Heartbreak Ridge is an American film based on the year 1983 war. The movie’s title is taken from The Battle of Heartbreak Ridge in the Korean War. A character from Eastwood made a legacy and was eligible for the Medal of Honor. The movie was released on December 5, 1986, and Clint Eastwood created it. He was not only the creator but the producer and was the main lead.
Talking about the story that revolves around a US marine. When it is near its retirement, it gets a Platoon of Marines that are unmanageable. It seems to be a challenge, well it is! So, the US marine was given the responsibility of leading the platoon during the American invasion of grenades. This invasion took place in 1983. You must be wondering how the creators made a successful war movie in 1986. They used military bases and created exact scenes from the training centers etc. Where are these Heartbreak Ridge filming locations? Let’s find out.
Heartbreak Ridge Synopsis
The story begins with the introduction of a Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant, Thomas Highway. He was returning to his old unit which is the 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, Second Marine Division. While returning, he met a person who cheated on him. He borrowed some money from Highway and then stole his bus ticket without caring about Highway. But later on, Karma hits on that person. Later it is revealed that Highway will be leading that person in the 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, Second Marine Division. That person was rock musician Corporal “Stitch” Jones.
Thomas Highway was assigned to the Reconnaissance Platoon in his old unit. His new commanding officer, Major Malcolm Powers, wasn’t so impressed with Highway as, for him, Highway had outdated fashion. Thomas Highway was struggling to make his place here. He involved himself in a fight and rigorous training along with other fellow members. As a result, he won a fight against bodybuilder “Swede” Johanson. No one was capable enough to defeat Swede, but Highway did and gained the utmost respect from others.
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Since Highway is a well-trained sergeant, he wants his men to be powerful too. He arranges rigorous and unorthodox training methods, which (according to him) are the best practices for a sergeant. Highway’s commanding officer, Powers, and his assistant do not like him at all. As a result, Highway clashes with Powers. He doesn’t want his men to get defeated by Powers’ men.
Nonetheless, there is one man who is Highway’s old comrade-in-arms, Sergeant Major Choozhoo. He supports Thomas no matter what. Thomas Highway was yet successfully heading towards another honor. When his men learned that Highway owned The Medal of Honor during the Korean War, they respected him more and were more determined to stay by his side for the rest of their training sessions.
The first mission Highway and all other military were involved in were rescuing American students from a medical school. They were successful in their mission, but Choozhoo discovered more challenging things. Well, the movie has a lot of fights and bravery of Highway and the men. It also explains a bit about Highway’s old love story. Her ex was Aggie, who was a barmaid. You can watch the movie. Later on, Powers is exposed brutally and is discarded by all, and Highway retires peacefully.
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What are the Heartbreak Ridge Filming Locations?
Since Heartbreak Ridge has a majority of its story related to the military so most of the scenes were shot in the military camp. Here are the places used for the film:
- Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. It is situated in California, USA (Camp Talega, Recon Quonset Huts)
- Halfway House Cafe – 15564 Sierra Highway – Santa Clarita, California, USA.
- USS Iwo Jima LPH-2 (amphibious assault ship)
- Agua Dulce, California, USA (roadside cafe)
- Wagon Wheel Bar, San Clemente, California, USA.
- Vieques, Puerto Rico
- Marine Corps Air Station, El Toro, California, USA
- Swallows Inn – 31786 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, California, USA
- San Diego, California, USA
- Santa Clarita, California, USA
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