Woodyanders Review of Back Door to Hell

Back Door to Hell (1964)

A solid and satisfying little World War II action potboiler

[8/10 · 13 June 2006]

Three American GIs stationed in the Philippines -- conflicted, reluctant lieutenant Craig (amiable Jimmie Rogers), sardonic wiseguy radioman Burnett (a pleasingly lively and quirky performance by a then unknown, pre-stardom Jack Nicholson), and gruff cynic Jersey (an appealingly rugged John Hackett, who also co-wrote the concise script) -- embark on a perilous recon mission against the Japanese. The GIs enlist the aid of a ragged guerrilla army led by the bitter Paco (superbly played by Conrad Maga) to assist them on their desperate mission. Complications ensue when their radio gets busted. Monte ("Two-Lane Blacktop," "Cockfighter") Hellman's tight, no-frills, straightforward direction maintains a snappy, steady pace throughout, creates an appropriately bleak and despairing tone, stages the sporadic stirring action sequences with considerable brio, and elicits sound acting from the entire cast. Kudos are also in order for Mike Velarde's moody score and Mars Rasca's crisp black and white photography. Nice downbeat ending, too. Shot on a shoestring budget along with the equally good and unjustly overlooked "Flight to Fury," this perfectly satisfying little World War II potboiler is well worth checking out.