Objective, Burma! (1945)

Director:

Raoul Walsh

Writers:

Ranald MacDougall (screenplay) &
Lester Cole (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

17 February 1945 (USA)

Genre:

War | Drama

Plot:

A group of men parachute into Japanese-occupied Burma with a dangerous and important mission: to locate and blow up a radar station...

Plot Keywords:

Burma | Parachute | Radar | Jungle | USA

Awards:

Nominated for 3 Oscars.

Cast

  (Complete credited cast)

Errol Flynn	...	Capt. Nelson
James Brown	...	SSgt. Treacy
William Prince	...	Lt. Sid Jacobs
George Tobias	...	Cpl. Gabby Gordon
Henry Hull	...	Mark Williams (American News correspondent)
Warner Anderson	...	Col. J. Carter (CO, 503rd Infantry)
John Alvin	...	Hogan
Mark Stevens	...	Lt. Barker (as Stephen Richards)
Richard Erdman	...	Pvt. Nebraska Hooper (as Dick Erdman)

Also Known As:

Objective Burma (International: English title) (DVD box title) (USA) (poster title)
Operation Burma

Runtime:

142 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Japanese

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Certification:

USA:Approved (No. 10098) | Canada:G (video rating) | Norway:16 | UK:PG | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden - 301 N. Baldwin Avenue, Arcadia, California, USA

Company:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Trivia:

Most of the exteriors of Burma were shot at the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden. The film has an authentic feel to it, thanks to the use of authentic military aircraft and materials. Also, the film includes a large amount of authentic footage taken by U.S. Army Signal Corps cameramen in the China Burma India theater.

Goofs:

Continuity: As Nelson briefs Williams on the jump, the static line alternates between loose and taut.

Quotes:

Paratrooper: [upon following the dead body of young paratrooper Hollis] So much for Mrs. Hollis' nine months of pain and twenty years of hope.

Movie Connections:

Featured in War Stories (2006) (TV)

Terrific WWII picture that really holds up well.

Late in his career, Errol Flynn described "Objective Burma" as one of the roles that he was most proud of. It's easy to see why. A solidly entertaining film that follows the exploits of a small group of American paratroopers dropped behind Japanese lines to destroy an enemy radar installation, it was quite gritty for a 1940's era war picture. Lacking the usual bravado of Flynn films, it had the look of a documentary. That look was greatly enhanced by the fine black and white photography. While the film was shot in California (as I recall) it had a very authentic look and feel. Flynn was excellent in perhaps his best non-swashbuckler role. The interesting second lead was James Brown, best known as the star of "Rin Tin Tin" and, many years later, as a regular on the "Dallas" television series.