Product: Hellfighters [VHS] (1968)
Rating: 5.0
An Underrated Gem!
The storyline of this movie is based upon the feats of Red Adair during a 1962 Sahara Desert fire that burned from November 13, 1961 to April 28, 1962. The screenwriters changed the names, dates and locations and came up with "Hellfighters". I remember reading statements at the time of its release from Red Adair, Asger "Boots" Hansen and Ed "Coots" Matthews how in their opinion John Wayne's portrayal embodied the spirit of the men who fought the well fires; and as technical advisers were not disappointed at the realism of the blazes. This film has a true "Family" feeling, it is quite believable that these characters and the actors who portray them are especially close. For this film John Wayne surrounded himself with people with whom he had worked before; and counted as friends, Jim Hutton (The Green Berets), Bruce Cabot - appeared in eleven films, Vera Miles - who he worked with under John Ford, and Edward Faulkner who appeared in five. Taking into consideration when this movie was released, November 1968, I have always found it to be very enjoyable; and one that I did not hesitate to purchase in DVD format, I highly recommend it to everyone.