| Author | Message | ||
     Lance Zedric Unregistered guest |
Welcome to the Alamo Scouts website and to the Review Page for The Great Raid. We encourage anywone who has seen the movie to post their comments--good or bad--pro or con--on this page. Also, feel free to browse the other pages, and don't forget to sign the Guestbook. It is time well spent. Here is my review of The Great Raid: http://www.alamoscouts.org/the_great_raid/review.htm | ||
| Mike Kearse Unregistered guest |
Friday 05 August 05 at 1900 Hours my wife and I went to see the Great Raid, It was well done except for they changed the names of Alamo scouts I did not like that at all. The Alamo Scouts should have had more parts in the movie but I give it a 9. | ||
| Barry Dwyer Unregistered guest |
"The untold story behind The Great Raid." You can read my review of "The Great Raid" that ran on The American Thinker website: http://www.alamoscouts.org/the_great_raid/american_thinker/article1.php Also a review by the edtor and publisher of The American Thinker, Thomas Lifson: http://www.alamoscouts.org/the_great_raid/american_thinker/article2.php The American Thinker website: http://www.americanthinker.com/index.php | ||
| Jimmy Sharp Unregistered guest |
I was very disappointed. I knew the story about the raid and was excited about the movie. The Alamo Scouts were mention very little in the movie like maybe three times.Tom Rounsville was my cousin and I was hoping he would be mention in the movie. I was unaware of his name being changed to LeClaire for the movie. I quess I will have to see it again. Tom never talked to me about his exploits, he would tell me about my uncle who died during the Anzio breakout. It wasn't until after his death that I found out about The Alamo Scouts and missions he had been a part of. | ||
| Ruth Coleman Halajian Unregistered guest |
I saw the movie on Aug 15. I was disappointed. I liked the movie, I thought it was good but I expected to see more of the Alamo Scouts. If the Scouts had not been there the Rangers would not have made it. Most would probably have been killed. I knew the story on this raid. My brother was an Alamo Scout. He was Lawrence E. Coleman [graduated in 3rd training class] He was in the Bob Sumner unit. He was not in this raid but did many other missions with his group. One was Pegan Island. I will see this movie again to see if I missed anything. | ||
| Eunice Palencia Carvajal Unregistered guest |
I just saw the movie last week and was quite impressed with the authenticity of the sets and the locations. I was going to school in Manila when WWII broke out and know they used the actual locations of Ft. Santiago, Intramuros,etc. and even resurrected an old Meralco streetcar! The problems that arose between the guerillas and the army were well portrayed. I am glad that this war is not being forgotten and that the new generation are being shown the atrocities that humans will inflict upon others when given power.What was shown was only half as bad as it actually was! | ||
| Jana Kaplan Unregistered guest |
i never knew anything about the war in the pacific, except for what my grandfather, who was in the US Navy on a minesweeper in the Pacific Theatre, told me about his personal experiences. I never learned anything in school about it...and then I went to see the Great Raid. I was totally blown away, and I made a promise to myself to learn more about the events surrounding the Bataan Death March, MacArthur's departure and return to the Phillippines, and the men who languished in the POW Camps - I feel I owe it to them, their memory, their suffering to learn more - it is the least i can do, as they suffered so that I can have my freedom. I stayed up until 2AM to complete Ghost Soldiers by Hampton Sides, which is the book the movie is based upon. The book is far better than the movie, although I have to say that I loved the movie, and if not for the mention of the Alamo Scouts in the book, I never would have known - the raid never would have been a success without them. | ||
| Mark J. Reinholz Unregistered guest |
I saw the "The Great Raid" and was both impressed and depressed. Were the 6th Ranger really a Latino organization? The actors made it appear that that was predominatrely so. The Alamo Scouts did get very short shift. It unfortunately appeared that the movie was written for those of use who knew something about the events portrayed. It was like the director just wanted to make sure he mentioned all the right characters. To Lance's comment about the aircraft. I beleive the aircraft shown in the movie was a PV-2 Harpoon. C-47/DC-3s do not have a twin tail assembly. The PV-2 while not a P-61 is a time period correct aircraft. | ||
| Russ Blaise Board Administrator Username: Admin Post Number: 105 Registered: 01-2003 |
