Heartbreak Ridge Clint Eastwood Starring War Film

Directed and produced by Clint Eastwood, Heartbreak Ridge is a 1986 film starring Clint Eastwood and Mario Van Peebles. The film was distributed by Warner Bros and released on December 05, 1986 in the United States. Its budget was estimated to be around $15,000,000. The film is about the 1983 U.S. invasion of Grenada, West Indies. A portion of the movie was filmed on the island itself.

The Battle of Heartbreak Ridge, from where the title of the film was derived, was fought during the Korean War in 1951 by soldiers of the U.S. Army's 2nd Infantry Division, along with those of the French Battalion, against the North Korean Army. Clint Eastwood is Gunnery Sergeant Thomas Gunny Highway, a career Marine and combat veteran whose life has been surrounded by war. As he is approaching mandatory retirement from the Marines, he requests a transfer back to his old unit. While on a bus to join the new assignment, he meets 'Stitch' Jones (Mario Van Peebles), a flashy rock musician who steals his bus ticket and leaves him stranded. However, he manages to reach the base.

Major Malcolm Powers (Everett McGill), the Sergeant's new commanding officer, is an Annapolis graduate who has never been in a combat. He sees Highway as an anachronism in the new Marine Corps, and allocates him the reconnaissance platoon. This platoon comprises of undisciplined, untrained Marines, whom Highway forces to shape up. Heartbreak Ridge shows how the Marines go through rigorous training to shape up.

There is initial resentment among the Marines. Highway clashes repeatedly with Powers and Staff Sergeant Webster (Moses Gunn), due to his unorthodox training methods (he even fires off an AK-47 at his men to familiarize them with the weapon's unique sound). He is, however, supported by his old comrade-in-arms, Sergeant Major Choozoo (Arlen Dean Snyder) and his nominal superior, Lieutenant Ring (Boyd Gaines). After the Marines learn that Highway had been awarded the Medal of Honor in the Korean War in the Battle of Heartbreak Ridge, they develop new respect for him and close ranks against their common enemy.

Highway is successful professionally but on personal front, he has some problems. Aggie (Marsha Mason), his ex-wife, is working as a waitress in a local bar and is dating the owner, Roy Jennings (Bo Svenson). Highway tries to win Aggie back, who is bitter over their failed marriage. Hesitatingly, she reconciles with Highway. Meanwhile, the unit is activated for the invasion of Grenada.

Highway's platoon is dropped by helocast before the main force can arrive. Highway heroically commandeers his men on various missions – destroying an enemy machine gun nest, rescuing American students from a medical school and above all taking over a key position – a historical fort. Commanding officer, Colonel Meyers, commends them for a job well done. The platoon is met by a warm reception when they return to the U.S. and to top it all, Aggie is there to welcome Highway back. Heartbreak Ridge ends on a happy note.

Heartbreak Ridge has many events based on real life. A 2004 survey has shown that many people have joined the military because of the attitudes and ideals that this film portrays. Members of the Marine Corps have also vouched for the authenticity of this film. In short, the setting, the plot, the dialogues and the humor are wonderful and the movie is definitely worth watching. Wikipedia

Heartbreak Ridge Clint Eastwood Starring War Film