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IMDbPro

Back to Bataan

  • 19451945
  • ApprovedApproved
  • 1h 35m
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
4K
YOUR RATING
John Wayne and Alex Havier in Back to Bataan (1945)
In 1942, after the fall of the Philippines to the Japanese, U.S. Army Col. Joseph Madden stays behind to organize the local resistance against the Japanese invaders.
Play trailer2:10
1 Video
40 Photos
  • Drama
  • War
In 1942, after the fall of the Philippines to the Japanese, U.S. Army Col. Joseph Madden stays behind to organize the local resistance against the Japanese invaders.In 1942, after the fall of the Philippines to the Japanese, U.S. Army Col. Joseph Madden stays behind to organize the local resistance against the Japanese invaders.In 1942, after the fall of the Philippines to the Japanese, U.S. Army Col. Joseph Madden stays behind to organize the local resistance against the Japanese invaders.
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
4K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Edward Dmytryk
  • Writers
    • Ben Barzman(screenplay)
    • Richard H. Landau(screenplay)
    • Æneas MacKenzie(original story)
  • Stars
    • John Wayne
    • Anthony Quinn
    • Beulah Bondi
Top credits
  • Director
    • Edward Dmytryk
  • Writers
    • Ben Barzman(screenplay)
    • Richard H. Landau(screenplay)
    • Æneas MacKenzie(original story)
  • Stars
    • John Wayne
    • Anthony Quinn
    • Beulah Bondi
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 42User reviews
    • 12Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 2:10
    Trailer

    Photos40

    John Wayne in Back to Bataan (1945)
    John Wayne in Back to Bataan (1945)
    Anthony Quinn and John Wayne in Back to Bataan (1945)
    John Wayne in Back to Bataan (1945)
    Lawrence Tierney in Back to Bataan (1945)
    John Wayne and Lawrence Tierney in Back to Bataan (1945)
    John Wayne and Beulah Bondi in Back to Bataan (1945)
    John Wayne and Alex Havier in Back to Bataan (1945)
    John Wayne in Back to Bataan (1945)
    John Wayne and Beulah Bondi in Back to Bataan (1945)
    John Wayne, Beulah Bondi, Angelo Cruz, Paul Fix, Alex Havier, Joseph Kim, and Tommy Estrella in Back to Bataan (1945)
    Fely Franquelli in Back to Bataan (1945)

    Top cast

    Edit
    John Wayne
    John Wayne
    • Col. Joseph Maddenas Col. Joseph Madden
    Anthony Quinn
    Anthony Quinn
    • Capt. Andrés Bonifácioas Capt. Andrés Bonifácio
    Beulah Bondi
    Beulah Bondi
    • Bertha Barnesas Bertha Barnes
    Fely Franquelli
    Fely Franquelli
    • Dalisay Delgadoas Dalisay Delgado
    Richard Loo
    Richard Loo
    • Maj. Haskoas Maj. Hasko
    Philip Ahn
    Philip Ahn
    • Col. Corokias Col. Coroki
    Alex Havier
    • Sgt. Bernessaas Sgt. Bernessa
    • (as J. Alex Havier)
    'Ducky' Louie
    • Maximo Cuencaas Maximo Cuenca
    Lawrence Tierney
    Lawrence Tierney
    • Lt. Cmdr. Waiteas Lt. Cmdr. Waite
    Leonard Strong
    Leonard Strong
    • Gen. Hommaas Gen. Homma
    Paul Fix
    Paul Fix
    • Bindle Jacksonas Bindle Jackson
    Abner Biberman
    Abner Biberman
    • Japanese Captainas Japanese Captain
    Vladimir Sokoloff
    Vladimir Sokoloff
    • Señor Buenaventura J. Belloas Señor Buenaventura J. Bello
    Erville Alderson
    Erville Alderson
    • Teacheras Teacher
    • (uncredited)
    Spencer Chan
    Spencer Chan
    • Japanese Manas Japanese Man
    • (uncredited)
    W.T. Chang
    • Leaderas Leader
    • (uncredited)
    Robert Clarke
    Robert Clarke
    • Soldieras Soldier
    • (uncredited)
    Roger Cole
    • Wainwright's Aideas Wainwright's Aide
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Edward Dmytryk
    • Writers
      • Ben Barzman(screenplay)
      • Richard H. Landau(screenplay)
      • Æneas MacKenzie(original story)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      John Wayne later said he regretted starring in this film as the director was a Communist.
    • Goofs
      An M4 Sherman tank, standing in as a Japanese tank, approaches a bridge and is blown up. When the smoke clears, the wreckage is now that of an M3 Stuart.
    • Quotes

      Maj. Hasko: I send out 100 men, they find nothing. I send out ten men, they don't come back.

    • Crazy credits
      Opening credits: This story was not invented. The events you are about to see are based on actual incidents. The characters are based on real people. JANUARY 30, 1945 THE JAPANESE PRISON CAMP AT CABANATUAN
    • Alternate versions
      Also available in a computer colorized version.
    • Connections
      Featured in The John Wayne Anthology (1991)

    User reviews42

    Review
    Top review
    6/10
    An All-Too- Rare Look at Filipino Resistance
    The only thing that distinguishes "Back to Bataan" from scores of other routine war films is its historical theme, which remains an uncommon and important one. Few young Americans today have even heard of the Filipino and American disaster at Corregidor and the Bataan Death March that followed, during which numerous sick and hungry prisoners of war were beaten and killed by their Japanese guards. Although the movie accurately portrays the spirit of Filipino resistance to the Japanese, the individual characters from John Wayne down are cut from the usual Hollywood cardboard. Even the real American survivors of Japanese imprisonment, filmed here some months after their liberation during the invasion of the Philippines, are shown, supposedly right after they got out of the Japanese prison camp, freshly shaved and with neatly trimmed hair. Similarly, the guerrilla force led by John Wayne looks little the worse for wear even after two and half years of jungle warfare (whixh seem like about a week in this movie).

    The Japanese lynching of the school principal is well handled. The man has not set out to be a hero, but put under the gun, literally, he is simply unable to haul down the American flag. The invaders hang him as an example.

    Despite its weaknesses, "Back to Bataan" is still watchable and even enjoyable as a different view of World War II, especially if you're a high-schooler who hasn't yet become too cynical about Hollywood war movies. John Wayne and Anthony Quinn are their usual solid selves, and Beulah Bondi (as a naive but tough American matron)is an unusual asset in this kind of action film.
    helpful•16
    5
    • wuxmup
    • May 29, 2006

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 31, 1945 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • The Invisible Army
    • Filming locations
      • Philippines
    • Production company
      • RKO Radio Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $2,490,000
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 35 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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