What the movie is is a good, true story about a small raid in the Pacific campaign. Nothing for me can ever compare with the satisfaction I got from helping to free our prisoners. [7] After hearing the accounts of the survivors from the massacre at the Puerto Princesa Prison Camp, the liberating forces feared that the safety of the POWs being held in the country was in jeopardy, and decided to launch a series of rescue operations to save the surviving POWs on the islands. [153] The group was also met by circling P-51 Mustangs that guarded them as they neared American lines. It is named for the commander of the Confederate troops, Brigadier General John Hunt Morgan. White cloths were tied around their left arms to prevent friendly fire casualties. Historical narration and footage provide the con As the Japanese retreated, they killed their prisoners, and Americans in one camp were burned alive. Here a small force of less than 200 untested Federal soldiers of the 25 th Michigan whipped Morgan's 2,500 men division. [27][28] Prisoners collected food using a variety of methods including stealing, bribing guards, planting gardens, and killing animals which entered the camp such as mice, snakes, ducks, and stray dogs. It was now, or not. Under the command of Lt. Col. Henry Mucci, they set off on their mission to infiltrate Cabanatuan and liberate the American prisoners. [155] After a headcount, it was discovered that POW Edwin Rose, a deaf British soldier, was missing. Beginning to give up hope they will ever be rescued, a group of Rangers goes on a dangerous mission to try and save them. Prince, Mucci leads his men on a life-or-death raid against forces known for their savagery. [61], On October20, 1944, General Douglas MacArthur's forces landed on Leyte, paving the way for the liberation of the Philippines. [188] The Rangers and POWs were interviewed to describe the conditions of the camp, as well as the events of the raid. But the pilot's maneuvers were so skillful and deceptive that the diversion was complete. The movie was directed by John Dahl, based on a screenplay by Carlo Bernard and Doug Miro, and the books The Great Raid on Cabanatuan by William B. Breuer and Ghost Soldiers by Hampton Sides. [99] Nellist and Vaquilar remained in the shack until the start of the raid.[100]. "The Great Raid" has the look and feel of a good war movie you might see on cable late one night, perhaps starring Robert Mitchum, Robert Ryan or Lee Marvin. [34] When the Japanese had an American radio technician fix their radios, he stole parts. the Terms and Policies, and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes. [158] The American soldiers also paid 5pesos to each of the carabao cart drivers who had helped to evacuate the POWs. Family members of the POWs were contacted by telegram to inform them of the rescue. He suggested that the guerrillas would secure the prisoners, escort them 50 miles (80km) to Debut Bay, and transport them using 30submarines. In early 1945, as World War II is nearing its end, Gen. Douglas MacArthur selects Lt. Col. Henry Mucci (Benjamin Bratt) to command a bold rescue mission in the Philippines. On January 30, 1945, a group of U.S. Army Rangers, Alamo Scouts, and Filipino guerrillas set out on a daring nighttime raid on Cabanatuan POW camp in the Philippines. Verified reviews are considered more trustworthy by fellow moviegoers. I think the thanks should go the other way. With the help of Capt. "[1] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 48 out of 100, based on 29 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews". [67] In villages along the Rangers' route, other guerrillas assisted in muzzling dogs and putting chickens in cages to prevent the Japanese from hearing the traveling group. [186] The feat was celebrated by MacArthur's soldiers, Allied correspondents, and the American public, as the raid had touched an emotional chord among Americans concerned about the fate of the defenders of Bataan and Corregidor. The Rangers were armed with assorted Thompson submachine guns, BARs, M1 Garand rifles, pistols, grenades, knives, and extra ammunition, as well as a few bazookas. Although they had organized twohospitals, ample food, and guards for this estimate, they were overwhelmed with over 72,000prisoners. [161] When the group reached Balincarin, they had accumulated nearly 50carts. [12] In addition, the Navy did not have the required submarines, especially with MacArthur's upcoming invasion of Luzon. The meat from the animals, along with the food secured from the Japanese side of the camp, helped many of the POWs to regain their strength, weight, and stamina. One effective moment comes when an officer delays action to be absolutely sure that all is ready; with radio silence, he has to send a scout, and we grow almost as impatient as the waiting men. History, It is directed by John Dahl and stars Benjamin Bratt, James Franco, Connie Nielsen, Marton Csokas, Joseph Fiennes with Motoki Kobayashi and Cesar Montano. [157][158] Arrangements were made for a tank destroyer unit to pick him up and transport him to a hospital.[159]. The mission is to help free 500 POW's from the Japanese before the Japanese try to kill the prisoners. [147] The majority of the prisoners had little or no clothing and shoes, and it became increasingly difficult for them to walk. [120] Within the first fifteenseconds, all of the camp's guard towers and pillboxes were targeted and destroyed. [102][115] Pajota, Joson, and their guerrilla forces each headed to their ambush sites. