Yesterday's Enemy (1959)

Set in WWII Burma, a squad of British soldiers surrounded by the Japanese army are lost in the jungle as they attempt to reach brigade headquarters. They stumble upon a nearly deserted village where they will make a last stand. Based on a teleplay by Peter R. Newman (who later adapted it for the stage) and directed by Val Guest (DAY THE EARTH CAUGHT FIRE). This gritty WWII "war is hell" drama was an unusual departure for Hammer films, better known for their horror and sci-fi offerings. Shot in stark B&W wide screen by Arthur Grant (THE DEVIL RIDES OUT) and with no musical score, the film doesn't hold back on the brutality but it doesn't exploit it either. The movie has an almost surreal feel to it, most probably because the entire jungle is set on a studio soundstage. As the regiment's Captain, Stanley Baker gives an excellent performance as a soldier who'll defy all morality and ethics including the rules of the Geneva Convention if it means saving lives and getting information. He's a contrast to the more humanistic priest (Guy Rolfe) and war correspondent (Leo McKern) who decry his actions as murder. It's a pity that the film's last three minutes are pretty rank. After all that grit, the sentiment leaves a bad taste in one's mouth. With Gordon Jackson, Philip Ahn, Percy Herbert, Bryan Forbes and Edwina Carroll.