Hell And Back Again
The highest grossing Universal film for 20 years until Jaws, To Hell And Back, is a true story based on the autobiography of America’s most decorated war hero.
This true-life WWII account of Audie Murphy stars Murphy himself and recounts his incredible courage and valour displayed in action, ultimately earning him the Congressional Medal of Honour.
The much-lauded biopic To Hell And Back will be released for the first time on UK DVD on 30 November 2009 courtesy of Second Sight Films.
Joining the Army at just 18, baby-faced Murphy was modest and self-effacing, but also a natural leader, quickly rising through the ranks as the US military fought in Africa and then advanced through Italy, France and into Germany. It was for his outstanding bravery in the face of heavy German attack in 1945 that the foot-soldier was awarded the Medal of Honour.
Jumping onto a burning, abandoned tank, injured Murphy singlehandedly saved his company by successfully repelling the Germans with the tank’s machine gun.
After being spotted as a potential Hollywood star by acting legend James Cagney, Murphy went on to appear in assorted bit parts until his first major starring role in Bad Boy.
He notably appeared in The Red Badge Of Courage before starring in To Hell And Back and later carving out his niche as a Western star three quarters of all his acting roles were in this genre.
When Universal optioned Murphy’s book to make the film, 10 years later, he initially declined to play himself, recommending Tony Curtis instead. However, the producers eventually persuaded him to star in the picture and, due to this extra level of intimacy and personal insight into the reality and horrors of war, the film was an enormous commercial and critical success.