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Black Rhino Raid 20X9.5 +2 Matte Black Wheel 5X127 5X5 (QTY 4) at the best online prices at eBay! [125] One prisoner stated that the attack sounded like "whistling slugs, Roman candles, and flaming meteors sailing over our heads. https://stream.movieunlimited.net/movie/tt0326905/WATCH MORE FREE MOVIES ! https://www.yo. Now that we are involved in a lengthy and bloody ground war there, it is good to have a film that is not about entertainment for action fans, but about how wars are won with great difficulty, risk, and cost. Action Drama War Taking place towards the end of WWII, 500 American Soldiers have been entrapped in a camp for 3 years. Rangers sometimes had to resort to physical force to remove the detainees, throwing or kicking them out. [95] He directed the Scouts to return to the camp and gain additional intelligence, especially on the strength of the guards and the exact location of the captive soldiers. [196] The remaining American enlisted men and the Filipino guerrilla officers were awarded Bronze Stars. "The Great Raid" is perhaps more timely now than it would have been a few years ago, when "smart bombs" and a couple of weeks of warfare were supposed to solve the Iraq situation. [163] At Talavera, the freed soldiers and civilians boarded trucks and ambulances for the last leg of their journey home. A group of over 100 Rangers and scouts and 200 guerrillas traveled 30 miles (48km) behind Japanese lines to reach the camp. Douglas Miro, [114] With the limited Japanese guard, a small group of prisoners had already decided that they would make an escape attempt at about 20:00. On the evening of January27, the Rangers studied air reconnaissance photos and listened to guerrilla intelligence on the prison camp. "[3] Mike Clark of USA Today said, "Just about any golden age Hollywood hack could have made a zestier drama about one of the greatest rescue missions in U.S. military history," and criticized "Franco's droning voice-over" for spelling out "every sliver of historical context", and also said "a huge chunk of time is given to an uncompelling romance between a majorand a widowed nurse. [162] Despite the convenience of using the carts, the carabao traveled at a sluggish pace, only 2 miles per hour (3.2km/h), which greatly reduced the speed of the return trip. [181] His last words were "Good luck on the way out. James Fisher was mortally injured in the stomach and was carried to the nearby village of Balincari. [55] The guards had previously told prisoner leaders that they should not attempt to escape, or else they would be killed. [81] Surgeon Captain Jimmy Fisher and his medics each carried pistols and carbines. Still, it is the idea of Margaret that sustains Gibson, whose strength is being drained by malaria. A lone Japanese soldier was able to fire off three mortar rounds toward the main gate. Coming Soon. [107] Pajota suggested that to distract the guards, a United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) airplane should buzz the camp to divert the guards' eyes to the sky. Instead, it is more of a war suspense-drama movie; a really good one. Beginning to give up hope they will ever be rescued, a group of Rangers goes on a dangerous mission to try and save them. The Japanese had kept the terrain clear of vegetation to ensure that approaching guerrilla attacks could be seen as well as to spot prisoner escapes. The Great Raid is a must-have for fans of WWII books. They collected a large number of death certificates and cemetery layouts,[159] as well as diaries, poems, and sketchbooks. [38] Prisoners also constructed weapons and smuggled ammunition into the camp for the possibility of securing a handgun. I'll be grateful for the rest of my life that I had a chance to do something in this war that was not destructive. [136], A few seconds after Pajota and his men heard Murphy fire the first shot, they fired on the alerted Japanese contingent situated across the Cabu River. [50][51], As American forces continued to approach Luzon, the Japanese Imperial General Headquarters ordered that all able-bodied POWs be transported to Japan. [130] Some of the POWs weighed so little due to illness and malnourishment that several Rangers carried two men on their backs. (the one that?s handed the Uzi, is in front of Sam) The one that says he?s PFC Lucas however played a part I Roswell was also in Smallville & a few other popular shows his name?s Clayne Crawford (Leverage in 2009, Cold Case CSI will be in 24 in 2010 also was in Swimfan) I?m not one for war movies they pretty much bore me weather true or just made as a blockbuster action flick. [198] Land was donated in the late 1990s by the Filipino government to create a memorial. You're almost there! They won't be able to see your review if you only submit your rating. English, Director: In late January 1945, a plan was developed by Sixth Army leaders and Filipino guerrillas to send a small force to rescue the prisoners. [93], "We couldn't rehearse this. Miramax Films. After the surrender of tens of thousands of American troops during the Battle of Bataan, many were sent to the Cabanatuan prison camp after the Bataan Death March. To me this one dragged interesting maybe its about how 500 POWs are in camp & to go about rescuing them. [21][176][177], Several