Producer: Mark Sandrich. Copyright 22 June 1943 by Paramount Pictures Inc. New York opening at the Radio City Music Hall: 9 September 1943 (ran 4 weeks). U.S. release: 26 June 1943. Australian release: 18 February 1944. Sydney opening at the Prince Edward: 18 February 1944 (ran 9 weeks). 11,351 feet. 126 minutes.
WHAT IT'S ABOUT: Nurses stationed in Bataan.
NOTES: Nominated for four Academy Awards (winners in brackets): Supporting Actress, Paulette Goddard (Katina Paxinou in For Whom the Bell Tolls), Original Screenplay (Princess O'Rourke), Black-and-White Cinematography (Song of Bernadette), Special Effects (Crash Dive).
One of the top thirty box-office attractions in the U.S./Canada for 1943, the picture did even better in Australia, coming in 2nd to Double Indemnity as Paramount's top draw of 1944.
Number 9 in The Film Daily "Ten Best" poll of American film critics.
COMMENT: Seen to-day, Allan Scott's script could be accused of conventionality. But at the time of release, it seemed more daring and original. Certainly a military withdrawal (in this case from Bataan) has never been more graphically depicted than in this stunning picturization (produced and directed by the man whose present fame rests entirely upon his Astaire-Rogers musicals).
Made with the extraordinary co-operation of the United States Defense Department, the action scenes are the most harrowing and realistic ever seen in a movie of this period. The usual jingoism is still abundant, but on this occasion it serves to heighten the picture's hideously stark realism.
No expense has been spared in bringing these terrors to the screen. The technical skills, both behind and in front of the camera, are formidable.
WHAT IT'S ABOUT: Nurses stationed in Bataan.
NOTES: Nominated for four Academy Awards (winners in brackets): Supporting Actress, Paulette Goddard (Katina Paxinou in For Whom the Bell Tolls), Original Screenplay (Princess O'Rourke), Black-and-White Cinematography (Song of Bernadette), Special Effects (Crash Dive).
One of the top thirty box-office attractions in the U.S./Canada for 1943, the picture did even better in Australia, coming in 2nd to Double Indemnity as Paramount's top draw of 1944.
Number 9 in The Film Daily "Ten Best" poll of American film critics.
COMMENT: Seen to-day, Allan Scott's script could be accused of conventionality. But at the time of release, it seemed more daring and original. Certainly a military withdrawal (in this case from Bataan) has never been more graphically depicted than in this stunning picturization (produced and directed by the man whose present fame rests entirely upon his Astaire-Rogers musicals).
Made with the extraordinary co-operation of the United States Defense Department, the action scenes are the most harrowing and realistic ever seen in a movie of this period. The usual jingoism is still abundant, but on this occasion it serves to heighten the picture's hideously stark realism.
No expense has been spared in bringing these terrors to the screen. The technical skills, both behind and in front of the camera, are formidable.