Bataan

1943 saw many films of this type. The war was in its third year and the Homefront was full of ration cards and stars in windows. If it wasn't a war picture, it was sure to be escapism. For example, Kenneth Spencer had great roles in both Bataan and Cabin in the Sky in 1943. I love the odd mixture of servicemen all lumped together at this forgotten outpost with a single yet futile mission. Destroy the bridge and keep on destroying it. Men are lost one by one yet they stay. Everyone has character flaws and everyone rises to heroic proportions when duty calls for it. That spirit of sacrifice and true grit fight is why the allies won the war. All Americans knew of the fate of Bataan - McCarthur's retreat, the death marches and the horrific loss of life. This film captures that tragic story magnificently with fine performances from all of the characters and excellent direction. A perfect screening for a Memorial Day weekend.

A rip roaring war movie from 1943. 13 soldiers from different sects of the military (one is a navy man, another is a pilot) must hold the line in Bataan (a village in the Philippines) before the Japanese army overwhelms them. Almost taking on the airs of a horror movie where our gallant fighters are picked off one by one, this gritty account is well served by the claustrophobic environs & the futility of their mission. Starring Robert Taylor as the sergeant in charge, he's well supported by his rag tag band of men w/great support by Desi Arnaz (Ricky Ricardo of I Love Lucy), Robert Walker (Strangers on a Train) & Barry Nelson (The Shining) w/special mention to Lloyd Nolan, a deserter who shows his true mettle in a clinch, who steals just about every scene he's in.

Gritty WW2 movie. Focuses on a US unit during the early days of the US involvement in WW2. A small unit holds an important area in the US defenses, on the Bataan peninsular in the Philippines. Very gritty in that no punches are pulled in the depiction of the war. No superman-like heroics. All quite realistic. Being made in 1943, the film uses US weapons of the time of the battle, adding to the authenticity. Good performance by Robert Taylor in the lead role. Decent supporting performances, though that of Robert Walker, as the sailor, is particularly irritating.

There is no big action in this film. It could easily be a play. It is, however, a great story of 13 heroic men who stood against impossible odds to do their duty. In that sense, it is a good film for Veteran's day. Most of the soldiers in WWII did not do Audie Murphy style heroics, but did their duty and hung in there to aid in the war effort. The efforts here were of extreme importance and the men died with honor. Tough guy Robert Taylor stars, and there is a great performance by Desi Arnaz. The crazy/heroic ending may be trite, but it was good.

What is it with you people i just don't understand.Everyone is saying Robert walker was annoying and its pure bull. He is the typical young man....excited to be in the war.....excited to kill the enemy...sensitive and funny. Walkers acting was top notch.....the scene where he breaks down after writing a letter to mum....awesome. I looked at all his expressions in the film and they were so real...so authentic. Baatan is a good movie superb cast NOLAN TAYLOR...even DesiArnaz makes me wish he had done more of this type of role.A good ending splendid visual effect.....TAY Garnett did it again. This with So PROUDLY We Hail has got to be one of the greatest war movie ever.....and i also forgot the wonderful work of Thomas Mitchell and George Murphy. Bravo