The Walls of Hell

Gerardo DeLeon & Eddie Romero – 1964 – Philippines  

Co-directed by frequent partners DeLeon and Romero, this is a lean, exciting and atmospheric combat film – one of many made by Romero and company before switching to horror – depicting the last days of Japanese occupation of Manila in World War II.  Lt. Jim Sorenson (Jock Mahoney), leader of some ragtag American soldiers left to clean up the remaining Japanese who refuse to surrender, butts heads with Philippine resistance fighter Mardo Maglaya (Fernando Poe, Jr.) in the effort to overtake a Japanese stronghold and lead the surviving civilians of the area to safety.  With its spare and economical style, DeLeon and Romero make the most of their authentic locations, including un-rebuilt ruins from the war years and underground tunnels that allow for striking lighting effects.  Like the best of many such low-budget movies, The Walls of Hell is able to comment on controversial issues of colonialism and the less-heroic aspects of war by veiling itself as a grade-B programmer.