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Halls of Montezuma
See it – One of the top 10 World War 2 movies from a pure combat perspective. With a great cast including Richard Widmark, Karl Malden, Jack Palance, and Robert Wagner, this is an action-packed, heart-wrenching, and inspiring movie. 3.5 action rating
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Hanna
3 action rating
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Hang 'Em High
See it - 3 action rating
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Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters
About what you would expect. An R-rated Van Helsing. 2.5 out of 5 action rating.
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Haywire
3 action rating
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Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison
It is a little misleading to call this a war classic. War drama classic maybe, but make no mistake, you will not be watching an action movie. “Swiss Family Robinson” has twice as much action, and to be honest is even a better all around movie. Starring Robert Mitchum, this is the story of a U.S. marine, who after surviving a sea battle, is washed up on an island. Of course the film never shows the sea battle. After discovering that the island is inhabited by nobody but a devout nun, they decide to wait to be rescued. But their plan is complicated when the Japanese land on the island. There’s a lot of sneeking around, but really no action worth speaking of. 0.5 action rating.
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Hellbent for Leather
See it – If it wasn’t for an abrupt and rather unsatisfying ending, this would be Audie Murphy’s best western. With an action-packed pace that rivals most other better-known westerns, this “chase western” never fails to entertain. Murphy plays an innocent man who is mistaken for an infamous outlaw. The only man who knows what the real outlaw looks like turns out to be a crooked deputy who just wants the credit for killing someone famous. Since he couldn’t catch the real outlaw, he’ll stop at nothing to kill the man everyone thinks is the outlaw. 3.5 action rating
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Hell to Eternity
See it – This movie is part “Flags of our Fathers” and part “Sergeant York.” You’ll see the similarities to both. If all you care about is the action, you might want to fast-forward through the first half of the movie. The last hour, however, is solid action. It contains some of the best WWII combat scenes you’re going to see from this time period. Jeffrey Hunter stars in this intense, bloody war film about an American soldier who speaks fluent Japanese and uses it to its full advantage. 3.5 action rating
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Hell is for Heroes
See it – What do you get when you combine Steve McQueen, James Coburn, and Fess Parker? A freakin good little WWII movie. It is action-packed, and the intelligent and witty screenplay gives it a pretty modern feel even today. It is a truly underrated film that I never get tired of watching. The old-fashioned, heroic ending is tragic and perfect. 3.5 action rating
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Hercules (2014)
2.5 out of 5 action rating
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The Heroes of Telemark
See it – This movie tries its best to be the next “Where Eagles Dare.” It’s not quite as action-packed, but it is still a great old war movie about a secret mission in Nazi-occupied Telemark, Norway. Why should you see it? Well I’m glad you asked. Great performances by Kirk Douglas and Richard Harris are one reason. The other reason is that we get to see piles of Nazis die via boat, train, automobile and snow ski. 3.5 action rating
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High Plains Drifter
1.5 action rating
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High Noon
1.5 action rating
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The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
What's better than a band of warrior dwarves battling an army of goblins in an underground fortress? Nothing, that's what. Middle Earth is back and better than ever. Expectations... surpassed.
4 out of 5 action rating. |
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Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
4 out of 5 action rating
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The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies
4 out of 5 action rating
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Hombre
See it – This movie has some of the best dialogue you’ll ever find in a western. Which is good because there is a lot of talking. But after a pretty slow first half, the movie heats up in the second half. It stars Paul Newman in a rare old-fashioned western role. He plays a white man who lives amongst the Indians, and is looked upon with contempt by the white townsfolk. But when he embarks on a dangerous stagecoach journey through rugged country, the fellow passengers look to him to save the day. This film is part “Shalako” part “Navajo Joe,” and part “Stagecoach.” And as usual, you can’t go wrong with Paul Newman. 3 action rating
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Homefront
2.5 out of 5 action rating
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Hondo
See it – One of John Wayne’s top 10 westerns. With a great story written by Louis L’Amour, it’s always been a mystery to me why so many people haven’t seen this movie. This is classic cowboys vs. Indians. Wayne plays a dispatch rider for the U.S. cavalry, who with the help of his trusty dog, faces a deadly yet honorable foe in the Apache. Circle the Wagons! 3.5 action rating
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The Horse Soldiers
See it - 3 action rating
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Hour of the Gun
There have been many westerns made about Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, and the gunfight at the OK Corral. According to the opening credits, this is the “true” story. What sets this story apart, other than the fact that Wyatt Earp is played by James Garner, is that the movie starts at the OK Corral and recounts the events that follow. Usually the OK Corral is at the end. The action in this one is about average for a western, and Robert Ryan is about average as the “bad guy.” Nothing really stands out about this movie. It’s not bad, but it ranks behind other Wyatt Earp movies such as “Tombstone,” “The Gunfight at the OK Corral,” and “My Darling Clementine.” So I’d only watch it if you were interested in the events beyond the OK Corral. 2.5 action rating.
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How the West Was Won
See it – This epic western is magnificent. Spanning several generations, it tells multiple stories of one family’s adventures in the wild west. One of the greatest casts ever assembled, it features, Jimmy Stewart, Gregory Peck, Henry Fonda, Richard Widmark, and many others. It’s a great story, and you action buffs will enjoy a river bandit fight, and Indian fight, and a superb train fight finale. 3 action rating.
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The Hunger Games
3 out of 5 action rating
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The Hurt Locker
3.5 action rating
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