Hail the Conquering Hero
Having been discharged from the Marines for a hayfever condition before ever seeing action, Woodrow Lafayette Pershing Truesmith delays the return to his hometown, feeling that he is a failure. While in a moment of melancholy, he meets up with a group of Marines who befriend him and encourage him to return home to his mother by fabricating a story that he was wounded in battle with honorable discharge.
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📋 Film Details
| Year | 1944 |
| Country | United States of America |
| Genre | Comedy, War |
| Director | Preston Sturges |
| Runtime | 101 min. |
| Rating | TMDB: 7.2/10 (76 votes) |
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🎬 MovieFinder's Take
Preston Sturges constructs a satire on the machinery of fame and blind patriotism through a breakneck farce and dialogue sharpened to a point. The director works with the contrast between the guileless protagonist and the absurdity of the situation crafted by his well-meaning but reckless marine companions.
What lingers after the final reel is the film's clever duality—a surface of pure comedic chaos underpinned by a sly critique of the stories a community needs to believe. It’s a timeless reminder that heroes are often made, not born. — MovieFinder Editorial
Director: Preston Sturges
Best Watched
With friends, ready for witty dialogue and satirical twists.
🎭 Cast
Eddie Bracken
Woodrow Truesmith
Ella Raines
Libby
Raymond Walburn
Mayor Everett J. Noble
William Demarest
Sgt. Heppelfinger
Franklin Pangborn
Reception Committee Chairman
Elizabeth Patterson
Martha - Libby's Aunt
Georgia Caine
Mrs. Truesmith
Al Bridge
Political Boss
Freddie Steele
Bugsy
Bill Edwards
Forrest Noble
💬 Audience Reviews
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