The Hunters Reviews

Superb aviation footage is what takes this film out of the ordinary and sends it skyward. Set in Korea in 1952, at the apex of the euphemistically named "Police Action," it's the story of Mitchum, Wagner, and Phillips, with a love triangle including Britt tossed in. The American pilots have been assigned to dogfight the Chinese "volunteer" pilots (who are in Russian MIGs), but the Americans are not allowed to chase the enemy into North Korea. Mitchum is the leader, a tough bird with absolutely no fear in his heart. His diametrical opposite, Phillips, is so frightened that he begins drinking whenever he is supposed to fly a mission. Mitchum is a veteran of many WW II battles and has seen it all. Britt, who is married to Phillips, asks Mitchum to take a personal interest in the young man, and Mitchum promises he will. Meanwhile, Mitchum and Britt have some romantic trysts in Japan (replete with the lovely scenery of famous locations). Phillips is shot down by the enemy and crash-lands behind enemy lines. Since they cannot go there officially, Mitchum and Wagner make an unofficial foray into the area to rescue Phillips. It's on this mission that Wagner, an overly egocentric type, learns the meaning of humility, and Phillips finds strength in himself that he didn't know existed. In the end, Britt opts for husband Phillips, and Mitchum remains in Korea to fight the battle to its conclusion. Directed by Dick Powell for maximum action effect, THE HUNTERS was an exciting wartime adventure that had just enough ground-level scenes to make the aerial stuff that much more effective.