The picture is correctly based on Carlson's first-hand account about records of battalion of Marine Raiders. Six weeks after from Japanese attack to Pearl Harbor , Pacific Ocean is full of islands and atolls occupied by Japanese army. Carlson's Raiders are specially trained group of Marine jungle fighters determined to take island of Makin in the Gilberts. For the liberation of Pacific islands is formed an elite brigade composed by daunted soldiers specially prepared. The staff(colonel Randolph Scott, lieutenant J. Carroll Naish) choose the best men, as a two-fisted ex-boxer(Robert Mitchum), a tough countryman(Rod Cameron) , a ex-reverend, a Chinese- American, two grumpy brothers(Noah Beery). For the instruction are justly accepted 900 and lasted six weeks. They're instructed on judo, swimming, knife use, leaping fences, utilization of fixed bayonets and various forms of fighting , including hand-to-hand combat.Their patriotic shouting is Gung Ho, a Chinese words signifying Gung=endeavour, Ho=united. After battle of Sea of coral and Midway and while the Americans are landing in Salomon and Guadalcanal ,the group is assigned a perilous mission. The bunch undergoes a dangerous underwater journey destination Pacific Ocean to annihilate a Japonese garrison on Makin . At the island his most risked assignment results to be the radio station attack, using even a road-roller.Colonel Carlson(aka Thorwald) gets winning, thanks a silly set-up about a roof painting and all resistance ended.
This is a vintage warfare, propaganda film , a jingoist and flag-wager tribute to courage at WWII. Packs the ordinary crew of Marines battling the ¨Yellow Menace¨ on a main base of the Pacific, one of the most difficult and unknown campaigns of the Pacific Theater. Vigorous and action-filled final scenes with memorable shootouts, violent fights that climb all over the screen. Includes a voice in off describing the facts and striking real war footage about stock-shots regarding the sinking ships from Pearl Harbor . Spectacular musical score by Frank Skinner and dated cinematography by Milton Krasker. Special photography effects by usual John P.Fulton.The motion picture is professionally directed by Ray Enright. Indiana-born Enright directed Randolph Scott seven times between 1942-46 and vies with Budd Boetticher for the position of the best Scott helmsman. He's an expert on Westerns such as he proved in Montana, The spoilers,Will Bill Hickock, Bad men of Missouri, among others. Rating : Acceptable and passable warlike film.
This is a vintage warfare, propaganda film , a jingoist and flag-wager tribute to courage at WWII. Packs the ordinary crew of Marines battling the ¨Yellow Menace¨ on a main base of the Pacific, one of the most difficult and unknown campaigns of the Pacific Theater. Vigorous and action-filled final scenes with memorable shootouts, violent fights that climb all over the screen. Includes a voice in off describing the facts and striking real war footage about stock-shots regarding the sinking ships from Pearl Harbor . Spectacular musical score by Frank Skinner and dated cinematography by Milton Krasker. Special photography effects by usual John P.Fulton.The motion picture is professionally directed by Ray Enright. Indiana-born Enright directed Randolph Scott seven times between 1942-46 and vies with Budd Boetticher for the position of the best Scott helmsman. He's an expert on Westerns such as he proved in Montana, The spoilers,Will Bill Hickock, Bad men of Missouri, among others. Rating : Acceptable and passable warlike film.