The Purple Heart (1944)

This is the story of the crew of a downed bomber, captured after a run over Tokyo, early in the war. Relates the hardships the men endure while in captivity, and their final humiliation: ... See full summary »

Director:

Lewis Milestone

Writers:

Jerome Cady (screenplay), Darryl F. Zanuck (story) (as Melville Crossman)

Stars:

Dana Andrews, Richard Conte, Farley Granger

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Dana Andrews	...	Capt. Harvey Ross
Richard Conte	...	Lt. Angelo Canelli
Farley Granger	...	Sgt. Howard Clinton
Kevin O'Shea	...	Sgt. Jan Skvoznik
Don 'Red' Barry	...	Lt. Peter Vincent (as Donald Barry)
Trudy Marshall	...	Mrs. Ross
Sam Levene	...	Lt. Wayne Greenbaum
Charles Russell	...	Lt. Kenneth Bayforth
John Craven	...	Sgt. Martin Stoner
Tala Birell	...	Johanna Hartwig - Berlin News Correspondent
Richard Loo	...	General Ito Mitsubi
Peter Chong	...	Mitsuru Toyama

Storyline

This is the story of the crew of a downed bomber, captured after a run over Tokyo, early in the war. Relates the hardships the men endure while in captivity, and their final humiliation: being tried and convicted as war criminals.

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Plot Keywords:

bomber | prisoner of war | death | murder | son murders father | 

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Taglines:

AN EPIC SAGA OF RAW COURAGE! (print ad - Lubbock Avalanche Journal - Cactus Theatre - Lubbock, Texas - April 22, 1945- all caps)

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Genres:

Drama | History | War

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Certificate:

Passed

Did You Know?

Trivia

This film is based on the true story of eight crewmen of a US bomber that took part in the "Doolittle Raid" on Tokyo on April 18, 1942. The crewmen were Lt. Robert Hite, Lt. William G. Farrow, Lt. George Barr, Sgt. Harold A. Spatz, Cpl. Jacob De Shazer, Cpl. Dean Hallmark, Cpl. Robert Meder and Cpl. Chase Nielsen.

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Goofs

The son of the Chinese Governor bows to the American aviators to return the honor they gave him. But the Chinese don't bow in this fashion. It is the Japanese who bow to show respect. So a Chinese man would never use this to show respect. Since it would align himself with Japanese custom.

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Quotes

Title Card: "Let it be known that he who wears the military order of the purple heart has given of his blood in the defense of his homeland and shall forever be revered by his fellow countrymen." - Geo. Washington, General and Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, Aug. 7 1782

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Connections

Featured in Frances Farmer Presents: The Purple Heart (1958)

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Soundtracks

The Battle Hymn of the Republic
Music by William Steffe
Lyrics by Julia Ward Howe

User Reviews

What would you do in their shoes?

This is a beautiful movie. The story is about what happens to the captured crew of an American Army Air Corps bomber in Japan during WWII.

The performances of the actors are excellent and deeply felt (remember that it was filmed during the war). Once you have watched the first 30 minutes, you must stay to learn their fate at the hands of the Japanese.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Japanese

Release Date:

23 February 1944 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Purple Heart

Filming Locations:

Washington, District of Columbia, USA

Box Office

Gross USA:

$1,500,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1