In Too Late the Hero as in The Dirty Dozen, director Robert Aldrich once again assembles a motley squad of reluctant heroes. Because he can speak Japanese, Cliff Robertson is recruited for a mission led by Denholm Elliott to knock out a Japanese observation post on a Pacific island. Skeptical enlisted man Michael Caine and Robertson survive to match wits with the Japanese commandant.
Too Late the Hero was one of six collaborations between director Robert Aldrich and writer Lukas Heller. Other included What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962), Hush…Hush, Sweet Charlotte (1964), and The Killing of Sister George (1968).
production details
USA | Cinerama | 145 minutes | 1970
Director: Robert Aldrich
Script: Robert Aldrich, Lukas Heller, Robert Sherman,
cast
Sam Kydd as C/Sgt.
Ronald Fraser as Private Campbell
Percy Herbert as Sgt. Johnstone
Michael Caine as Pvt. Tosh Hearne
Harry Andrews as Col. Thompson
Ian Bannen as Pvt. Jock Thornton
Cliff Robertson as Lt. Sam Lawson
Denholm Elliott as Captain Hornsby
Lance Percival as Cpl. McLean
Henry Fonda as Capt. John G Nolan
Ken Takakura as Major Yamaguchi
Patrick Jordan as Sgt. Major
William Beckley as Pvt. Currie
Martin Horsey as Pvt. Griffiths
Don Knight as Pvt. Connolly
Harvey Jason as Pvt. Scott
Roger Newman as Pvt. Riddle
Michael Parsons as Pvt. Rafferty
Sean MacDuff as Pvt. Rogers
Frank Webb as Ensign