Mark, thanks for your review of the movie. During the Q&A after the screening of the movie, Director John Dahl, after someone asked about the aircraft used in the film, said that it was a C-47/DC-3 with an added twin tall assembly to make it look like a P-61. I do have to agree with some of your other comments. | ||
| Mark J. Reinholz Unregistered guest |
Russ, A P-61 has a silhouette like a P-38. Twin booms with the engines and a center pod with the Pilot, radar operator and on some versions a gunner to fire the 4 gun turret on the top. The aircraft in the movie is a single fuselage. | ||
| Russ Blaise Board Administrator Username: Admin Post Number: 106 Registered: 01-2003 |
Mark, I can only tell you what the director, John Dahl personally told me about the aircraft used in the movie. That it was a C-47/DC-3 in place of a P-61. Yes the P-61 Black Widow does resemble the P-38. I don't think we're in disagreement over that fact. As far as if the aircraft used in the movie being either a PV-2 Harpoon or a C-47/DC-3, I would have to wait until the DVD comes out and show it to a friend of mine who is a WWII aircraft expert. Hopefully it will be a Directors Cut and they include the screen with the Alamo Scouts that they cut out. One could only hope... | ||
| Mark J. Reinholz Unregistered guest |
Any word on the release of a DVD of "The Great Raid"? | ||
| Russ Blaise Board Administrator Username: Admin Post Number: 107 Registered: 01-2003 |
Haven't heard any work on it. Once I do I'll post it on the website. | ||
| Rene Tababa Unregistered guest |
I watched "The Great Raid" movie here in Manila with great expectation. My father CIRO G. TABABA, a soldier in the Philippine Scouts fought in Bataan, suffered in the Death March, rejoined the Filipino Guerrillas in Panay Island under Gen. Macario Peralta, and met Gen. MacArthur when he landed in Red Beach, Leyte, where he met a number of the Alamo Scouts - many of whom were Filipinos. When we were in grade schools in the 60's, and even now, every April 9th, the Fall of Bataan, we would gather around, and he would tell us his experiences in World War II. A couple of years ago, we went on a pilgrimage to Mt. Samat in Bataan, and he pointed to us the places where the USAFE fought - Americans and Filipinos, and finally, the place where they surrendered and started the infamous Death March, then up to their POW camps. We also went to the "LIBINGAN NG MGA BAYANI" (Heroes Cemetery) here in Manila, and he would point to the names in the marble slabs, names of American officers (Philippine Scouts where under the US Army commanded by Americans) who died in the early days of the war, those who perished in Death March and POW camps, including those who died while being brought to Japan and Manchuria POW Camps. The Great Raid is a nostalgic movie, reminds us how war can be so cruel to all, but also tells a story of heroism and sacrifice in the diriest of moments that bring out the worst and best in humanity. My father always thought the Japanese were more cruel than the Germans in their treatment of POWs and sure that was clear in the movie. But the Americans were also systematic in their slaughter of the Japs - as my father used to say: The only good Jap is a dead Jap (in WWII), and I saw that in the movie - no prisoners, no survivors of the Japanese in the POW Camp. The Raid clings to history as best as it could, but a movie is an artistic rendition of events clouded by time and fading memory in time totally different, so pardon the minor misses. Congratulations, Director DAHL !!! | ||
| Mark Reinholz Unregistered guest |
I saw a television ad for "The Great Raid" the DVD. Apparently it is out on DVD. | ||
| Russ Blaise Board Administrator Username: Admin Post Number: 110 Registered: 01-2003 |
I just got back from the video store and there it was on the shelves. I did not rent it because I want to buy the DVD. Looked it up on amazon.com, it's going for, $27.99 for the Widescreen Director's Cut. and $20.99 for the Full Screen Edition. I read somewhere else that the Director's Cut comes with a book if you pay the list price of $39.99. Here is a break down on the two different DVD editions: Great Raid Director's Cut Edition (2-disc DVD) Presentation: Wide Screen Features: Feature commentary with director John Dahl, producer Marty Katz, technical advisor captain Dale Dye, editor Scott Chestnut and author Hampton Sides; The Price of Freedom: Making The Great Raid; Extended deleted scenes with commentary; The Ghosts of Bataan: A 60-minute documentary; The Veterans Remember; History lesson with author Hampton Sides ; Captain Dale Dye's boot camp; Boot camp outtakes; Mixing the Great Raid; The mix board with special audio options; War in the Pacific interactive timeline; Dedication to the soldiers of Bataan Language: English, English Editions: Director's Cut Time: 2 Hours 11 Minutes Great Raid Theatrical Edition (single disc DVD) Presentation: Standard Screen Features: Deleted scenes (with optional director commentary) ÒThe Price of FreedomÓ - Making The Great Raid, Captain Dale DyeÕs Boot Camp, War In The Pacific Interactive Timeline, Sound Mixing The Great Raid, The Mix Board, The Veterans Remember, Feature Commentary with the director, producer, technical advisor, editor and book author. Time: 133 minutes Target: 19.99, Walmart: 19.96 for the Theatrical Edition. | ||
