Back to Bataan

(1945)

95 minutes

Director: Edward Dmytryk

Cast: John Wayne, Anthony Quinn, Beulah Bondi, Richard Loo and Alex Havier

Drama / War

John Wayne stars as Col. Joseph Madden, a survivor of the Japanese attack on the Philippines on May 6, 1942. He is ordered to organize a guerrilla army and enlists the aid of Capt. Andres Bonifacio (Anthony Quinn) after rescuing him from a POW death march. Bonifacio’s girlfriend is a Filipino radio personality, Dolici Dalgado (Fely Franquelli), who is broadcasting Japanese propaganda, secretly sneaking in code for the Americans to provide intelligence on Japanese operations.

Back to Bataan has been recognized by critics for its unflinching portrayal of war, especially on an arena often forgotten by Hollywood. Several scenes are particularly moving and controversial, including the hanging of a school principal because he would not lower the American flag, and footage of the Bataan Death March in which hundreds died at the hands of their captors. It is also important to note the number of Filipino actors and actual POW’s from the event that appeared in the movie.

Back to Bataan - Trailer