A gritty, more realistic, war movie of human drama, ahead of its time

TOO LATE THE HERO (1970) (TLTH) is surely a unique war movie that defied the typical movies of the period with its grittiness, non-emphasis on patriotism, and instead derives its plotline and story from the strengths and weaknesses of the main characters, British and American soldiers involved. This movie does not depict the British Army and the Americans in the most positive light, but that's why I like it so much. It is not unrealistic spit and polish; we see dirty, grimey, grubby, demoralized, and frightened British soldiers, still regrouping after their disasterous defeat at Singapore, and the Americans, compelled to dispatch an unprofessional, slapdash lieutenant to aid the British in a long-range recon and sabotage patrol which is actually for the benefit of the American navy. The American naval lieutenant (equivalent to Army and Marine captain) surprisingly shows tactical competence and battle saavy but his refusal to assist the British patrol leader, Captain Hornsby, calls into question his own courage. This war movie reminds me of WHEN TRUMPETS FADE (1999) and THEY ALL CAME TO CORDURA (1970) all war movies a character study in courage and cowardice, varying shades of both, sometimes in the same man.

Maybe the British won't like the way their soldiers are depicted in TLTH. But this movie gives greater credit in showing the Brit soldiers as completely human, from different parts of the UK with different cultures and accents, representing the common British folk, each with his own personality, strengths and weaknesses.