Batanga

I saw this movie a long time ago and most of what I remember is that it is your standard, man starts off a heel and turns out to be a hero even if he doesn't think he is capable, plot. Dennis Weaver is a pilot during WWII, that flies anyone anywhere as long as they have money. Of course he finds out that during war, money can only go so far and he finds himself fighting a noble cause - that is, helping some Filipinos and Vera Miles, escape the Japanese. There is a scene in the beginning that has stuck with me all these years. Weaver is going to fly some rich (most likely corrupt) businessman out of the Philippines. The businessman is heading to the plane holding a briefcase full of cash, when somebody shoots him with a machine gun. As the camera does a tight close-up of his face, his eyes bulge and a small drop of blood trickles from his mouth, money from his briefcase flutters all around. This had a huge impression on me and I always think this scene best illustrates the cheapness of life. The rest of the movie doesn't even come close to being an average movie.

MISSION BATANGAS is a Filipino WW2 film featuring plucky islanders and their US helpers fighting back against the invading forces of Japan. I never thought I'd say this, but I actually missed the presence of Eddie Romero, who usually directed this genre of films in the Philippines; his film were poor, yes, but at least they were made to a recognisable formula. MISSION BATANGAS feels a bit rudderless by comparison.

The story is the usual action-oriented formula, with a couple of US actors brought in to draw international audiences and the rest of it made up of mundane stuff. Attempts at characterisation are nil, with the Japanese soldiers a dastardly bunch and the heroes all heroic, like. The action sequences are also undistinguished, merging into one big, messy whole.

The US stars are Dennis Weaver (DUEL) and Vera Miles (PSYCHO), although without any real direction it's fair to say that neither are at their best. In fact, the best part of the film doesn't feature them at all, instead showing what happens when some Japanese soldiers run into blowpipe-wielding pygmies. It's a shame the rest couldn't match this moment's inspired creativity.

I enjoyed this film, though it feels like it was shot around 1962, or early 60's. It did not have the air of 'Woodstock' happening at around the same decade/era of this old classic; this film has a feeling on an old 50's adventure with Bogart or William Holden, not a 'late-1960's -soon-to-be-in-Duel' Dennis Weaver?! I have to say Vera Miles was super-hot in this film. I looked her up on here and she had won a Miss Kansas back in the day, so she was a true 'Beauty Queen' growing up, which helped her get her foot in the door.

Vera had a smokin' hot body, nicely hidden in that 1940's kinda way. It wasn't flaunted back then, but you could tell she was in great shape, underneath that blouse, and very sultry at 39 years of age.

They just don't make 'em like her anymore! Nor films like this.

Shot in the Philipines, it is full of jungle action, shoot outs, Japanese air-bombers (from actual WWII footage), and even "head-hunters", natives of an island they must walk through, complete with poison blow-darts & spear attacks! It wasn't that bad and was definitely not predictable.

I'd give this a strong 5.5 or 6 out of 10 stars.

I remember seeing this movie when I was a kid and I do remember Dennis Weaver's role as the pilot. I was also vaguely familiar with Filipino actor Bruno Punzalan who always played some unsavory characters in many of his films. One of my favorite scenes depicted some little known details and facts of this war where the Japanese soldiers who were reputed to be superior jungle fighters in WWII, were in the jungle being stalked by Filipino "Negrito" warriors who were headhunters. The headhunters were eliminating the Japanese troops one-by-one and in this one climaxing scene, a Japanese Officer was barking orders to his remaining men when he was shot in the throat by one of these Negritos who used a blowgun and poisoned dart. As the soldier fell mortally wounded and dying, the Negrito calmly walked up to him and decapitated his body. That was a very morbid, but fascinating scene which introduced this little known sub-group of Filipino to the audience.

Copyright date on film shows 1967. Alternative title "Except People get Killed". UK certificate 'A'. I was lucky enough to see an original Dye Technicolor print of this picture, projected theatrically, so I saw it in it's optimum viewing condition, which certainly adds that extra something. Even viewing through rose tinted spectacles however, it's not a great movie, but there's plenty of action to keep you occupied throughout. A proper boys own adventure in fact.

Dennis Weaver is inevitably somewhat limited as an actor, but never the less I still got a lump in my throat when this interesting minor film ends somewhat tragically, helping to leave an indelible impression on the memory.

A 'B' movie in all respects but certainly worth a look at.

Clearly originally shot in Academy ratio and photographically composed very nicely in that format, only the main and end titles have been re-shot to conform with wide screen cinema projection. I was lucky to see it projected in Academy format by an intuitive and intelligent projectionist. The composition would certainly be an uncomfortable fit if shown in 1.85:1 with all the cropping that this would entail. All told, I had a pleasant evening with this film. Not every film can be an academy award winning block buster. The lesser, smaller films have their place too. It's all part of the rich tapestry of film appreciation, and good to have a balanced diet.