IMDb RATING
6.9/10
2.7K
YOUR RATING
In 1942, in the Bataan peninsula of the Philippines, a ragtag American unit commanded by Sergeant Bill Dane attempts to blow-up a bridge in order to slow the Japanese advance.In 1942, in the Bataan peninsula of the Philippines, a ragtag American unit commanded by Sergeant Bill Dane attempts to blow-up a bridge in order to slow the Japanese advance.In 1942, in the Bataan peninsula of the Philippines, a ragtag American unit commanded by Sergeant Bill Dane attempts to blow-up a bridge in order to slow the Japanese advance.
- Awards
- 2 wins
Alex Havier
- Yankee Salazar
- (as J. Alex Havier)
Ernie Alexander
- Wounded Soldier
- (uncredited)
Luke Chan
- Japanese Soldier
- (uncredited)
Wing Foo
- Japanese Soldier
- (uncredited)
Bud Geary
- Infantry Soldier
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- Robert Hardy Andrews
- Garrett Fort(uncredited)
- Dudley Nichols(uncredited)
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThis is one of few contemporary World War II films to feature an American soldier who was an African-American, played by Kenneth Spencer. As such, the movie was not shown in parts of the American South. The book "The Films of World War II" notes that producer Dore Schary said that letters of complaint were received by the studio.
- GoofsAlthough the American soldier was clearly a great coconut tree climber, it is near to impossible to sit atop a coconut tree. Many Filipinos to this day fall when attempting this.
- Quotes
Sergeant Bill Dane: Come on, suckers! What's the matter with you? What are you waitin' for? Didn't think we were here, did you? You dirty rotten rats! We're still here! We'll always be here! Why don't you come and get it?
- Crazy creditsClosing credits epilogue: So fought the heroes of Bataan. Their sacrifice made possible our victories in the Coral and Bismark Seas, at Midway, on New Guinea and Guadalcanal. Their spirit will lead us back to Bataan!
- Alternate versionsAlso available in a computer colorized version.
- ConnectionsFeatured in The Ed Sullivan Show: A Salute to Lucy and Desi (1954)
- SoundtracksSt. Louis Blues
(1914) (uncredited)
Music and Lyrics by W.C. Handy
Sung a cappella and hummed often by Kenneth Spencer
Featured review
Taylor shines in gritty war film...Robert Walker's debut...
BATAAN is one of the better war films to come out during the war years of World War II. Robert Taylor holds the whole gritty film together with his realistic depiction of a sergeant leading a small troop of men in an effort to hold back the Japanese attack by blowing up a crucial bridge. Taylor, Robert Walker as a gum-chewing homesick sailor, Lloyd Nolan, Dezi Arnaz (surprisingly effective in a dramatic role) and others make splendid contributions. Special mention should be made of Philip Terry's medic--an under-appreciated actor who is shown as committed to his job in a selfless way but finally going berserk under the pressures of war. (He had other good roles in Olivia de Havilland's TO EACH HIS OWN and Ray Milland's THE LOST WEEKEND).
The jungle setting (although filmed on the studio lot) is impressive with its exotic foliage and adds to the realism. The hand to hand combat scenes are well staged, as are the final moments of the film.
All in all, a gripping war film that more than holds its own with contemporary stories like SAVING PRIVATE RYAN.
Has to be appreciated in the context of its time--when flag-waving patriotism was at its peak and lines like "Those dirty Japs" were not considered politically incorrect.
The jungle setting (although filmed on the studio lot) is impressive with its exotic foliage and adds to the realism. The hand to hand combat scenes are well staged, as are the final moments of the film.
All in all, a gripping war film that more than holds its own with contemporary stories like SAVING PRIVATE RYAN.
Has to be appreciated in the context of its time--when flag-waving patriotism was at its peak and lines like "Those dirty Japs" were not considered politically incorrect.
helpful•305
- Doylenf
- Feb 16, 2002
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Details
Box office
- Budget
- $958,000 (estimated)
- Runtime1 hour 54 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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