Hornets' Nest (1970)
A gritty WWII adventure in which one stranded American soldier and a band of Italian orphans take on the Nazi war machine.
Hornets' Nest - Movie Information
- Original Title: Hornets' Nest
- Release Year: 1970
- Directed by: Phil Karlson
- Type: Movie
- Genres: War, Drama, Action
- Runtime: 1h 50m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: Italian, English, German
- Release Date (Theatrical): September 8, 1970 (Germany - 16), September 9, 1970 (United States), September 6, 1971 (Spain)
- Alternative Titles: L'assaut des jeunes loups (FR), Das Wespennest (DE), I lupi attaccano in branco (IT)
- Production Companies: Produzioni Associate Delphos, Triangle Productions
- Production Countries: Italy, United States of America
Hornets' Nest - Plot
An American commando who's the sole survivor of a parachute jump into WWII-era Italy leads a group of children in a campaign of sabotage against the Nazis.
Hornets' Nest - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the wartime action unfold:
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Hornets' Nest - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Phil Karlson
Main Cast
- Rock Hudson
- Sylva Koscina
- Sergio Fantoni
- Giacomo Rossi Stuart
- Jacques Sernas
- Mark Colleano
- Mauro Gravina
- John Fordyce
- Giuseppe Cassuto
- Amedeo Castracane
Writers
- S.S. Schweitzer
Producers
- Stanley S. Canter
Hornets' Nest - FAQs
What is Hornets' Nest about?
Hornets' Nest follows Turner, a U.S. Army commando who is the only survivor of a parachute mission into Nazi-occupied Italy during WWII. With no adult allies left, he recruits a scrappy band of orphaned Italian children to help him carry out a daring campaign of sabotage against the German forces.
Is Hornets' Nest based on a true story?
Hornets' Nest is not based on a specific true story. It's an original screenplay by S.S. Schweitzer set against the real backdrop of the Allied campaign in WWII Italy. While the partisan resistance and Nazi occupation depicted are historically grounded, the characters and central plot are fictional.
Where can you stream Hornets' Nest?
You can stream Hornets' Nest on Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, MGM+, and Philo, among others. It's also available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. Plex offers it for free as well.
Why does Turner rely on children in the film?
After his entire unit is wiped out during the parachute drop, Turner is left with no adult soldiers to complete his mission. The only people willing and able to help him are a group of Italian orphan boys who have their own scores to settle with the Nazis, making for an unlikely but compelling wartime alliance.
Who are the main actors in Hornets' Nest?
Rock Hudson leads the cast as Turner, the stranded American commando. He's joined by Sylva Koscina as Bianca, a German-held Italian doctor, and Sergio Fantoni as the antagonist Von Hecht. Jacques Sernas, Giacomo Rossi Stuart, and a group of young Italian actors round out the ensemble.
Who composed the score for Hornets' Nest?
The score for Hornets' Nest was composed by the legendary Ennio Morricone. Known for his iconic work on countless Italian genre films and Hollywood productions, Morricone brings his distinctive dramatic flair to this WWII adventure, adding real emotional weight to the action on screen.
Is Hornets' Nest worth watching for war film fans?
If you enjoy classic WWII action films with an unconventional twist, Hornets' Nest is a solid pick. The unusual premise of children as resistance fighters gives it a distinctive edge over standard war fare, and Rock Hudson's gruff performance, paired with Ennio Morricone's score, keeps things engaging throughout.
Where was Hornets' Nest filmed?
Hornets' Nest was filmed on location in Italy, an Italian-American co-production that made full use of the country's rugged wartime landscapes. The authentic Italian settings lend the film a genuine sense of place, grounding the WWII story in the very terrain where such partisan struggles actually took place.
More About Hornets' Nest
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