Americans died during and after the raid. One method of the execution was to round the prisoners up in one location, pour gasoline over them, and then burn them alive. [citation needed], The movie was filmed in south-east Queensland, Australia utilising a huge, authentic recreation of a prisoner of war camp. Cinemark The Japanese shifted most of the prisoners to other areas, leaving just over 500American and other Allied POWs and civilians in the prison. [48] Each year around Christmas, the Japanese guards gave permission for the Red Cross to donate a small box to each of the prisoners, containing items such as corned beef, instant coffee, and tobacco. Eduardo Joson,[111] would be sent in opposite directions to hold the main road near the camp. [67] The group developed a plan to rescue the prisoners. [67] He proposed to Lieutenant General Walter Krueger's intelligence chief Colonel Horton White that a rescue attempt be made to liberate the estimated 500POWs at the Cabanatuan prison camp before the Japanese possibly killed them all. Both Fisher and Sweezy are buried at Manila National Cemetery. Some Scouts and freed prisoners stayed behind to construct the airstrip. The inspirational true story of one of the most the triumphant rescue missions in U.S. military history. The movie is based on the true story of a famous raid by U.S. Army Rangers and Philippine guerillas, who attacked the Japanese POW camp at Cabanatuan and rescued more than 500 Americans, with the loss of only two American and 21 Filipino lives. The rescuers were awarded commendations by MacArthur, and were also recognized by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. She was eventually released but spent six weeks recovering from gangrene as a result of injuries sustained from beatings. 38% 70%. William Nellist and Thomas Rounsaville, left Guimba at 19:00 and infiltrated behind enemy lines for the long trek to attempt a reconnaissance of the prison camp. [199] The memorial was financed by former American POWs and veterans, and is maintained by the American Battle Monuments Commission. [131] Once out of the barracks, they were told by the Rangers to proceed to the main, or front gate. director of photography Film Editing by There would only be just over an hour of full darkness, as the sun set below the horizon and the moon rose. [201] In Cabanatuan, a hospital is named for guerrilla leader Eduardo Joson. also individual raid passes got marked up to $2 each. Prince served as a consultant on the film, and believed it depicted the raid accurately. Twenty of Pajota's guerrillas were injured, as were twoScouts and twoRangers. It was green-lighted by Harvey Weinstein of Miramax just a few days after 9/11; perhaps a story of a famous American victory seemed needed. 286 Likes, 5 Comments - Gary Sinise (@garysiniseofficial) on Instagram: "The Great Raid. the American prisoners following their liberation. Beginning to give up hope they will ever be rescued, a group of Rangers goes on a dange Read allTaking place towards the end of WWII, 500 American Soldiers have been entrapped in a camp for 3 years. [19][20][21], At its peak, the camp held 8,000American soldiers (along with a small number of soldiers and civilians from other nations including the United Kingdom, Norway, and the Netherlands), making it the largest POW camp in the Philippines. The lieutenant came back and told Mucci that only Americans could pass, and Pajota's men had to stay. He plays PFC Lucas but he?s behind the guy in line that says he?s Lucas. [143] A group of Japanese soldiers made an effort to flank the ambush position by crossing the river away from the bridge, but the guerrillas spotted and eliminated them. Many prisoners were also stricken with malaria. [63] Two days later, MacArthur's forces landed on Luzon and began a rapid advance towards the capital, Manila. [8] This would still present the possibility of the Japanese guards noticing their movement, especially with a nearly full moon. Roger Ebert was the film critic of the Chicago Sun-Times from 1967 until his death in 2013. [64], Major Robert Lapham, the American USAFFE senior guerrilla chief, and another guerrilla leader, Captain Juan Pajota, had considered freeing the prisoners within the camp,[65] but feared logistical issues with hiding and caring for the prisoners. [153][160] Mucci ordered that an airstrip be built in a field next to Platero so that a plane could airlift him to American lines. Based on the books The Great Raid on Cabanatuan and Ghost Soldiers, the 2005 John Dahl film The Great Raid focused on the raid intertwined with a love story. [121] Sgt. [74] The twofive-man teams of Alamo Scouts, led by 1st Lts. [89] Mucci linked up with Scouts Nellist and Rounsaville to go over the camp reconnaissance from the previous night. [43][44] An onsite commissary was available to sell items such as bananas, eggs, coffee, notebooks, and cigarettes. The total included 492Americans, 23British, threeDutch, twoNorwegians, oneCanadian, and oneFilipino. And Scouts and freed prisoners stayed behind to construct the airstrip be killed the guy in that! Raid is a must-have for fans of WWII books both Fisher and Sweezy are buried At Manila National.... Organized twohospitals, ample food, and Pajota 's men had to stay up. Back and told Mucci that only Americans could pass, and believed it depicted the raid. 100. 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