The Great Raid

Chicago Sun Times ^ | by Roger Ebert

[Blue Turtle]

Here is a war movie that understands how wars are actually fought. After "Stealth" and its high-tech look-alikes, which make warfare look like a video game, "The Great Raid" shows the hard work and courage of troops whose reality is danger and death. The difference between "Stealth" and "The Great Raid" is the difference between the fantasies of the Pentagon architects of "shock and awe" and the reality of the Marines who were killed in Iraq last week.

[WestTexasWend]

Where's the "Not this $hi+ again" pic?

Won't even bother to read his entire review but this IS a good movie, so don't let the fact that this windbag likes it keep you from going.

[Paradox]

Ebert is a good movie reviewer, he often likes movies that other critics dislike, because he was entertained by them, not perhaps because of their technical attributes. But he does have a problem, he is a flippin, ignorant, leftie. He can't help but bash the Iraq war a little, in ways that shows his ignorance. I recall he fell for that urban legend about presidential IQ's a while back..

Having said that, he seems to like this movie, and I'll try to catch it sometime soon.

[RedRepublic]

"The Great Raid" is a good movie. I saw it on Sunday.

[Americanexpat]

You should have read the rest of the review, pretty good stuff.

One point he makes is that even with stealth bombers, armed drones and all the high tech stuff it is the professional soldier and Marine on the ground that fights the dirty part of the war, up close and personal. The same way our soldiers and Marines are doing in Iraq and Afghanistan today.

[linear]

I saw this movie on Sat - it was great. The audience clapped at the end. Definitely stay for the credits.

[flixxx]

I do read Ebert's reviews (though you need to filter out his leftist rants) and find them useful...I really do miss Gene Siskel, though as he tended to keep Ebert balanced.

[RedBeaconNY]

Would you take a 14-year-old kid to it?

[GovGirl]

Great movie. The footage at the end really got me. I had been kleenex free up until the credits role. The Great Raid is definitely worth paying full price at the theater.

[pbear8]

Brought kleenex too and used it! DH and I saw it after church on Sunday. Enjoyed seeing the actual footage at the end!

[linear]

In my opinion, definitely not material for a 14 year old. The violence isn't overdone, just very realistic.

[larryav8r]

Unfortunately it's not playing around here (Champaign, IL) yet. I'm anxious to see it. Hope I don't have to wait till it comes out on DVD.

[PigRigger]

"Would you take a 14-year-old kid to it?..."Most definitely.

My wife and I had the same conversation with regard to whether we would let our 11 year old daughter see it.

We saw the movie on the anniversary of the Hiroshima bombing. Enlight of that fact, we thought it might be a way to communicate to our daughter why our country felt it was necessary to resort to such a drastic measure. It put into context the circumstances surrounding the actions that were decided upon.

It portrayed the Japanese in a very disturbing and brutal way. Unfortunately, this is something our liberal schools and MSM will never do and something our children need to understand, especially with regard to the WOT they will inherit.

[RedRepublic]

This movie is rated "R". But I think a 14 year old child can handle it. Many video games out there are more violent.

"The Great Raid" will remind you the good old days and patriotism. At the end of the movie, a short film bout the real heroes of the story was shown.

Too bad so few people have seen it. Most of moviegoers watched other contemporary comedies.

[stumpy]

As a point of information (I have not seen the movie, but have read both of the books). One of the men involved in the "great raid", also participated in the raid of the Ton son Nhe prisoner camp in north vietnam.

Imagine the kind of shape that man kept himself in. W.W. II, Korea and Viet Nam. Still able to participate in special operations.

[PigRigger]

"Imagine the kind of shape that man kept himself in. W.W. II, Korea and Viet Nam. Still able to participate in special operations....."

Couldn't agree more; I hold a great deal of respect for the men and women who have served, and who are currently serving, our country. I never served, never needed to, thanks to the sacrifice of all these individuals (including yourself I see from your profile). For that, they (a and yourself) have my humble thanks and gratitude.

I made it a point to see this movie; my uncle served in the Philippines, served/worked for a time with a group called Merill' Marauders. He recently wrote his memoirs about his experiences in the Philippines and China. Although he has yet to publish them; he did share them with us when my father died (his brother).

The brutality he witnessed at the hands of the Japanese was incredibly disturbing to read about. How he sleeps at night I will never know.

[pabianice]

Don't be fooled! Saw this today with my lady and it is GREAT! I'm retired Navy and found it compelling and very exciting. The Libs will HATE this movie for its acurate portrayal of the wartime Japanese as monsters who abused and murdered soldier and civilian alike.

See it. You will be moved and greatly entertained.

[Mr. Jeeves]

"The Great Raid" is shaping up to be one of the year's biggest box office flops. I don't know whether it was poorly marketed (probably) or just didn't get any word of mouth, but at this rate it will be lucky to make $10 million dollars.