Movieography - A select list of Pacific flicks

Wild Bill Wilder | July 13, 2006  | 0 comments  | Print  | E-mail

The name "Movieography" is my own invention to include a list of what I consider to be well worth viewing, if you have an interest in the Pacific Theater of Operations in World War II. Some may be very hard to find. Some video companies can locate them for you, and usually at a very reasonable price, say $20 or less. Am I going to rate them? No, I don’t think so. Each has his own favorite and that one should be number one.

My personal favorites and thus they rank high for me are Sands of Iwo Jima, The Gallant Hours, and Too Late the Hero.

I have read of an upcoming film directed by Clint Eastwood on the Marines at Iwo Jima. I do hope that it will be better than “Heartbreak Ridge.”

Feel free to add your own choices in the forum in case I missed them!

BATAAN (1943), A rear guard action by American troops as the rest of the allied forces move toward Corregidor. Stars include Robert Taylor, Desi Arnez (his first), Thomas Mitchell, and Lloyd Nolan.

WAKE ISLAND (1943), This is a not too historically accurate portrayal of the events on the island prior to its capture. The acting is great, with Brian Donlevy playing Major Devereux. Also appearing are William Bendix and Robert Preston as two Marine buddies.

ONCE BEFORE I DIE (1966), Not a lot of fighting, but accurately portrays the reaction of American and Filipino troops to the Japanese invasion of the Philippines at the beginning of World War II. Richard Jaeckel is superb as Lieutenant Custer. Others appearing include Ron Ely, Ursula Andress and other lesser-known stars.

GUADALCANAL DIARY (1944), A classic, with some classic stars. It is flavored with American propaganda, of course, since it was made during the war, but does give somewhat of an idea of the strained situation on the island for the First Marine Division.

GUNG HO (1943), The attack on Makin by Carlson’s Raiders made such an impact in the States that a movie was made of it. Randolph Scott, who gives you the impression that he and Carlson must have been a lot alike, plays Evans Carlson.

THE GALLANT HOURS (1960), is a cinematic biography of Admiral William "Bull" Halsey, in the critical hours on Guadalcanal. It is a superb movie, and spiced with accurate historical tidbits. James Cagney plays Bull Halsey, and you feel that you know the man personally after you have watched the movie.

TOO LATE THE HERO (1971), Cliff Robertson plays the reluctant Lieutenant sent as an interpreter to accompany disgruntled British soldiers on a mission. Michael Caine also stars, and the two help make it a movie worth watching.

HALLS OF MONTEZUMA (1950), A whole bevy of Hollywood greats enhance this story of Marines running out of time. From the situation described, it sounds like the Peleliu invasion. Stars include Richard Widmark, Richard Boone, Jack Palance, and a number of others. Action scenes are great and a lot of material and vehicles from the Second World War were used.

BETWEEN HEAVEN AND HELL (1956), Robert Wagner is an idealistic young lieutenant, who gets introduced to the harsh realities of war. This one looks at the darker side of the American endeavor, and underlines the fact that not all those who participated were of the heroic gender.

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