Review: Douglas Sirk Classic 'Battle Hymn' Impressive on Blu-ray (and a Bit of a Slog)

Filmmaker Douglas Sirk's work was initially dismissed by critics and then, in large part thanks to the French, re-evaluated, with Sirk being crowned an expert at vibrant and colorful melodramas, especially his work in the 1950s.

Some of Sirk's most lauded works include "Magnificent Obsession," "All That Heaven Allows," "Written on the Wind," "The Tarnished Angels," and "Imitation of Life." The first three of those films starred Rock Hudson, and somewhere between "Wind" and "Life" director and star collaborated on the lesser-known film "Battle Hymn." (Sirk and Hudson made a total of eight films together – nine, if you count "Never Say Goodbye," which Sirk washed his hands of.)

In "Hymn," Hudson plays real life combat pilot Dean Hess who, after being responsible for the bombing of an orphanage in WW2, re-enlists to serve in the Korean conflict to try and make a difference and exorcize his child-murdering demons. Guilt galvanizes him into protecting a slew of orphans in Seoul, and the last 10 minutes of the film prove quite moving. Of course, there are the previous 100 minutes to get through... and it's a slog.

Upon the film's release in 1957, New York Times critic Bosley Crowther (who was already showing signs of stagnation, a decade before his infamous, out-of-touch "Bonnie and Clyde" review got him fired) called the movie,"'conventional," and wrote: "It follows religiously the line of mingled piety and pugnacity laid down for standard idealistic service films." Agreed. And, I would add, it's exceedingly dull.

Sirk was known for his sly criticism of American society, but that is scarcely present in "Battle Hymn." Hidden in all the sugary inspiration and combat moments that don't add up is not much more than a "War is hell on children" message.

Seeing Hudson preaching at a pulpit in the first few minutes of the film gave me the giggles, probably because of what we know about him now (unfair, I know). Also, the character's obsession with orphans, even contextualized, feels creepily odd.

On the positive side, the aerial sequences are terrific. And those Sirkian colors are there. And so is the melodrama – the overly sincere, syrupy melodrama. This is one of those pandering Hollywood portraits where "farm folk" are presented as far better people than most. Groan. (No offense to farm folk). It's also the kind of film that has its only Black character sing "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot." Double groan. (And I am contextualizing!)

Kino Lorber's admirable Blu-ray boasts a mostly-impressive visual and sound transfer of this mostly mediocre film.

Special Features include the theatrical trailer and film critic Nick Pinkerton's audio commentary, which is always refreshing and, in this case, sometimes more interesting than the actual film.

"Battle Hymn" is available on Blu-Ray from Kino Lorber.