American Guerrilla in the Philippines

Had BACK TO BATAAN and BACK TO BATAAN not been made, then I assume that American GUERILLA IN THE PHILIPPINES would probably be a better remembered film. That's because it's an excellent movie in just about every way, but the earlier John Wayne and Robert Taylor films about the Philippines during WWII were very outstanding films and tend to overshadow this Tyrone Power flick.

While the plot is not identical to these other two films, there are many similarities. All three document the heroic efforts of the Philippino partisans as well as that of Americans stuck in this land during the war. About the only noticeable difference was that the Power film was in color and I really think for this subject matter, black and white actually worked better--looking more like what you'd expect a WWII film to look like. Plus, the other two films are just a little more exciting and involving--but this isn't to say this Power film is bad--it just isn't quite as involving.

Still, among the many, many WWII films, this one is a bit better than average and well worth a peek. And, yes, I also noticed the line that said a Navy Ensign is equivalent to an Army Major! I'm surprised that Power, with his WWII experience, would have said such a stupid line. An ensign is most closely equivalent to an Army Lieutennant--a much lower rank.

A rugged war-time combat drama set in 1942 , focusing the actual story of a group of American soldiers in the Philippines who fought with the resistance movement . Classical and true warfare movie titled ¨American Guerrilla in the Philippines¨ , this British title obviously didn't approve of such American jingoist title : ¨I shall Return¨. It stars the great Tyrone Power in the lead and the flick talks about the Phillipines battle , during WWII , concerning on defenders and resistance fighters , but Japan has just invaded ; regarding events happened in Bataan , Corregidor and Leyte .The Japanese army has overrun the Philippines , sending General MacArthur packing , promising to return . The US Army's defense of its Philippines colony and the allied Malay countries/colonies behind it counted on its island fortress of Corregidor on Luzon -and a few others- but loses it in the 6 May 1942 Japanese combined forces attack . Exciting warfare movie following the blockade run that took General Douglas MacArthur and his staff from the Philippines to the safety of Australia , then the survivors of a bombed and sunk PT boat make their way to shore . Ensign Chuck Palmer (Tyrone Power) and crewman Jim Mitchell (Tom Ewell) finally reach Tacloban on the island of Leyte attempting to make Australia by a boat . In a Yankee mission school , Palmer meets the married women Jeanne Martinez (Micheline Presle) and , subsequently , both of whom fall in love . Later on , they are among the escaping survivors who are ordered by general Douglas McArthur to organize a guerrilla , as Chuck forms a guerrilla army to raid Japanese and to help Americans landing on Leyte . As a group of soldiers flee from Japanese repeatedly attack and they head for blowing-up the Japanese installations . The defenders gave a few days for posterior victories and future US conquest like Midway , Island Salomon and Bismark .

This classic warlike movie is nicely starred by Tyrone Power at one of his best and unknown roles as a two-fisted officer , he's accompanied by a plethora of first-rate secondaries , all of them form the small army of Guerrilleros endeavoring to blow up pivotal Japanese headquarters . Stirring actioner warfare completed with slice of military stereotypes although some characters are very one-dimensional . This rousing action saga results to be a a good film dealing with war in human terms . Here director Lang has a sensitive handling of actors and provides an exact compositional sense . Fritz handles in all -especially the battle scenes- with flair play and vigour . There is a fair bit of flag-waving and patriotism , but that was just what was needed when the picture was made . It may not be an awesome film , but this is a thrilling and well made war epic . This colorful movie contains action , breathtaking battles , thrills , historical events , romance , and the battle scenes are impressively made with special mention at the end as they are besieged at a church . Stalwart main cast , Tyrone Power , the French Michellie Presle , both of whom provide splendid interpretations . Being stunningly supported by Tom Ewell giving an eye-catching and sympathetic portrayal , Robert Patten, Tommy Cook , Vic Diaz , Carleton Young , uncredited cameo by Robert Barrat as Gen. Douglas MacArthur and Jack Elam as a grizzled swindler .

