Army lent technical support to `The Great Raid’

ARNEWS ^ | Aug 12, 2005 | Maj. F. Lee Reynolds

[SandRat]

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (Army News Service, Aug. 12, 2005) - Hollywood and the Army continued their cooperative association with the making of the film "The Great Raid."

Set in the Philippines near the end World War II, “The Great Raid” tells the true story of the rescue of 500 Prisoners of War by the 6th Ranger Battalion and Filipino guerillas.

Infiltrating 30 miles behind Japanese lines, the Rangers risked everything to save men imprisoned for almost three years at the infamous Cabanatuan Japanese POW camp.

To provide an accurate portrayal of events, the film makers reached out to the Army for technical assistance.

"We reviewed the script for accuracy and gave advice on things unique to Army language," said to Maj. Todd Breasseale, Army Public Affairs office in Los Angeles.

However, the Army support went well beyond advice on language. David Cole of the U.S. Army Center for Military History worked as the historical and technical advisor for the film. "My reviews covered historical accuracy in the storyline, appropriate military action and in some cases for continuity," said Cole.

According to Cole, some of the in-depth technical information included the types of U.S. and Japanese weapons and equipment, uniforms and the specific color of paint used on equipment. Even the actual 6th Ranger stationary letterhead and maps carried during the raid were duplicated.

Cole also helped locate the four surviving P-61 aircraft from World War II and provided specifications on U.S. Army Branch and rank insignia used in the southwest Pacific Area in World War II.

There were also several procedural points that took persuasion.

"It was difficult to get across the concept that privates don't hang around with officers," Cole said. "I still had to convince people that first sergeants do not 'take the point' during the march."

Hollywood can’t be expected to know every detail about the Army, officials said. They pointed out that’s why the Army Public Affairs office in Los Angeles and the Center of Military History contribute an essential element to the accuracy of Army-based projects. It adds credibility to the film and provides an accurate and positive image of the Army to the American public, officials said.

The film makers can use the information or choose to ignore it. But, as seen with "The Great Raid," they reached out to the Army from the beginning to make the movie as accurate as possible.

"Fortunately, the crew that I worked with on this production were very professional and had a desire to 'do it right' for which I am very grateful," Cole said.

See related article Great Raid at Cabanatuan depicts Warrior Ethos.

(Editor’s Note: Maj. F. Lee Reynolds is with USAR, 361st Press Camp Headquarters, Fort Totten, New York.)

[SandRat]

WWII History PING!

[ChristianDefender]

I'll be going out later to watch this film... my friends told me that the film was great... i'm a big fan of all World War II veterans, that's why i want to see the remakes of their kick-ass accomplishments...

Unfortunately, one of close friends told me that the film was quite distorted by a "love story bonus" included... why does hollywood always attach this stuff to their films?... they should have spent that time to every heroic actions of my most admired men. ...sad to say

[Americanexpat]

I think this is great and hope the movie is a success.

I also wish they would make serious war movies about our men in Korea.

I'd like to see them make a film about sending the first units into Korea "Task Force Smith", a reinforced battalion sent from Japan, under equipped and under trained because Truman and Congress cut funds so bad troops didn't get enough time on the rifle range. They didn't have enough anti tank weapons that would knock out the soviet tanks. The artillery did not have enough rounds to knock out tanks. Show the fight all the way back to Pusan and the great effort it took to dig in and hold on until we could get enough men and weapons into Korea.

There are a lot of great stories that have never been told. I can not imagine these soldiers and Marines sitting in foxholes freezing and trying to survive during that war. They never got the attention they should have.

I am afraid the movies from Korea will be produced like the bullshit they came out about Vietnam with all its Hollywood leftest prejudices.

[SandRat]

I'd like to see three more movies on Korea.

1. The long fighting withdrawal to the Puson Perimeter
2. The Pusan Perimeter itself
3. Landing at Inchon

[goarmy]

"love story bonus"

This MIGHT be about the woman (dunno her name) who's husband was murdered on the Death March. She opened a bar for Japanese officers, and she and her waitresses were able to cull information from them and pass them on to the US. The tips she received were used to smuggle medicine into the prison camp(s). Sorry if I ruined the movie for you.

[goarmy]

"3. Landing at Inchon"

It's been done. Check this out:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0084132/

[Americanexpat]

Another one might be the withdrawal of the 8th Army from close to the border with China. The 1st Cav had units completely surrounded and wiped out. Some fought their way out through a gauntlet of Chinese troops.

Then they could remake the Marines fighting out of the Chosen Reservoir.

Or just a story about a an infantry company cut off, surrounded and have to make their way south to friendly lines.

There were a lot of old films from the fifties, the "black and white" films that were great.

[ChristianDefender]

ahh.. well thanks for the info, i'll try to remember her name...

[rlmorel]

I would like to see a movie about Chosin.

I have read a few books, and spoken to a few vets of that action. It is one of the great, untold stories of the American Military.

I still want to see a movie about Iwo Jima, just for the historical perspective if done right.

[HiTech RedNeck]

It sounds like the movie makers for this one expect a large audience of veterans. Hollywood isn't known recently for producing documentaries that actually document.

[Red6]

Rangers lead the way.

Red6

[WoodstockCat]

how about a remake of the McConnell Story?

[ASOC]

Can't wait for this one to hit town. I used to watch the P61 Black Widows fly in and out of D-M at the end of their service life for parking in the bone-yard.

The ads we've seen here show two soldiers saying "We need a miracle" You hear the growl of a pair of P&W 2800s as a P-61 flys over head. CAS on call saves the day.

Dad said the nips called them "Whispering Death" due to the night fighting skills of the pilots.

Cool sites
http://www.maam.org/p61art/p61art1.html (art)
http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/research/p61.htm (history)
http://www.zenoswarbirdvideos.com/P-61.html (pilot traing film you can download)

Have fun!

[PAR35]

I also wish they would make serious war movies about our men in Korea.

I assume you have seen "Pork Chop Hill".

You might also check out "Retreat, Hell".

[sonofatpatcher2]

The Great Raid covers one of the lesser known heroics of World War Two. Reviews are mixed and the delay of the film for three years after completion make me hesitant to see it, but most of the Freepers say it is a worthwhile trip. I'll add my two cents after I see it.

I am presently working on a screenplay concerning the use of Soviet pilots secretly flying for North Korea. In my Mig Alley script I will cover the main characters from World War Two's 77th Fighter Squadron, 7th Air Force (American Volunteer Group), that fought and flew along side Russian forces on the Eastern Front to the dog fights between American F-86s and North Korean Migs flown by Soviet pilots.

American Forces knew Soviet pilots were flying Migs against our Sabers, but they kept quiet in the hope they could capture one of the Russians alive. This quest is one of the subplots of my story.

For more info on the other almost unknown AVG "Flying Tigers" in WW2, go to http://777avg.com/unithistory/

[Americanexpat]

Saw both movies. Porl Chop Hill was one of my favoritws bwcause I served in the Army with a man that fought at Pork Chop, he also served two tours in Nam. That's why I didn't mention the movie.

[Americanexpat]

Porl = Pork

[Born Conservative]

Army lent technical support to `The Great Raid’

Isn't this a violation of someone's civil rights? (ala the Scouts receiving support from the military). Where's the ACLU?

All sarcasm aside, I have no problem with the Army helping out on films of historical significance. I can't wait to see this film; will be going to see it sometime within the next 2 weeks.

[Valin]

4 Chosin Reservoir