War movie fans will want to check out this 1951 classic, which critics have hailed. The Steel Helmet is an independent war film directed, written, and produced by Samuel Fuller during the Korean War. It was the first American film to be made about the war, and also the first of several war films to be made by Fuller. The cast includes Gene Evans, Robert Hutton, Steve Brodie, James Edwards, and Richard Loo.
The Steel Helmet’s synopsis reads: “In the early days of the Korean War, gruff US Sgt. Zack (Evans) is retreating to safety after an enemy attack wipes out his unit. Rescued and guided through the jungle by a friendly Korean orphan (William Chun), Zack runs into an African-American medic (Edwards) and a platoon led by Lt. Driscoll (Brodie), a by-the-book officer. Together, this unlikely band of brothers make their way to an abandoned Buddhist temple, where they stage a desperate attempt to fend off the enemy.”
Upon its release, the film was met with critical acclaim and much praise due to Fuller’s direction. It has been hailed by critics, and achieved an impressive 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Variety magazine’s review reads: “The Steel Helmet pinpoints the Korean fighting in a grim, hard-hitting tale that is excellently told.”
Adding that it “serves to introduce Gene Evans as the sergeant, a vet of World War II, a tough man who is interested in staying alive, and hardened to the impact of warfare. Robert Hutton, conscientious objector in the last war but now willing to fight against communism; Steve Brodie, the lieutenant who used pull to stay out of combat previously; James Edwards, the Negro medic, and Richard Loo, a heroic Nisei, are the other principals who add to the rugged realism.”
Bosley Crowther of The New York Times said: “For an obviously low-budget picture that was shot in a phenomenally short time, Samuel Fuller’s metallic The Steel Helmet has some surprisingly good points.”
He praised Fuller as he “sidestepped the romantic war clichés” and did well to “create something like the reported climate” of the Korean War.
The Steel Helmet is available to stream on YouTube TV.