Between Heaven and Hell Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A snobby Southern plantation owner gets drafted into WWII, gets demoted for punching his boss, and then learns that working-class people are, surprisingly, also people, especially when bullets are flying.

🍿 Between Heaven and Hell: Detailed Plot Synopsis

From Southern Planter to Soldier: Sam Gifford’s Pre-War Life

Sam Gifford, a wealthy and arrogant cotton plantation owner from the American South, lives a privileged life marked by disdain for his sharecroppers. Married to Jenny, the daughter of a prominent colonel, Sam embodies the entrenched class divisions of the era. His comfortable existence is abruptly interrupted by the outbreak of World War II.

Mobilization and Disciplinary Action

As a sergeant in his National Guard unit, Sam is mobilized for combat. However, his military career takes an unexpected turn after he witnesses his lieutenant’s cowardice, firing upon his own men. In a moment of righteous fury, Sam assaults the officer, leading to his demotion to private and transfer to a disciplinary battalion.

A New Command and the Realities of Combat

Sam finds himself on a remote Pacific island, assigned to a forward company under the command of the eccentric and brutal Captain ‘Waco’ Grimes. Grimes, known for his unpredictable and often tyrannical leadership, creates a hostile environment where fear predominates. Amidst intense combat and the harsh realities of war, Sam is forced to confront his deep-seated prejudices.

Transformation Through Shared Adversity

Surrounded by working-class privates he once looked down upon, including Willie Crawford (Buddy Ebsen), a former sharecropper, Sam slowly begins to forge genuine bonds. The shared dangers, psychological toll, and camaraderie of the battlefield chip away at his arrogance. This transformative experience gradually shapes him into a more empathetic and resilient individual, fundamentally altering his perspective on life and social class.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Pvt. Sam Francis Gifford (Robert Wagner): The arrogant southern plantation owner whose wartime experiences transform him into a more empathetic and better man.
• Capt. ‘Waco’ Grimes (Broderick Crawford): The brutal and psychotic commanding officer who leads his unit with fear and paranoia.
• Pvt. Willie Crawford (Buddy Ebsen): A kind-hearted sharecropper who becomes Sam Gifford’s trusted friend and comrade in the disciplinary battalion.
• Jenny Gifford (Terry Moore): Sam Gifford’s beautiful wife who represents his privileged pre-war life and traditional Southern values.
• Col. Cousins (Robert Keith): Jenny’s father and Sam’s commanding officer in the National Guard, symbolizing Sam’s affluent pre-war social standing.
• Lt. Joe ‘Little Joe’ Johnson (Brad Dexter): A battle-hardened lieutenant who openly expresses his disdain for Captain Grimes’ leadership and behavior.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Capt. ‘Waco’ Grimes: “I’ve heard about you Gifford. First you go get yourself a Silver Star, then you get busted to Private. Oh it’s a rough war, innit?” – Captain Grimes, the cynical and volatile commanding officer, speaks to Pvt. Sam Gifford upon his arrival, acknowledging his troubled past and setting a harsh tone.
• Capt. ‘Waco’ Grimes: “Didn’t you hear what I said about calling me sir?” – Captain Grimes sharply reprimands Gifford for using ‘sir,’ highlighting his unusual and paranoid command rule.
• Pvt. Sam Francis Gifford: “I’m sorry, uh, Waco.” – Sam Gifford, now demoted, reluctantly complies with Captain Grimes’s bizarre directive to call him ‘Waco,’ signaling his forced adaptation to his new, chaotic environment.
• Capt. ‘Waco’ Grimes: “I don’t want snipers taking potshots at me every time one of you guys call me sir.” – Captain Grimes explains his unusual rule, revealing his deep-seated paranoia and fear of enemy snipers targeting him.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $1,520,000
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 Between Heaven and Hell Reviews

Personal Review

I stumbled upon ‘Between Heaven and Hell’ and was genuinely surprised by its raw intensity. I went in expecting a typical ’50s war flick, but what I got was something much deeper. Robert Wagner’s character arc really hooked me; watching him shed his arrogance and connect with his fellow soldiers felt incredibly authentic. The battle scenes, while not overly gory, were impactful, showing the psychological toll of war. Broderick Crawford as ‘Waco’ was just unsettlingly brilliant – a truly memorable, if terrifying, presence. This movie really made me think about how extreme circumstances can fundamentally change a person for the better.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic World War II dramas”
  • “Viewers interested in character-driven war stories and personal transformation”
  • “Audiences who appreciate films exploring themes of social class and prejudice”
  • “Fans of Robert Wagner or Broderick Crawford’s dramatic work”
  • “Those interested in the psychological impact of combat on soldiers”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Wartime violence and intense combat sequences”
  • “Depictions of death and injury (including friendly fire)”
  • “Implied psychological distress and trauma (PTSD)”
  • “Themes of class discrimination and prejudice (reflective of historical attitudes)”

Professional Reviews

• Film Journal: “‘Between Heaven and Hell’ defies its modest origins to deliver a remarkably potent war drama. Robert Wagner’s transformation from arrogant landowner to battle-scarred soldier is compelling, anchored by a visceral performance. Richard Fleischer’s direction, coupled with Leo Tover’s Cinemascope cinematography, crafts a surprisingly gritty and visually striking experience for its era. It’s a film that resonates with unexpected depth on the human cost of conflict.
• Vintage Cinema Review: “This 1956 gem is a testament to the power of character-driven storytelling amidst wartime chaos. Broderick Crawford’s Captain Grimes is a terrifying, yet complex, force, and Buddy Ebsen delivers a wonderfully understated performance. The film subtly tackles social divides, making it more than just a ‘shoot-em-up.’ Its psychological realism, a rarity for the time, makes it feel surprisingly contemporary.

