-15
is marked with "7-11", if they should run into him. A disgusted Saville turns him down.
Nevertheless, on a mission soon afterwards, Abbott tangles with Casey Jones and is quickly shot down far behind enemy lines. In an ensuing dogfight, Saville downs Casey Jones and, resisting the temptation to abandon the wounded Abbott, spots his parachute and ditches his aircraft nearby, disobeying standing order
s. Pell strafes the North Korean infantrymen closing in and is shot down himself. The trio then make their way back to safety.
Along the way, they are assisted by a friendly Korean farmer (Victor Sen Yung
) and his family. When a North Korean patrol happens by, the Americans hide, but in their haste, a jacket is left behind. As a result, the family members are executed, but Saville and Pell avenge them.
Afterward, Abbott is to be transferred back to the U.S. to recuperate. His brush with death has changed his priorities; he remorsefully asks Kristina for another chance. She decides to go with him.
was used during the production as the main location where aircraft used in the film were parked and maintained.
With this film, director Dick Powell completed his obligations to 20th Century Fox in his producing-directing contract, having already delivered The Enemy Below
.
. The friction between Saville and Pell continues throughout the novel and Pell is a much less likable character.
There are no pilots' wives as characters in the novel and therefore no love triangle subplots, and no mission where Saville crash-lands, or Pell is shot down, trying to help Abbott. On the return to base after Saville shoots down Casey Jones, his wingman is killed when he runs out of fuel and crashes just short of the runway, and as a gesture to the wingman and also to spite Pell who questions whether Casey Jones was actually shot down, Saville credits his wingman with the kill. Saville actually dies at the end of the novel, with only a single kill to his own credit.
The Hunters (novel)
The Hunters is James Salter's debut novel about USAF fighter pilots during the Korean War, first published in 1956. The novel was the basis for a 1958 film by the same name starring Robert Mitchum and Robert Wagner with a very different storyline....
by James Salter
James Salter
James Salter is an American novelist and short-story writer. Once a career officer and pilot in the United States Air Force, he abandoned the military profession in 1957 after successful publication of his first novel, The Hunters.After a brief career at film writing and film directing, Salter...
. Produced by Dick Powell
Dick Powell
Richard Ewing "Dick" Powell was an American singer, actor, producer, director and studio boss.Despite the same last name he was not related to William Powell, Eleanor Powell or Jane Powell.-Biography:...
, it stars Robert Mitchum
Robert Mitchum
Robert Charles Durman Mitchum was an American film actor, author, composer and singer and is #23 on the American Film Institute's list of the greatest male American screen legends of all time...
and Robert Wagner
Robert Wagner
Robert John Wagner is an American actor of stage, screen, and television.A veteran of many films in the 1950s and 1960s, Wagner gained prominence in three American television series that spanned three decades: It Takes a Thief , Switch , and Hart to Hart...
as two very different United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
fighter pilots in the midst of the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
.
Plot
Major Cleve "Iceman" Saville (Mitchum) is a veteran World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
fighter ace
Flying ace
A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The actual number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an "ace" has varied, but is usually considered to be five or more...
eager to fly an North American F-86 Sabre fighter in the Korean War. His commanding officer, Colonel "Dutch" Imil (Richard Egan
Richard Egan (actor)
Richard Egan was an American actor. In some films he is credited as Richard Eagan.-Career:Born in San Francisco, California, Egan served in the United States Army as a judo instructor during World War II...
), assigns him command of a flight
Flight (military unit)
A flight is a military unit in an air force, naval air service, or army air corps. It usually comprises three to six aircraft, with their aircrews and ground staff; or, in the case of a non-flying ground flight, no aircraft and a roughly equivalent number of support personnel. In most usages,...
.
Among his pilots is a new replacement, talented, but brash Lieutenant Ed Pell (Wagner). After he abandons his element leader
Finger-four
The "Finger-four" formation , is a flight formation used by fighter aircraft. It consists of four aircraft, and four of these formations can be combined into a squadron formation.- Description :...
, Lieutenant Corona (John Gabriel
John Gabriel
Note: For the actor of the same name, see John Gabriel . For the webcomic character, see Penny Arcade.John Gabriel is an executive in the National Basketball Association. In 2008, he became the director of scouting for the New York Knicks...
