Battle at Bloody Beach (1961)

In 1941, after the Japanese invasion of the Philippines, American civilian Craig Benson helps organizing the Philippine guerrilla fighters, delivering supplies and evacuating stranded civilians.

Director:

Herbert Coleman

Writers:

Richard Maibaum (screenplay), Richard Maibaum (story)

Stars:

Audie Murphy, Gary Crosby, Dolores Michaels

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Audie Murphy	...	Craig Benson
Gary Crosby	...	Marty Sackler
Dolores Michaels	...	Ruth Benson
Alejandro Rey	...	Julio Fontana
Marjorie Stapp	...	Caroline Pelham
Barry Atwater	...	Pelham
E.J. André	...	Dr. Van Bart
Dale Ishimoto	...	Blanco
Lillian Bronson	...	Delia Ellis
Miriam Colon	...	Nahni
Pilar Seurat	...	Camota
William Mims	...	M'Keever
Ivan Dixon	...	Tiger Blair
Sara Anderson	...	Mrs. Thompson
Kevin Brodie	...	Timmy Thompson

Storyline

This is only the second Audie Murphy movie set in WWII after his autobiographical "To Hell and Back." Here Murphy steps out of his usual kid-Western role to play a civilian working for the Navy helping supply guerilla insurgents in the Philippines. His sole motive is not politics nor bravery, but to find his bride from whom he was separated during the Japanese invasion two years before.

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Plot Keywords:

philippines | guerilla | shipwreck | man murders a woman | shootout on a beach | 

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Taglines:

These were the undefeatables ...

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Genres:

Drama | War

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

June 1961 (USA)

Also Known As:

Sangre en la playa

Filming Locations:

Santa Catalina Island, Channel Islands, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Associated Producers (API), Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

83 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

When the two Americans were watching a passing "Japanese" cruiser the ship in the binoculars was actually a British three stack cruiser and the long view off the cliff was an American two stack destroyer.

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Connections

Referenced in Schlock! The Secret History of American Movies (2001)

User Reviews

Still a hero

What is there to add regarding this cinematic failure? It has a lot to dislike, including it's terribly written script; vacant, dull and useless film space, and lack of convincing combat. Without a doubt, it is one of Audie Murphy's worst choices -- to act in this horribly boring, low budget flick.

Just why do well known actors do this? Maybe Audie was in dire need of the little cash this part provided him. I tell myself, had I known him personally, that I could have taught him how to manage his finances and to resist gambling. He could have been amazingly well situated, free from the need to pick up the spare change such cheap diversions earned him; but, we must not forget, he fought an inward battle as well with PTSD, which can halt a man's perspective of his entire history: past, present and future. He will do anything to attempt to rid himself of his thoughts when he's alone.

Still, we continue to hold Audie Murphy dear, and are always willing to give him praise and honor no matter his choices. Why? Because he truly was a hero. An inwardly torn one, for sure, yet still a notable figure.

Had someone in his life known more, maybe that person could have helped him, saved him from his own destructive thoughts and behaviors. Unfortunately, so little was truly understood of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in those days, which, even today, men and women, victims of having experienced life in harm's way, continue to battle within themselves.

After working nearly thirty years in a VA hospital, I've seen men return home with it. Relationships suffer, insomnia takes a toll, and poor habits and addictions latch hold. Withdrawing from the world may also set in. Whatever the symptom, these men deserve our lasting respect and honor.