The Hunters
“Mightiest thrill-shocked adventure spectacle of the super-sonic age !”
Synopsis
With its electrifying flight sequences and high-powered cast, The Hunters is a mesmerizing film based on the best-selling novel by veteran fighter pilot James Salter. Set during the height of the Korean War, the story centers on Major Cleve Saville (Robert Mitchum), a master of the newly operational F-86 Sabre fighter jets. But adept as he is at flying, Saville¹s personal life takes a nosedive when he falls in love with his wingman¹s (Lee Philips) beautiful wife (May Britt). To make matters worse, Saville must cope with a loud-mouthed rookie (Robert Wagner) in a daring rescue mission that threatens all their lives in this well-crafted war drama.
Trailers, Teasers & Extra Featurettes
Official promotional previews, behind-the-scenes footage, and exclusive clips.
The Hunters trailer
Type: Trailer • Published 2010-09-22
Top Cast
Explore Star Directory →
Robert Mitchum
Major Cleve Saville
Robert Wagner
Lt. Ed Pell
Richard Egan
Colonel Dutch Imil, CO 54th Fighter Group
May Britt
Kristina 'Kris' Abbott
Lee Philips
1st Lt. Carl Abbott
John Gabriel
1st Lt. Corona
Stacy Harris
Col. Monk Moncavage
Victor Sen Yung
Korean farmer
Candace Lee
Korean Child
Aki Aleong
MIG Pilot
John Doucette
Chief Master Sergeant
Esther Ying Lee
Waitress
Mabel Lim
Korean Woman
Alena Murray
Mrs. Mason
Nina Shipman
WAF Lieutenant
Robert Reed
Jackson
Walter Soo Hoo
Chinese Soldier (uncredited)
George Sasaki
Chinese Soldier (uncredited)
Release History & Theatrical Window
September 1, 1958
Wide Cinema Exhibition
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Dick Powell
- Screenplay & Story
- Wendell Mayes
- Original Score
- Paul Sawtell
- Original Title
- The Hunters
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 1h 48m
- Production Studios
- 20th Century Fox
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Dick Powell
Wendell Mayes, James Salter
Paul Sawtell
Charles G. Clarke
Stuart Gilmore
Dick Powell
Department Leadership Roster
Dick Powell
Director
Charles LeMaire
Costume Design
Stuart Gilmore
Editor
Dick Powell
Producer
Charles G. Clarke
Director of Photography
Wendell Mayes
Screenplay
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
NR: Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.
International Certification Matrix
FSK 12 — Restricted to viewers aged 12 and older.
Parental Guidance — Unlikely to upset children 8 and older.
Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for The Hunters.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring The Hunters.
My Movies
Master List In Progress
Classic Movies Collection
Copy of TMDB public list 8294149 - Classic Movies Collection
list_War
Movies categorized under War
Prime Video US - War Movies
Curated list of Most Popular on Amazon Prime (US). Updated frequently. Last updated August 28, 2026.
CLASSIC MOVIES COLLECTION
Best Seller Movies Released in 1920 up to 1980
DVD
my collection
Similar Titles to The Hunters
Movies sharing stylistic DNA, tone, and thematic storytelling
6.9
8.0
7.6
8.1
7.2
7.2
7.1
4.8
7.0
7.0
5.7
6.0
7.1
4.9
7.4
7.1
7.7
7.6
7.7
More Like The Hunters
Recommended titles matching themes, cast, and genres.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Hunters
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is The Hunters about?
With its electrifying flight sequences and high-powered cast, The Hunters is a mesmerizing film based on the best-selling novel by veteran fighter pilot James Salter. Set during the height of the Korean War, the story centers on Major Cleve Saville (Robert Mitchum), a master of the newly operational F-86 Sabre fighter jets. But adept as he is at flying, Saville¹s personal life takes a nosedive when he falls in love with his wingman¹s (Lee Philips) beautiful wife (May Britt). To make matters worse, Saville must cope with a loud-mouthed rookie (Robert Wagner) in a daring rescue mission that threatens all their lives in this well-crafted war drama.
Who directed The Hunters?
The Hunters was directed by Dick Powell.
Who stars in The Hunters?
The principal cast of The Hunters includes Robert Mitchum, Robert Wagner, Richard Egan, May Britt, Lee Philips.
When was The Hunters released and how long is it?
The Hunters was released in 1958 with a total runtime of 1h 48m.
Who composed the musical score for The Hunters?
The original motion picture soundtrack for The Hunters was composed by Paul Sawtell.
Is The Hunters based on a book or true story?
The Hunters is adapted from the following source material: Novel: "James Salter".
What is the age rating and content advisory for The Hunters?
The Hunters holds official age classifications: DE: 12 (FSK 12 — Restricted to viewers aged 12 and older.); GB: PG (Parental Guidance — Unlikely to upset children 8 and older.); US: NR (Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.).