Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Benjamin Bratt | ... | Lt. Colonel Mucci | |
James Franco | ... | Captain Prince | |
Robert Mammone | ... | Captain Fisher | |
Max Martini | ... | 1st Sgt. Sid "Top" Wojo | |
James Carpinello | ... | Cpl. Aliteri | |
Mark Consuelos | ... | Cpl. Guttierez | |
Craig McLachlan | ... | 2nd Lt. Riley | |
Freddie Joe Farnsworth | ... | 2nd Lt. Foley | |
Laird Macintosh | ... | 2nd Lt. O'Grady | |
Jeremy Callaghan | ... | Lt. Able | |
Scott McLean | ... | Lt. LeClaire | |
Paolo Montalban | ... | Sgt. Valera | |
Clayne Crawford | ... | PFC Aldrige | |
Sam Worthington | ... | PFC Lucas | |
Royston Innes | ... | Sgt. Adams |
Set in the Philippines in 1945 towards the end of WWII, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Henry Mucci and Captain Robert Prince, the 6th Ranger Battalion undertake a daring rescue mission against all odds. Traveling thirty miles behind enemy lines, they intend to liberate over 500 American Soldiers from the notorious Cabanatuan Japanese POW camp in the most audacious rescue ever. Written by themusicman999
In terms of lasting value, I believe The Great Raid is one of the best films to have graced the screen this year. It's a straightforward war movie about unsung heroes. The story involves the basic facts of a Japanese POW camp which was liberated near the end of the Japanese occupation of the Phillipines. American soldiers and Phillipino resistance fighters teamed up to chance a daring raid on the heavily guarded camp. Fictional elements are added to the story, such as a surprisingly compelling love story, and believable explorations of friendships among both prisoners and fighters.
The script is good, the acting and editing superb, and the photography is very good. The film is violent, but does not wallow in flying guts and body parts as has been the recent fashion. Nothing flashy, nothing overwhelming, just solid craftsmanship. This is a film which is less concerned with making an impression than it is with telling a story, and I found that very refreshing. In my opinion, the film succeeds completely in telling its simple story and will likely be recognized for years to come as one of the better war films of recent times. All of the acting in this film is excellent, but watch for the standout performances from Marton Csokas, Joseph Fiennes, James Franco and Connie Nielsen.