), during combat to down an enemy fighter, Corona's aircraft is shot up; he is killed while trying to land. As a result, Saville wants Pell assigned to someone else, but Imil overrules him; Pell was top of his class in flight school and Imil sees him as a younger version of Saville. If anyone can get Pell to grow up, it is the major.
Another pilot under Saville's command, Lieutenant Carl Abbott (Lee Philips
Lee Philips
Lee Philips was an actor and director.Philips' acting career started on Broadway, and peaked with a starring role as Michael Rossi in the film adaptation of Peyton Place opposite Lana Turner....
), poses a different kind of problem. He lacks confidence in his abilities; his worried wife Kristina (May Britt
May Britt
May Britt is a Swedish actress who had a brief career in the 1950s in Italy and later in the United States. She retired from the screen after she married Sammy Davis, Jr. in 1960.-Career:...
) asks Saville to watch over him. Saville falls in love with her, and vice versa. Aware of the situation, Abbott offers Saville a deal: his wife in return for the opportunity to go one-on-one with "Casey Jones" (an uncredited Leon Lontoc), the most feared enemy ace, whose MiG-15
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15
The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 was a jet fighter developed for the USSR by Artem Mikoyan and Mikhail Gurevich. The MiG-15 was one of the first successful swept-wing jet fighters, and it achieved fame in the skies over Korea, where early in the war, it outclassed all straight-winged enemy fighters in...
is marked with "7-11", if they should run into him. A disgusted Saville turns him down.
Nevertheless, on a mission soon afterwards, Abbott tangles with Casey Jones and is quickly shot down far behind enemy lines. In an ensuing dogfight, Saville downs Casey Jones and, resisting the temptation to abandon the wounded Abbott, spots his parachute and ditches his aircraft nearby, disobeying standing order
Standing order
standing order or standing orders may refer to:*standing order , instruction to a bank to pay a set amount at regular intervals from one account to another...
s. Pell strafes the North Korean infantrymen closing in and is shot down himself. The trio then make their way back to safety.
Along the way, they are assisted by a friendly Korean farmer (Victor Sen Yung
Victor Sen Yung
Victor Sen Yung was an American character actor. He was given billing under a variety of names, including Sen Yung, Sen Young, Victor Sen Young, and Victor Young.- Career :...
) and his family. When a North Korean patrol happens by, the Americans hide, but in their haste, a jacket is left behind. As a result, the family members are executed, but Saville and Pell avenge them.
Afterward, Abbott is to be transferred back to the U.S. to recuperate. His brush with death has changed his priorities; he remorsefully asks Kristina for another chance. She decides to go with him.
Cast
As appearing in screen credits (main roles identified):| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Robert Mitchum Robert Mitchum Robert Charles Durman Mitchum was an American film actor, author, composer and singer and is #23 on the American Film Institute's list of the greatest male American screen legends of all time... |
Major Cleve Saville |
| Robert Wagner Robert Wagner Robert John Wagner is an American actor of stage, screen, and television.A veteran of many films in the 1950s and 1960s, Wagner gained prominence in three American television series that spanned three decades: It Takes a Thief , Switch , and Hart to Hart... |
Lieutenant Ed Pell |
| Richard Egan Richard Egan (actor) Richard Egan was an American actor. In some films he is credited as Richard Eagan.-Career:Born in San Francisco, California, Egan served in the United States Army as a judo instructor during World War II... |
Colonel Dutch Imil |
| May Britt May Britt May Britt is a Swedish actress who had a brief career in the 1950s in Italy and later in the United States. She retired from the screen after she married Sammy Davis, Jr. in 1960.-Career:... |
Kristina "Kris" Abbott |
| Lee Philips Lee Philips Lee Philips was an actor and director.Philips' acting career started on Broadway, and peaked with a starring role as Michael Rossi in the film adaptation of Peyton Place opposite Lana Turner.... |
1st Lieutenant Carl Abbott |
| John Gabriel John Gabriel (actor) John Gabriel is an American actor who is best known for his role as Seneca Beaulac in Ryan's Hope , and for which he received an Emmy Award nomination in 1980. Gabriel, who played The Professor in the original, unaired Gilligan's Island pilot, is the father of Lost actress Andrea Gabriel... |