| Russ Blaise Board Administrator Username: Admin Post Number: 111 Registered: 01-2003 |
The Standard Screen Edition does not include any added footage involving scenes of the Alamo Scouts. We have not thus far had a report of what added footage of the Widescreen Director's Cut Edition has been included. | ||
| Laurance F. Sitter Unregistered guest |
I waited 60 years for the story to be told and was disappointed by the slight given the Alamo Scouts and particularly, Bill Nellist. My father was in that camp and volunteered to stay behind (with Bill's team) and care for Dr. Fisher. The story of their recon and rear guard action, including a run-in with Huk guerillas would have added so much to the movie. When I was in Army Ranger school (in 1964) the raid was mentioned but not used as a training lesson b/c it was still classified! I was disppointed after a 60 year wait. | ||
| mark laquier Unregistered guest |
I was disappointed about the movie. alamo scouts should have been mentioned more. my uncle francis laquier was a alamo scout. | ||
| Duke DuShane Unregistered guest |
Had read the book " Silent Warrior's" was disappointed there wasn't better coverage in the movie about the "Scouts", in fact being a former combat Ranger (Vietnam)(6-Man Team Leader)P/75 I was disappointed in the whole movie, nothing,was fully developed, it was three movies put together as one. I'd love to see a movie made based on the Book "Silent Warriors". Duke DuShane 75th Ranger Regt.Association Past Pres. Member Ranger Hall of Fame Member Alamo Scouts Association (Bronze) | ||
| Priscilla SyCip Bogner New member Username: Pbogner Post Number: 1 Registered: 03-2006 |
Just watched "The Great Raid" two nights ago. Don't know why I did not notice it when it came out last year. I thought it was a very moving story, and something worth telling about the great men and women of World War II." I was confused about who the Rangers were and who the Alamo Scouts were in this movie. When I went back and read Lance Zedric's section on Cabanatuan, I was also disappointed that credit was not give to the Scouts in the movie. Apparently Lt. Dove played a great part in that raid. As some of you know also, Lt. Dove played a big part in rescuing my entire family from Fuga Island, as described in your feature article "Miracle Mission." I'll have to watch the movie again. | ||
| Priscilla SyCip Bogner New member Username: Pbogner Post Number: 2 Registered: 03-2006 |
Lance: This is Priscilla SyCip Bogner (Lily) Can't pull up your review on The Great Raid. My husband Ron just pulled up the article in the Great American Thinker which was published on March 2, 2006. I'm sure you have already read it, but I would be interested in your review of the movie. | ||
| Matthew J. Bushong New member Username: Gwizz Post Number: 1 Registered: 03-2006 |
I watched "The Great Raid" and thoroughly enjoyed it. I read "Ghost Soldiers" before seeing the movie and "The Great Raid" book afterwards. Although some "artistic license" was taken I thought it was pretty accurate. It was ashame that the Alamo Scouts did not get their just recognition. However... it is a movie... not a documentary. I received the DVD of the movie and have watched it several times. I am part of the "Baby Boomer" generation and was not in the military, so I can't speak from experience. My wife is Filipino. Her mother has told us of her terrible experiences under Japanese occupation in the Philippines. Matt | ||
| Robert E. Johnson New member Username: Robersabel Post Number: 1 Registered: 05-2009 |
