This film delivered just what I needed on a Saturday afternoon at my local cinema in the 1950's when I was 9-years old. Obviously the politics behind the whole thing weren't a big focus for me back then although the action was.
Seeing this film 50 years later, I can see the rough spots in the story and in the acting, but the location is authentic and the action scenes are still spectacular if a little bloodless by today's standards - or lack of them.
Greg Dickson (George Montgomery) returns to his family plantation in the Philippines to sell it after Huk guerrillas have killed his father. He meets up with a boyhood friend Bart Rogers (John Baer), his wife Cindy (Mona Freeman) and Bart's father, Stephen (James Bell). The Rogers are determined to stick it out and hold off the Huk.
Although I now know a little more about the Hukbalahap Rebellion, not that much about the Huk's motivation is explained in the film. They tend to turn up to spoil the fun just as Greg seems to be putting moves on Bart's wife Cindy.
Greg who is a breezy character, finds that Bart has issues stemming from wartime experiences. Finally, the back-stories are pushed aside and the Huks attack. After a final battle, Greg changes his mind about leaving the Philippines, and stays to help the locals rebuild their lives.
The action scenes are the stars of the show. The Filipino extras threw themselves into their roles enthusiastically. The scene as the canoes head towards the ferry transporting civilians to safety rivals the similar battle on the water in the lavish "The Sand Pebbles" 10-years later.
George Montgomery was an actor I new well during the 50's, his movies were perfect Saturday afternoon matinée fare, I probably knew him better than Marlon Brando at the time.
What an interesting guy, not so much for his acting - he was stretched in the scenes where he had to show too much emotion - but for the other things he did. He was an artist and a craftsman; a sculpture and a cabinetmaker, and he was pretty good. He had also been a heavyweight boxer, he was a big dude, and could obviously handle himself.
"Huk!" doesn't avoid too many clichés, but with its authentic locations and terrific action, it was a cut or two above some of the more studio bound adventure movies of the day.
