Target Zero

Target Zero

Year: 1955

Runtime: 92 mins

Language: English

Director: Harmon Jones

War

On target! International soldiers fight to ignore their differences while holding a hill during the Korean War.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Target Zero yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Target Zero (1955)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Target Zero (1955). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Korean War era (1950-1953)

The events take place during the Korean War in the early 1950s. The narrative follows a retreat and the dangerous push to rejoin their unit, highlighting the pressures of time and distance in a contested front. The period is marked by mechanized units, air and naval support, and the constant threat of surprise attacks. The timing underscores the urgency of holding the line until relief can arrive.

Location

Korea, Sullivan's Muscle hill

The action unfolds on the Korean Peninsula during the Korean War, with frontline hills and shattered terrain setting the scene. The crew operates behind enemy lines near a key hilltop known as Sullivan's Muscle, where careful coordination is essential for survival. The landscape is a battleground of shellfire and sudden ambush, shaping the soldiers' resilience and decisions. The setting emphasizes the blend of mechanized warfare and intimate, close-quarters combat.

🇰🇷 Korea 🗺️ Battlefield 🤝 Allied forces

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:53

Main Characters – Target Zero (1955)

Meet the key characters of Target Zero (1955), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Lt. Tom Flagler (Richard Conte)

A steady, capable officer who commands with quiet resolve and earns the loyalty of his men. Flagler leads under pressure, keeping the mission in focus even as hope wavers. His willingness to reconcile differences with rivals demonstrates that duty can transcend personal grudges. He embodies the soldier’s ideal of steady leadership in the heat of battle.

🎖️ Leadership 🤝 Teamwork 🧭 Duty

Sgt. David Kensemmit (Richard Wyler)

Initially harboring a grudge against American soldiers, he is contemptuous and prickly, yet he is capable and skilled in combat. His arc moves toward acknowledgment of Tom’s leadership and a hard-won reconciliation. The character illustrates how personal bias can hinder or help the fight, depending on whether it’s overcome. His evolution highlights the pressure to put aside resentment for the greater good.

😠 Grudge 🤝 Reconciliation

SFC Vince Gaspari (Charles Bronson)

A veteran who vouches for Tom’s leadership and commands respect through experience and discipline. He serves as a stabilizing force within the tank crew and the wider unit, providing practical guidance under fire. Gaspari’s support reinforces that solid mentorship and trust are key to sustaining a fighting force. He embodies the dependable backbone of the soldiers in the siege.

🎖️ Leadership 🧭 Duty

Ann Galloway (Peggie Castle)

A UN relief worker whose presence represents the civilian toll and humanitarian motive behind the soldiers’ mission. She is knocked out during the assault, marking a personal stake in the dangers of the retreat. Ann’s role crystallizes the ideal of what the soldiers fight to protect and the humanity at stake in wartime.

💖 Civilians 🕊️ Humanity

Pvt. Felix O'Hara (L.Q. Jones)

A white American with a Southern accent who carries his own perspective into the unit. His remarks, including the Apache reference, underscore the diverse backgrounds of the troops and the broader context of war. He remains a practical member of the group, contributing to the effort to stay alive and complete their objective.

🗣️ Perspective 🌵 Diversity

Pvt. Strangler (Aaron Spelling)

A member of the newly formed mortar team, coming into play as the unit regroups behind enemy lines. He stands as part of the improvisational force necessary to set up fire zones and support the defense. The Strangler embodies the improvisational, adaptable nature of soldiers in close-quarters combat.

🧰 Adaptability 🪖 Firesupport

Pvt. Moose (Chuck Connors)

One of the American tank crew members who interacts with the British soldiers and contribute to the unit’s morale under stress. Moose represents the camaraderie and rough-edged humor that helps sustain the crew in dire conditions. His presence reinforces the theme of cross-unit cooperation.

🧭 Camaraderie 🗣️ Humor

Cpl. Devon Enoch (John Alderson)

A British corporal who migrates into a cooperative dynamic with the American tank crew. He helps bridge cultural and military differences, contributing to a more cohesive force. Enoch’s approach highlights the value of allied teamwork and mutual respect in wartime operations.

🤝 Alliance 🛡️ Cooperation

Pvt. George

A mortar team member who works alongside the loader known as the Strangler. The duo forms a compact unit within the larger group, contributing to the defensive fire and readiness to respond to flare-ups.

🧱 Teamwork 🧨 Firepower

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:53

Major Themes – Target Zero (1955)

Explore the central themes of Target Zero (1955), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🎖️ Leadership

Lt. Tom Flagler leads with calm resolve and steadiness under fire, earning the trust of his men. Vince Gaspari supports Tom as a disciplined, capable presence who backs his commander when the situation tightens. The film contrasts leadership that unites a diverse group with grudges and doubt, showing how duty can overcome personal friction. Ultimately, effective leadership is framed as the hinge that keeps the unit together and focused on the mission.

🤝 Camaraderie

The American and British troops learn to operate as a cohesive unit under pressure, highlighting the power of teamwork in crisis. Differences in background and etiquette give way to shared purpose as they hold their position against the assault. The reconciliation between Flagler and Kensemmit demonstrates that respect and trust can bridge even deep-seated tensions. The theme reinforces that solidarity is essential for survival in war.

💔 Sacrifice

The civilians’ presence, embodied by Ann Galloway, foregrounds the human cost of conflict and the stakes of humanitarian effort. The massacre of Easy Company underscores the price paid when lines fail or are overstretched. The effort to hold the line, supported by air and naval bombardment, becomes a test of endurance and willingness to sacrifice for a larger goal. In the end, sacrifice is shown as a shared responsibility among soldiers and civilians alike.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:53

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Target Zero Summary

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Target Zero Summary

Target Zero Timeline

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Target Zero Timeline

More About Target Zero

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