1st Lieutenant Corona |
| Stacy Harris | Colonel Monk Moncavage |
| Victor Sen Yung Victor Sen Yung Victor Sen Yung was an American character actor. He was given billing under a variety of names, including Sen Yung, Sen Young, Victor Sen Young, and Victor Young.- Career :... |
Korean farmer |
| Candace Lee | Korean child |
| Aki Aleong Aki Aleong Assing "Aki" Aleong is an American character actor and singer who has also been active in songwriting and musical production. He is probably best known for portraying Senator Hidoshi during the first season of the critically acclaimed series Babylon 5, as well as portraying Mr. Chiang, the aide to... |
MIG Pilot (uncredited) |
| John Doucette John Doucette John Doucette was a film character actor. He was a balding, husky man remembered for playing mob muscle and western bad guys in movies... |
Chief Master Sergeant |
| Nobu McCarthy Nobu McCarthy Nobu McCarthy was a Japanese Canadian actress, stage director, and fashion model.-Early life:McCarthy was born Nobu Atsumi in Ottawa, Ontario, the daughter of Yuki and Masaji Atsumi, a Japanese fashion designer and diplomatic attache stationed in Canada at the time. She was raised in Japan, where... |
Japanese Clerk (uncredited) |
| Rachel Stephens Rachel Stephens -Education:She has a master's degree from Indiana University in theatre arts. Prior to acting in movies she was a CBS research assistant and a television actress.-Theater:... |
Nurse (uncredited) |
| Kam Tong Kam Tong Kam Tong was a Chinese American actor best known for his role as Hey Boy on the television series Have Gun – Will Travel. He appeared in many movies, often as an uncredited Chinese, Japanese, or Filipino character... |
Red Chinese Officer (uncredited) |
Production
The flying scenes were principally filmed over the southwest United States. Operational F-86 Sabre fighters, which were still front line aircraft at the time, were used in the aerial sequences. The crash footage of a Super Sabre was used in one scene to represent the attempted landing of an F-86. USAF Republic F-84F Thunderstreak fighters were painted with Communist Bloc paint schemes and insignia to portray enemy MiG-15s. A C-130A Hercules was used as an aerial photography platform. Palm Beach AFB, FloridaFlorida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
was used during the production as the main location where aircraft used in the film were parked and maintained.
With this film, director Dick Powell completed his obligations to 20th Century Fox in his producing-directing contract, having already delivered The Enemy Below
The Enemy Below
The Enemy Below is a 1957 war film which tells the story of the battle between the captain of an American destroyer escort and the commander of a German U-boat during World War II. It stars Robert Mitchum, Curt Jürgens, David Hedison and Theodore Bikel. The movie was directed and produced by Dick...
.
Differences from the novel
Other than the names of some characters, the fact that they were flying F-86s against MiG-15s in the Korean War in 1952, and the final dogfight between Cleve and Casey Jones, there is minimal resemblance between the film and Salter's original novel. The character of Cleve Saville (or Cleve Connell in later editions) in the novel more resembles the character of Carl Abbott in the movie, and Abbott in the novel, a less prominent character, is a seasoned ace who outranks Saville. Saville is on his first combat tour in the novel, having done his World War II service in the Panama Canal ZonePanama Canal Zone
The Panama Canal Zone was a unorganized U.S. territory located within the Republic of Panama, consisting of the Panama Canal and an area generally extending 5 miles on each side of the centerline, but excluding Panama City and Colón, which otherwise would have been partly within the limits of...
. The friction between Saville and Pell continues throughout the novel and Pell is a much less likable character.
There are no pilots' wives as characters in the novel and therefore no love triangle subplots, and no mission where Saville crash-lands, or Pell is shot down, trying to help Abbott. On the return to base after Saville shoots down Casey Jones, his wingman is killed when he runs out of fuel and crashes just short of the runway, and as a gesture to the wingman and also to spite Pell who questions whether Casey Jones was actually shot down, Saville credits his wingman with the kill. Saville actually dies at the end of the novel, with only a single kill to his own credit.