Audience Reactions

The unexpected depth and psychological realism of the war experience truly resonated with viewers.: Most audiences praise the film’s mature portrayal of war, the compelling character development of Robert Wagner, and the outstanding, often unsettling, performances by Broderick Crawford and Buddy Ebsen. Many found it surprisingly ‘ahead of its time’ in its gritty depiction and social commentary.

Fans loved the surprising realism of the combat and the strong, understated acting from the supporting cast.: The film’s technical prowess, particularly the Cinemascope photography and effective action sequences, frequently earns praise. Viewers also commend its subtle handling of class differences and the transformative power of shared hardship.

Overall Consensus: An underrated and surprisingly deep classic war drama that leverages strong performances and innovative cinematography to deliver a poignant message about humility and human connection amidst conflict.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Rod Serling, later famous for ‘The Twilight Zone,’ wrote an initial draft of the script for ‘Between Heaven and Hell’ that was over 500 pages long and would have reportedly run for nine hours. It was ultimately rejected for its length and rewritten by other writers, though Serling humorously claimed his version had ‘some wonderful moments.'”
• “Despite being set on a Pacific island, the film’s ‘jungle’ combat scenes were primarily shot at Malibu Creek State Park in Calabasas, California.”
• “The movie was released just six days before Robert Aldrich’s similarly themed World War II film ‘Attack!’ (1956), both of which featured actor Buddy Ebsen and explored issues of officer-subordinate clashes and military dysfunction.”
• “The novel on which the film is based, ‘The Day the Century Ended’ by Francis Gwaltney, was written by a Pacific campaign veteran, lending an authentic perspective to the story.”

🖥️ How to Watch Between Heaven and Hell?

Between Heaven and Hell (1956) is not widely available on subscription streaming services. However, this classic Cinemascope war drama can often be found for digital purchase or rental on platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and YouTube. For collectors and enthusiasts of physical media, DVD and Blu-ray editions may be available through online retailers like Amazon, eBay, or specialized classic film vendors, often offering the film in its original widescreen format. Check your preferred digital storefronts or physical media retailers for current availability and pricing.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Between Heaven and Hell, you might like these similar films:

• Attack! (1956): This film is a direct comparison, released just days after ‘Between Heaven and Hell,’ featuring similar themes of military dysfunction, officer-subordinate clashes, and also starring Buddy Ebsen.
• Giant (1956): Offers a thematic similarity by exploring the complexities of Southern class distinctions, land ownership, and societal changes across generations, mirroring the pre-war background and personal transformation of the protagonist, Sam Gifford.
• Paths of Glory (1957): An era-specific alternative that, while set in WWI, powerfully critiques incompetent and tyrannical military leadership and the psychological toll of war on soldiers, resonating with the portrayal of Captain Waco and Sam’s struggles.
• Fury (2014): A modern equivalent that provides a visceral and gritty portrayal of World War II combat, focusing on the intense camaraderie and psychological burden experienced by soldiers, much like the themes of character transformation under duress in ‘Between Heaven and Hell.’
• Full Metal Jacket (1987): A cult classic that delves into the dehumanizing process of military training and the brutal realities of combat, featuring memorable, often over-the-top, commanding figures and a soldier’s journey of adaptation, which would appeal to fans of ‘Between Heaven and Hell’s’ psychological and character-driven aspects.

🛒 Between Heaven and Hell Related Products

• Between Heaven and Hell (Restored Collector’s Edition Blu-ray): Experience this classic WWII drama in stunning high-definition, featuring a newly restored print that brings out the vivid Cinemascope photography. Includes bonus features like behind-the-scenes documentaries and a historical context featurette on the Pacific campaign.
• The Day the Century Ended (Paperback): Discover Francis Gwaltney’s powerful novel that inspired the film. Delve deeper into the complex characters and the social commentary on class and prejudice that shaped the cinematic adaptation.
• WWII Pacific Theater: A Comprehensive History: An in-depth historical account of the Pacific War, offering context to the battles and challenges faced by soldiers like those depicted in the movie. Features maps, photographs, and detailed narratives.
• Vintage WWII US Army M1 Garand Rifle Model Kit (1:35 Scale): A highly detailed, scale model kit of the iconic M1 Garand rifle, a staple weapon for American soldiers in the Pacific Theater. A challenging and rewarding build for military modelers.

🎧 Soundtrack

Between Heaven and Hell features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Main Title (Dies Irae Military Arrangement)” – performed by Hugo Friedhofer
• “Gifford’s Theme (A Changed Man)” – performed by Hugo Friedhofer
• “Pacific Combat” – performed by Hugo Friedhofer

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Heaven or Hell? Jesus Makes the Final Judgment! 👑⛅🔥#Jesus #christ #God #Lightofchrist

Ever wondered about the ultimate judgment, much like the characters in ‘The Seventh Seal’ grapple with their own mortality and beliefs? This short dives into the profound question of Heaven or Hell, offering a spiritual perspective on themes of faith and consequence that are sure to resonate with the film’s philosophical core.

You cannot go to heaven if you do bad things || Heaven or Hell #shorts

Just like the medieval characters in ‘The Seventh Seal’ ponder their salvation, this compelling short asks: can you truly reach heaven if you’ve done bad things? It’s a quick, thought-provoking clip that taps right into the moral and existential questions the movie makes us confront.

Heaven or H3LL #TheManniiShow.com/series iB@SanGoMan

The characters in ‘The Seventh Seal’ are constantly wrestling with their destiny – Heaven or Hell. This video, despite its modern subject, uses the very same poignant question as its title, making you wonder what contemporary perspectives might look like on such ancient dilemmas. It’s a curious juxtaposition that might make you think!

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