SummaryFrom director John Dahl comes the stirring true story of one of the most spectacular rescue missions ever to take place in American history: "the great raid on Cabanatuan," the daring exploit that would liberate more than 500 U.S. Prisoners of War in the face of overwhelming odds. A gripping depiction of human resilience, the film vividly brings ... Read More
Directed By:John Dahl
Written By:William B. Breuer, Hampton Sides, Carlo Bernard, Doug Miro
The Great Raid
Metascore
Mixed or Average
48
User score
Generally Favorable
6.8
My Score
Drag or tap to give a rating
Hover and click to give a rating
Not available in your country?
ExpressVPN
Get 3 Extra months free
$6.67/mth
Top Cast
Metascore
Mixed or Average
48
34% Positive
10 Reviews
10 Reviews
48% Mixed
14 Reviews
14 Reviews
17% Negative
5 Reviews
5 Reviews
75
Lacks the visceral sweep of "Saving Private Ryan." But Spielberg's story, for all its gut-wrenching intensity, was a fiction. Dahl's movie, slower in pace and conscious of its own artifice, addresses the same issues of courage and sacrifice - and tells a true story. That's worth something. In fact, it's worth a lot.
67
Truth be told, the film is routine: the kind of one-note war movie that Hollywood used to crank out by the dozens every year in the 1950s.
User score
Generally Favorable
6.8
44% Positive
8 Ratings
8 Ratings
50% Mixed
9 Ratings
9 Ratings
6% Negative
1 Rating
1 Rating
Mar 10, 2019
10
A movie of History. I've been a WWII movie buff since I was a kid, but I have never seen this movie until 2016. I was glued to my TV. I am of Philippine/Greek background. My father born and raised in the Philippines escaped the Philippines when Japan invaded the Islands. He became an engineer on a Merchant ship and came to America where he married my mother. My Uncle was in the Death March and was one of a few that survived. That is why this movie has so much meaning to me. This generation of young people need to know who they are and where they come from. They need to know of history. I am so thankful for those who bring this kind of films to the world. May we all be reminded of the cruelty and injustices of nations who wish to rule over other nations.
Jun 17, 2017
8
Based on the real story of the Cabanatuan raid, this movie is a perfect example of what a great war drama is. It's entertaining, well acted, beautifully shot, the action was really well made, the characters were compelling and the story was engaging. If you like war dramas, I highly suggest you watching this one.
63
The rousing success of the final 45 minutes cannot entirely counterbalance the stumbling uncertainty of the first 90 minutes.
50
Characterizations are rudimentary, performances dull.
50
When it comes to World War II movies, you may never have seen one like this before -- if only because it's like three different movies at the same time.
40
This overlong march will bore all but the most nobly patriotic.
30
A tedious World War II epic that slogs across the screen like a forced march in quicksand.
May 30, 2011
5
The Bataan Death March is one of the most riveting stories of WW II, and I was excited to see this film about a related event featuring a heroic rescue of American prisoners. The action and real-life heroes of the Philippine theater deserve their own "Saving Private Ryan." This isn't it, however. Despite the presence of a bunch of decent actors, the humdrum script and phlegmatic pace of this film make it a long, dull slog. Never quite believed Benjamin Bratt as a dynamic leader, much less the oddly disconnected "romance." (But I will say that the scenes of the actual raid are engrossing and well-done.)
Production Company:
- Miramax
- Marty Katz Productions
- Lawrence Bender Productions
Release Date:Aug 12, 2005
Duration:2 h 12 m
Rating:R
Tagline:Two proud races, brothers-in-arms... A daring mission that will earn them the respect and admiration of the entire world.
Awards
Motion Picture Sound Editors, USA
• 1 Nomination
