American Guerrilla in the Philippines

A rugged war-time combat drama set in 1942 , focusing the actual story of a group of American soldiers in the Philippines who fought with the resistance movement . Classical and true warfare movie titled ¨American Guerrilla in the Philippines¨ , this British title obviously didn't approve of such American jingoist title : ¨I shall Return¨. It stars the great Tyrone Power in the lead and the flick talks about the Phillipines battle , during WWII , concerning on defenders and resistance fighters , but Japan has just invaded ; regarding events happened in Bataan , Corregidor and Leyte .The Japanese army has overrun the Philippines , sending General MacArthur packing , promising to return . The US Army's defense of its Philippines colony and the allied Malay countries/colonies behind it counted on its island fortress of Corregidor on Luzon -and a few others- but loses it in the 6 May 1942 Japanese combined forces attack . Exciting warfare movie following the blockade run that took General Douglas MacArthur and his staff from the Philippines to the safety of Australia , then the survivors of a bombed and sunk PT boat make their way to shore . Ensign Chuck Palmer (Tyrone Power) and crewman Jim Mitchell (Tom Ewell) finally reach Tacloban on the island of Leyte attempting to make Australia by a boat . In a Yankee mission school , Palmer meets the married women Jeanne Martinez (Micheline Presle) and , subsequently , both of whom fall in love . Later on , they are among the escaping survivors who are ordered by general Douglas McArthur to organize a guerrilla , as Chuck forms a guerrilla army to raid Japanese and to help Americans landing on Leyte . As a group of soldiers flee from Japanese repeatedly attack and they head for blowing-up the Japanese installations . The defenders gave a few days for posterior victories and future US conquest like Midway , Island Salomon and Bismark .

This classic warlike movie is nicely starred by Tyrone Power at one of his best and unknown roles as a two-fisted officer , he's accompanied by a plethora of first-rate secondaries , all of them form the small army of Guerrilleros endeavoring to blow up pivotal Japanese headquarters . Stirring actioner warfare completed with slice of military stereotypes although some characters are very one-dimensional . This rousing action saga results to be a a good film dealing with war in human terms . Here director Lang has a sensitive handling of actors and provides an exact compositional sense . Fritz handles in all -especially the battle scenes- with flair play and vigour . There is a fair bit of flag-waving and patriotism , but that was just what was needed when the picture was made . It may not be an awesome film , but this is a thrilling and well made war epic . This colorful movie contains action , breathtaking battles , thrills , historical events , romance , and the battle scenes are impressively made with special mention at the end as they are besieged at a church . Stalwart main cast , Tyrone Power , the French Michellie Presle , both of whom provide splendid interpretations . Being stunningly supported by Tom Ewell giving an eye-catching and sympathetic portrayal , Robert Patten, Tommy Cook , Vic Diaz , Carleton Young , uncredited cameo by Robert Barrat as Gen. Douglas MacArthur and Jack Elam as a grizzled swindler .

This is one of a handful of feature films that have featured the story of the World War II , Philippines surrending and Battle of Bataan , they include as follows : ¨Bataan¨ (1943) by Tay Garnett with Robert Taylor , ¨So proudly we hail ¡¨ by Mark Sandrich (1943) , ¨They were expendable¨ (1945) by John Ford with John Wayne , ¨Back to Bataan¨(1945) by Edward Dmytryck with John Wayne , Anthony Quinn , Beulah Bondi . The film is set into a lush , abundant jungle with nice cinematography in technicolor , though a perfect remastering being extremely necessary . It contains an atmospheric as well as evocative musical score by Cyril J. Mockridge . It is well set in South Pacific , Philippines and shot on location in Manila, Subic Bay, Philippines. The motion picturewas professionally directed by Fritz Lang but far from his classics , being a strange stuff to come from this German ex-patriate filmmaker. He is a prestigious director , his films deal with a deep description of civilized societies , he believes that corruption is an essential part of it , that society punishes sincerity , innocence and love, vengeance and greed determine the behavior of people . Rating : 6.5/10. The picture is pretty well , it is a spectacular picture but resulting to be sometimes a vaguely dull war Hollywood production .

The actual deeds deal with Philippines fall , creation of Guerrillas ,and concerning an unsuccessful attempt by US and Filipino troops under General Douglas MacArthur to defend the peninsular against the Japanese 1 Jan-9 April 1942 . Following the surrender of Bataan , MacArthur was evacuated , but Allies captives were force-marched 95 km/60 mi to the nearest railhead in the Bataan Death March,i ll-treatment by the Japanese guards during the march killed about 16.000 US and Filipino troops .

Not one to see a lot of war films, I have to say I enjoyed "American Guerilla in the Philippines," starring Tyrone Power and directed by Fritz Lang. Power plays a real-life navy man, Chuck Parsons, who helped organize guerrilla forces in the Philippines after MacArthur promised to return. There are some exciting and tense scenes, and also, the film is a tribute to the courage of the Filipinos. There are obvious non-actors in small roles, which is a little distracting, but I suppose this was done for the sake of realism. Power is rugged and handsome as Parsons, and Tom Ewell gives an excellent performance as a wisecracking soldier. Micheline Presle is the de rigeur love interest - it's Tyrone Power who's starring, after all, and their love scenes are great, as are their scenes where she subtly fights her attraction to him. Of course, I'd have caved right in.

Power did not get to meet the real Chuck Parsons until a few months after filming, when Parsons appeared, unannounced, in Power's dressing room when the actor was performing "Mr. Roberts" in London. One must assume Parsons was pleased to have been portrayed by a matinée idol.

Fritz Lang did a wonderful job of directing, but of course, this film is a far cry from Metropolis. It was a hard shoot for Power, as his wife, Linda Christian, miscarried while visiting him on location.

Despite other reviews on this page, Amrican Guerrilla is very watchable. You have to take it for what it is - propaganda to get the U.S. ready for the Korean war.

Had BACK TO BATAAN and BACK TO BATAAN not been made, then I assume that American GUERILLA IN THE PHILIPPINES would probably be a better remembered film. That's because it's an excellent movie in just about every way, but the earlier John Wayne and Robert Taylor films about the Philippines during WWII were very outstanding films and tend to overshadow this Tyrone Power flick.

While the plot is not identical to these other two films, there are many similarities. All three document the heroic efforts of the Philippino partisans as well as that of Americans stuck in this land during the war. About the only noticeable difference was that the Power film was in color and I really think for this subject matter, black and white actually worked better--looking more like what you'd expect a WWII film to look like. Plus, the other two films are just a little more exciting and involving--but this isn't to say this Power film is bad--it just isn't quite as involving.

Still, among the many, many WWII films, this one is a bit better than average and well worth a peek. And, yes, I also noticed the line that said a Navy Ensign is equivalent to an Army Major! I'm surprised that Power, with his WWII experience, would have said such a stupid line. An ensign is most closely equivalent to an Army Lieutennant--a much lower rank.

This is a seldom referenced and very overlooked old movie, but Fritz Lang still shows what an amazing filmmaker he is here. The script is good (not great) but the direction and some surprisingly good acting turn this one into a real winner. Definitely worth watching.

This movie had a rush release just weeks before American soldiers get serious in Korea. A very good feel from this war drama about American fighters stranded in the Philippine Islands waiting for Gen. Douglas MacArthur's return. Guerrilla warfare helps sustain against the invading Japanese in 1942. Some very nice scenery and interesting war action. Top direction from Fritz Lang and potent acting from Tyrone Power and Tom Ewell.