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Hell in Korea

Hell in Korea

And They Blended That Courage and Their Cowardice to Fight an Enemy for 72 Nightmare Hours!

195680 minNot RatedMidcredits score: 46th percentile of all films
Director
Julian Amyes
Starring
George Baker, Stanley Baker, Harry Andrews, Ronald Lewis

Based on real events, A Hill in Korea charts the fortunes of a small group of British soldiers serving in the Korean War. Out on a routine patrol, the soldiers find that Chinese troop movements have cut them off from their own lines. They try to fight their way back to safety but with the enemy surrounding them on all sides, the prospects look bleak. Facing almost insurmountable odds, they decide to stand a fight.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Hell in Korea?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove does not list Hell in Korea on any major US streaming service.

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Hell in Korea?

Hell in Korea earns 2 badges, led by Bittersweet and Broadly Agreed.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood

Reception

Is Hell in Korea worth watching?

Hell in Korea's Midcredits score is the 46th percentile of all films, from 744 ratings across 3 sources. 42% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

46th percentile

Better received than 46% of films

44th percentile among Drama40th percentile among 1950s
Acclaim (how much people like it)51st
Approval (how many liked it)41st

62 /100

51st percentile of all films

50th percentile among Drama45th percentile among 1950s

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 6.3 — solid but not unanimous.

Approval

How many liked it

42% liked it

41st percentile of all films

37th percentile among Drama36th percentile among 1950s
42% rated it 7–1058% rated it 1–6

Reach

How many have seen it

48th percentile

744 ratings across platforms

52nd percentile among Drama54th percentile among 1950s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 19% in 30 days

What reviewers say

Common ground

A low-budget but competently made British war film with an impressive cast, though it follows a conventional formula.

Fans praised

  • Strong ensemble cast of British actors including future stars
  • Gritty realism and tense action sequences
  • Economical pacing and atmospheric black-and-white cinematography

What stands out

Acting78

strong ensemble cast of British stalwarts and future stars

Tension76

sustained suspense in siege situation

Cinematography73

crisp black-and-white, sombre lighting, atmospheric

Atmosphere72

tense, brooding, claustrophobic war mood

Pacing72

brisk 80-minute runtime, fast-paced action

Characters55

potent dynamics but only a few characters developed; some found them unlikable

Plot and story50

simple and formulaic siege narrative, no surprises

Originality30

clichéd and could be set in any war

Watch experience

What is Hell in Korea like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Tense and gripping: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want something tense that holds you to the end.

It is intense, never lets up and leaves you bittersweet.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Nothing out of the ordinary.

What it feels like

Tense and gripping.

The answer rests on this: Moods
TenseDreadWarm
Heaviest: late
Wry humor: Amused and slightly dry about it.
Register
Brooding: Heavy, inward, weather-beaten.Brutal · 7% of filmsWry · 7% of films: Amused and slightly dry about it.
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
TonePlayed straight as a gritty war drama, with moments of dark humour emerging from the soldiers' banter but never undercutting the tension.
The rideThe film maintains sustained tension as the platoon is hunted and besieged, with brief moments of camaraderie providing respite before the grim climax at the temple.
StructureA straightforward beginning-middle-end structure: the platoon is deployed on patrol, becomes cut off, and then holds out at the temple.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Bittersweet.

BittersweetRousing · 10% of films
Why it leaves you this wayThe film leaves a sense of the cost of survival in war alongside admiration for the soldiers' endurance under pressure.
How it ends · evidence
Bittersweet ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).MonsterInvasion
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21% (this title): Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% (this title) · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Overcoming the monster: A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated. · Invasion: An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).

21% of films fit this archetype

Why this archetypeA British recon platoon, cut off during the Korean War retreat, evades Chinese forces and takes refuge in a temple; the story is driven by survival against an overwhelming external threat.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfSurvival
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% (this title) · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15% (this title): Survival 17% (this title) · War 1% (this title) · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Survival

SurvivalWar · 1% of filmsDuty · 2% of films
Observes its theme: Presents its theme neutrally, declining to judge.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Ensemble lead
How it treats its themeThe film follows a platoon fighting to stay alive against a numerically superior enemy while also exploring the pressures of military duty and the internal conflicts among conscripts and regulars.
StanceThe film presents the survival struggle of a small platoon without overt judgment, focusing on character dynamics and the immediate experience of being under siege rather than making a larger moral argument.

The world

ContemporaryRuralWildernessInstitutionalRealistic
Orchestral classicalSupportive music · original score · Malcolm Arnold
SettingKorean War, 1951, a hill with a Buddhist temple under siege
MusicScore by Malcolm Arnold, who later won an Oscar for The Bridge on the River Kwai.

Content guide

Is Hell in Korea okay for kids?

Not Rated

Hell in Korea is not rated. As of October 2, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at mild (33/100), sexual content at minimal (0/100), language at intense (67/100), drug and alcohol content at minimal (0/100) and frightening material at mild (33/100). None has enough votes to rank yet.

Overall
Moderate · all five categories
not ranked
Violence & Gore
Mild
too few votes to rank (1 vote)
Sex & Nudity
None / Minimal
too few votes to rank (1 vote)
Profanity
Intense
too few votes to rank (1 vote)
Alcohol & Drugs
None / Minimal
too few votes to rank (1 vote)
Frightening / Intense
Mild
too few votes to rank (1 vote)

Too few votes to rank this title overall (5 votes across 5 categories; ranking needs 10 in at least three).

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Hell in Korea have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Hell in Korea?

Cast

George Baker
as The National Servicemen: Lt. Butler
Stanley Baker
as The Regular Soldiers: Cpl. Ryker
Harry Andrews
as The Regular Soldiers: Sgt. Payne
Ronald Lewis
as The National Servicemen: Pte. Wyatt
Harry Landis
as The National Servicemen: Pte. Rabin
Michael Medwin
as The National Servicemen: The Anti-Tank Team, Pte. Docker
Victor Maddern
as The National Servicemen: The Anti-Tank Team, Pte. Lindop
Stephen Boyd
as The National Servicemen: Pte. Sims
Robert Brown
as Pte O'Brien
Percy Herbert
as The Regular Soldiers: Pte. Moon

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Hell in Korea?

Movies like Hell in Korea include Zulu (1964), Bat*21 (1988) and 71: Into the Fire (2010). Of the 12 closest matches, most are films about duty, and several are invasion stories.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

11 of these 12 share its subject: war. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Hell in Korea?

1.9K other films share the rarest tag below, premise: squad mission. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.