The Great Raid

[Wing Nut]

Has anyone heard about this movie yet?  It's based on the book "Ghost Soldiers" and tells the story of the rescue of some 500 American prisoners, survivors of the Bataan Death March, from the Japanese near the end of WWII.  The Japs were executing American prisoners wholesale as they were forced to retreat, and it was decided that rather than let that happen, a battalion of Rangers (who had never even seen combat yet) would break through the lines and attempt to retrieve them.

The book "Ghost Soldiers" was deeply moving, and told in detail of the raid, the Japanese atrocities, and the help of the Phillipine underground during the attack on Cabanatuan.  It looks interesting, but there is a love story aspect that certainly shouldn't be there.  I really hope Hollywood doesn't screw this up.  After "A Bridge too Far", this is probably my favorite book on WWII...

[ozzy72]

I wouldn't hold your lungs unto bursting point if I were you Kevin, remember what they did to A Bridge To Far? And things have got much worse since then......

[Wing Nut]

I think "A Bridge Too Far" is ripe for a remake right now...  ;)

[ozzy72]

I don't think they could afford it. Pity as the film wasn't bad but it left a lot out from the book.
As a film on its own merits 'twas good, but those of us who had read the book were disappointed. I guess Hollywood depends on non-readers for the bulk of its audience

[Hagar]

The average book is too long for a feature film so it has to be abridged. That's unless you do something like the original Das Boot. Not too many film goers would be prepared to sit in a cinema for that length of time. For some reason most directors feel they have to change the storyline & characters too. I never figured that one out. If it's a great story, why change it?

[ozzy72]

Maybe most directors can't read?

[Hagar]

More likely they can read but can't understand the plot.

[Wing Nut]

More likely the dollar signs get in the way of their dedication to the project.

[Hagar]

To me it just shows their opinion of the intelligence of their average customer.

[ozzy72]

Hey now lets not insult any cheese and pickle sandwiches here

[Wing Nut]

Where did THAT come from?  :)

[ozzy72]

The observation that the average person who believes Hollywoods version of history is less intelligent than a cheese and pickle sandwich.....

[ATI_7500]

Just another unnecessary Hollywood movie.

[Wing Nut]

I wouldn't say unnescessary.  It's an excellent story and I would refrain from commenting on the necessity until you've read it.  This is the largest rescue of allied POWs in WWII and it was done by a unit that was outnumbered about 10,000 to 120.  Add to that the fact that they had never seen combat, and you have a great story.  It's how it's handeled that defines it's worth.

[JBaymore]

[quote]I really hope Hollywood doesn't screw this up.