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Heartbreak Ridge

Play trailer Poster for Heartbreak Ridge R Released Dec 5, 1986 2h 9m War Comedy Drama Action Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
68% Tomatometer 28 Reviews 74% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
Marine Sgt. Thomas Highway (Clint Eastwood) is a decorated veteran of two wars. On his last posting before retirement, he is surrounded by officers with no combat experience who view him as an odd, even dangerous, holdover. Highway is assigned to train a group of undisciplined recruits including Cpl. Stitch Jones (Mario Van Peebles), a slick hustler who has previously encountered Highway. As the old soldier prepares his men for a war they don't believe will come, the U.S. invades Grenada.
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Heartbreak Ridge

Heartbreak Ridge

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Critics Consensus

With Heartbreak Ridge, director Clint Eastwood gets one of his best performances out of himself, even if the story struggles to engage.

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Critics Reviews

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David Stratton Sydney Morning Herald Eastwood serves us up with a hoary old story about a platoon of malcontents whipped into fighting shape by a tough veteran sergeant. May 27, 2021 Full Review Mike Daly The Age (Australia) There are no surprises in films like Heartbreak Ridge, only catharsis. Like war and contact sport, they release the pent-up aggression of adolescent males. Never mind the cliches, feel the muscle. Dec 15, 2020 Full Review Pat Graham Chicago Reader The whole film seems ideologically forced and out of place, an attempt to resurrect the retentive virtues of Ford and Hawks without the cultural context that gave them expressive strength. Aug 6, 2020 Full Review Alan Jones Radio Times There's a by-the-numbers feel to it all, but Eastwood is the main reason to watch, as he whips the troops into shape in readiness for the invasion of Grenada. Rated: 3/5 Aug 6, 2020 Full Review People Staff People Magazine Screenwriter Jim Carabatsos (yes, the very guy who wrote No Mercy) is a Vietnam vet. Yet he seems to have no idea of how men fight, get along or talk. Aug 6, 2020 Full Review Leigh Paatsch Herald Sun (Australia) A drama that gets you in totally without you ever realising it. Rated: 3/5 Jun 15, 2020 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Tom S I believe this movie to be iconic. I find this movie spectacular. It may be because I am a clint eastwood fan, many would find this movie cliche. But I find it a wonderful story about an aged out marine who finds absolution at the end of his career? And with the added bonus, a love story that just makes it a well rounded movie Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/05/25 Full Review thiago s Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajudou a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom. Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 05/20/25 Full Review Dane B. M Absolute crap. The 'F' word got repeated ad nauseum. Clichés abounded. The smartass, the goody two boots and of course the big moose chest. Clint devours them all. In the storming of the hill he dies. But wait! Miraculously he comes to life and... yep, tells the guy to watch out in the shower room. Hokey and poorly acted. Clint can do and makes far better efforts than this sorry excuse for a movie. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 11/23/24 Full Review Eye C Mr. Eastwood is not an actor's director, so if the actor aren't good so the picture ain't good either. I think this is the closest of a comedy from the director's filmography, but it doesn't delivers. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/12/24 Full Review Deborah S I don't care what others say, I enjoy any movie with Clint Eastwood in it. I had to watch this two times before I could totally understand the movie. Clint Eastwood is Marine Gunnery Sergeant Tom Highway who is getting close to retirement. Marine life is all he has ever known after serving through 2 wars when he is assigned to whip his unruly troops into shape in readiness for the invasion of Grenada. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/12/23 Full Review Shellie G I liked this movie and it kept me engaged. I have watched several times. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 09/05/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Heartbreak Ridge

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Movie Info

Synopsis Marine Sgt. Thomas Highway (Clint Eastwood) is a decorated veteran of two wars. On his last posting before retirement, he is surrounded by officers with no combat experience who view him as an odd, even dangerous, holdover. Highway is assigned to train a group of undisciplined recruits including Cpl. Stitch Jones (Mario Van Peebles), a slick hustler who has previously encountered Highway. As the old soldier prepares his men for a war they don't believe will come, the U.S. invades Grenada.
Director
Clint Eastwood
Producer
Clint Eastwood
Screenwriter
James Carabatsos
Distributor
Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co
Malpaso Company, Jay Weston Productions
Rating
R
Genre
War, Comedy, Drama, Action
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 5, 1986, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
May 1, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA)
$41.0M
Runtime
2h 9m
Sound Mix
Surround
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