I happen to watch the History Channel last night involving the reenactment of portions of the mission by the 6th Ranger Battalion. I discovered the following: Our ostensible reason for the creation this particular webpage may have been with regard to Lt Col Henry Mucci, but one of the main themes of the film and the story of Cabanatuan was the sacrifice of so many heroes who received so little recognition; Captain Jack Utinsky was one of them. The man was literally dragged through the mud for sixty miles at Bataan, and died among thousands of other anonymous heroes, and we find it repugnant to have his name dragged through the mud over sixty years after his death, adding insult to injury for no good reason. "Little recognition" Even today the majority of veterans participated in the Battle of Bataan receive little recognition. As recent as 2003 Congressman Patrick Kennedy presented the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB) to a former AAF member of the First Provisional Air Corp Regiment, II Corps. I discovered hundreds of WWII veterans awarded the CIB that did not possess the Military Occupational Speciality (MOS) of an infantryman. According to War Department Circular 269, dated 27 October 1943, it was not required. The MOS was not required until the 1960's, and is not retroactive to the WWII era. Yet, today the Army refuses to follow the guideline, and history of awards. What is the answer? | ||
| Russ Blaise Board Administrator Username: Admin Post Number: 117 Registered: 01-2003 |
First thing, Robert. This particular webpage was not created with regards to, Lt Col Henry Mucci. In fact, the creator of this webpage does not hold, Lt Col Henry Mucci in any level to regards. The Cabanatuan Raid was all about him and the Rangers and how he wanted history to remember it. As far as the men that lost their lives in the Bataan Death March, they get plenty of recognition. Maybe not enough, but a good amount. There are plenty of books at there on the subject. Maybe they don't name each person, and it's probably because there were so many of them, we can't mention all of them. I've seen a few documentaries where Death March survivors talk about some of the brutality they saw on the march. I've known a few of theses men and listened to their stories. It's up to each of us to pick the heroes we want to honor. Like I did with building a website about the Alamo Scouts. If you feel passionate enough about people like, Captain Jack Utinsky, build a website, do the research, write a book. That's how the word gets out... | ||
| Robert E. Johnson New member Username: Robersabel Post Number: 2 Registered: 05-2009 |
Since you prefer no private mail... >It's up to each of us to pick the heroes we want to honor. Like I did with building a website about the Alamo Scouts. If you feel passionate enough about people like, Captain Jack Utinsky, build a website, do the research, write a book. That's how the word gets out... Passion and a book will not correct the injustice experienced by veterans of Bataan lacking recognition. It is ironic you stated "write a book." A retired Colonel found time to write a book about the unit which many members served in the battle. However, today since his profession (surgeon) does not allow time to seek justice for veterans he wrote about, he offers no support. Money defiantly talks. What brought my attention to the subject was a fellow citizen of yours in Tucson. He is an 89 year old retired USAF Colonel. Since he resides in a nursing home, he asked for my assistance in the process of receiving what was earned as a participant of the battle. I researched his unit, and discovered he earned the Bronze Star Medal and Combat Infantryman Badge, (CIB) (among others). As stated in my original input, as recent as 2003, Congressman Kennedy (RI) presented a fellow member of the unit the CIB. Yet today, the Army refuses to recognize members of the unit to receive the CIB regardless of the guideline or history of recipients assigned to the unit. Perhaps someone will find the effort to get off their tail, and possibly follow the Uniform Code of Military Justice, Aritcle 92, Failure to Obey Order or Regulation. Robert | ||
| Russ Blaise Board Administrator Username: Admin Post Number: 119 Registered: 01-2003 |
Understand something... someone lacking recognition for being on the Bataan Death March and being killed is not my battle. Someone not receiving a Bronze Star Medal or a Combat Infantryman Badge that might be due to them outside of the Alamo Scouts, is not my battle. The Army refusing to recognize members of a unit and receive the CIB regardless of the guideline or history of recipients assigned to the unit, is not my battle. If someone in a nursing home asked for your assistance in the process of receiving what is dues to him, then you have your work cut out for you. I would suggest getting to work before this gentleman passes on. There are forms you can fill out to get someone what is due for people that fought in past wars. Start with calling or writing your Congressman. Since you posted on the message board with your comment. I do prefer keeping this topic open to the public to read. Oh, believe it or not. Giving recognition to people for what they have done or suffered during the war by writing a book or building a website, goes along way. I've seen it for myself and get thanked all the time... |