This is one of a handful of feature films that have featured the story of the World War II , Philippines surrending and Battle of Bataan , they include as follows : ¨Bataan¨ (1943) by Tay Garnett with Robert Taylor , ¨So proudly we hail ¡¨ by Mark Sandrich (1943) , ¨They were expendable¨ (1945) by John Ford with John Wayne , ¨Back to Bataan¨(1945) by Edward Dmytryck with John Wayne , Anthony Quinn , Beulah Bondi . The film is set into a lush , abundant jungle with nice cinematography in technicolor , though a perfect remastering being extremely necessary . It contains an atmospheric as well as evocative musical score by Cyril J. Mockridge . It is well set in South Pacific , Philippines and shot on location in Manila, Subic Bay, Philippines. The motion picturewas professionally directed by Fritz Lang but far from his classics , being a strange stuff to come from this German ex-patriate filmmaker. He is a prestigious director , his films deal with a deep description of civilized societies , he believes that corruption is an essential part of it , that society punishes sincerity , innocence and love, vengeance and greed determine the behavior of people . Rating : 6.5/10. The picture is pretty well , it is a spectacular picture but resulting to be sometimes a vaguely dull war Hollywood production .

The actual deeds deal with Philippines fall , creation of Guerrillas ,and concerning an unsuccessful attempt by US and Filipino troops under General Douglas MacArthur to defend the peninsular against the Japanese 1 Jan-9 April 1942 . Following the surrender of Bataan , MacArthur was evacuated , but Allies captives were force-marched 95 km/60 mi to the nearest railhead in the Bataan Death March,i ll-treatment by the Japanese guards during the march killed about 16.000 US and Filipino troops .

This is a seldom referenced and very overlooked old movie, but Fritz Lang still shows what an amazing filmmaker he is here. The script is good (not great) but the direction and some surprisingly good acting turn this one into a real winner. Definitely worth watching.

There were hundreds of these cheap-ish World War Two quickies in the decade following the close of the conflict itself. They differed little from those produced during the war, still being in a kind of adulatory propagandistic mode, except that they were a little more vague usually having no direct message. What's more, as more time went by the seemed to get further and further from the realities of the conflict.

An American Guerrilla in the Philippines sees Tyrone Power, swashbuckling idol of the pre-war years, as an officer battling Japs in the Philippine jungle. Power has matured as an actor since his pictures a decade earlier, appearing tougher and less boyish, although he has also become less interesting in the process. His performance is steady and natural, but he is unable to make anything of what is admittedly a rather bland character on paper anyway. His buddy Tom Ewell is an unusual addition to the cast. He was in later years a very fine comedy actor, but it's hard to tell if he's appearing here as comic relief or not. In some moments, such as his burbling in the water trying to stay afloat, seem as if he is trying to play them for laughs, inappropriately if so, and certainly not at all funny. The rest of the cast is simply plain bad or plain boring.

Director Fritz Lang is normally someone who can give a nice baroque touch to even the most American of film formats, while still remain true to genre and tone. He seems uncertain however quite what to do with this one. He gives many shots in the jungle an abstract feel, with no familiar points of reference, giving them a threateningly wild look. Often his camera takes a spectator's position, peeping out through foliage. It's hard to tell what purpose this serves, as it distances us from the events on screen. Incidentally, Lang was a very good director of crowds and action, as evidenced in his big-budget silent pictures. There are some very powerful moments, with characters moving straight towards us down the middle of the shot and memorably stylised movements. However for a director who is normally so good at imbuing his work with a dark and nightmarish feel, An American Guerrilla in the Philippines has none of the bleak terror of, say, Operation Burma, a picture which really worked because it made us the audience feel lost within the jungle ourselves.

And ultimately An American Guerrilla in the Philippines is too light, and too sparing on any true sense of tragedy. It's lack of a real feeling of danger gives it many dull stretches, and its lack of realism does a disservice to those involved in the conflict. All of which is rather odd because the picture is also far from being a comedy. The only thing which saves it and makes it watchable is Fritz Lang's strong, vibrant imagery, such as dozens of hats waving in the air or a soldier's dying scream just inches from the lens. Having said that, there are far better Fritz Lang pictures to see these brilliant touches in.

I caught this movie on the Fox Movie Channel last week. A shame that the DVD is not available as this one would be a keeper. If you like WWII era movies this one is a good one. It documents insurgency activity against the Japanese during the war. A rag-tag group of people including some Americans separated from the rest of their detachment lead locals in a courageous and sometimes complex scheme to keep the enemy unaware of their activities.

This was an easy movie to get into and one I would add to my collection if available. It is in color as well and features some spectacular shots.