Back to Bataan
Encyclopedia
Back to Bataan is a World War II
war film
produced by Robert Fellows
, directed by Edward Dmytryk
and starring John Wayne
and Anthony Quinn
. It was produced by RKO Radio Pictures. It depicts events (some fictionalized and some actual) that took place after the Battle of Bataan
(1941 - 1942) on the island of Luzon
in the Philippines
. The working title
of the film was The Invisible Army.
prisoner of war
camp. The film then flashes back to 1942.
As American forces under General MacArthur are forced to pull out of Bataan, Colonel Joseph Madden (John Wayne
) of the U.S. Army, stays behind to organize guerrilla fighters against the occupying Japanese forces in the Philippines. Madden teams up with Filipino resistance fighters to liberate POW's from Cabanatuan.
One of his officers, Captain Andrés Bonifácio (Anthony Quinn
), carries a heavy burden. Not only does he have to live up to being the grandson of Andrés Bonifacio
a national hero, but his former fiancée Dalisay Delgado (Fely Franquelli) is apparently collaborating
with the Japanese, broadcasting propaganda over the radio. (In actuality, Ms. Delgado was also using the propaganda broadcasts as a means to relay sensitive information to the Filipino resistance without incurring Japanese suspicions - a fact known only to Col. Madden and his superiors.)
Actual U.S. soldiers liberated from the POW camp at Cabanatuan in 1945 were used as extras in the recreation of that event.
had previously made two war films with fictional characters based on true incidents in the War in the Pacific
; Bombardier
based on the Doolittle Raid
and Marine Raiders
and also produced the John Wayne western
Tall in the Saddle
for RKO. Fellows strongly believed that an account of the initial defeat and guerilla resistance of the American and Filipino forces as well as MacArthur's return would be a splendid tribute and a profitable film. Fellows contacted the Office of War Information and the American military who agreed as well as provided their assistance.
The film took 130 days to shoot based on the rapidly changing news of the time. Two thirds of the way through filming, the invasion of the Philippines
occurred causing several script changes and rewrites in order to keep up with current events. The Raid at Cabanatuan
and release of prisoners was also rapidly incorporated into the screenplay with scenes of a recreation of the 6th Ranger Battalion
attacking the prison camp placed on the beginning of the film with appearances of recently released prisoners added to the end of the film.
Ben Barzman
's screenplay emphasised Filipino nationalism as much as American patriotism. A Filipino schoolteacher who reminds a Filpino schoolboy of Philippine nationalism is later ordered by the Japanese conquerors to take down the American flag in his schoolyard which he refuses to do. The Japanese hang him on the flagpole. Barzman's screenplay also can be taken as an instruction of how to set up a guerrilla warfare
campaign.
Back to Bataan was Wayne's first encounter with Americans with open Communist sympathies and beliefs as during the filming Barzman and director Edward Dmyrtyk were outspoken on their communist views. When Wayne heard that Barzman and Dmytryk were openly belittling the religion of the film's technical advisor
Colonel George S. Clarke (who had commanded the 57th Infantry Regiment
of the Philippine Scouts
during the Battle of Bataan
and was roughly Wayne's real life counterpart), and mocking him with renditions of the Internationale, he confronted Dmytryk, asking him if he was a Communist. Dmytryk replied that he wasn't but if "the masses of the American people wanted communism it would be good for our country. Though not admitting Dmyrtyk was a communist, Wayne felt that he was by his use of the word "masses". By contrast, Barzman's wife Norma recalled Wayne being friendly with her husband with Wayne hugging him and calling him a "goddammned communist" with Barzman jokingly replying that Wayne was a "fascist".
During the filming Dmytryk and Barzman found out that Wayne refused to use a stunt double and together collaborated in writing scenes for Wayne that they thought would have Wayne insist on a stunt double to do the painful scenes. In one scene Wayne was required to be lifted in the air by leather harness to simulate being blown by an explosion and in another scene Wayne and Anthony Quinn had to enter an icy pond to remain underwater for a lengthy time breathing through a reed. Wayne did the stunts but as he drank a bracing whiskey told Barzman "You better be goddamn sure we don't find out this is something you dreamed up out of your little head as a parting gift".
In her book The Star-entangled Banner, Sharon Delmendo views the film as Wayne being a surrogate for Douglas MacArthur. He has to face the wrath of his Filipino officers asking him where American help is, then later leaves the Philippines by submarine to return like MacArthur, in the invasion.
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
war film
War film
War films are a film genre concerned with warfare, usually about naval, air or land battles, sometimes focusing instead on prisoners of war, covert operations, military training or other related subjects. At times war films focus on daily military or civilian life in wartime without depicting battles...
produced by Robert Fellows
Robert Fellows
Robert Fellows or Robert M. Fellows was an American film producer who was once a production partner with John Wayne and later Mickey Spillane.-Biography:...
, directed by Edward Dmytryk
Edward Dmytryk
Edward Dmytryk was an American film director who was amongst the Hollywood Ten, a group of blacklisted film industry professionals who served time in prison for being in contempt of Congress during the McCarthy-era 'red scare'.-Early life:Dmytryk was born in Grand Forks, British Columbia, Canada,...
and starring John Wayne
John Wayne
Marion Mitchell Morrison , better known by his stage name John Wayne, was an American film actor, director and producer. He epitomized rugged masculinity and became an enduring American icon. He is famous for his distinctive calm voice, walk, and height...
and Anthony Quinn
Anthony Quinn
Antonio Rodolfo Quinn-Oaxaca , more commonly known as Anthony Quinn, was a Mexican American actor, as well as a painter and writer...
. It was produced by RKO Radio Pictures. It depicts events (some fictionalized and some actual) that took place after the Battle of Bataan
Battle of Bataan
The Battle of Bataan represented the most intense phase of Imperial Japan's invasion of the Philippines during World War II. The capture of the Philippine Islands was crucial to Japan's effort to control the Southwest Pacific, seize the resource-rich Dutch East Indies, and protect its Southeast...
(1941 - 1942) on the island of Luzon
Luzon
Luzon is the largest island in the Philippines. It is located in the northernmost region of the archipelago, and is also the name for one of the three primary island groups in the country centered on the Island of Luzon...
in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. The working title
Working title
A working title, sometimes called a production title, is the temporary name of a product or project used during its development, usually used in filmmaking, television production, novel, video game, or music album.-Purpose:...
of the film was The Invisible Army.
Plot
The film begins with the then recent US Army Ranger raid at CabanatuanRaid at Cabanatuan
The Raid at Cabanatuan was a rescue of Allied prisoners of war and civilians from a Japanese camp near Cabanatuan City, in the Philippines...
prisoner of war
Prisoner of war
A prisoner of war or enemy prisoner of war is a person, whether civilian or combatant, who is held in custody by an enemy power during or immediately after an armed conflict...
camp. The film then flashes back to 1942.
As American forces under General MacArthur are forced to pull out of Bataan, Colonel Joseph Madden (John Wayne
John Wayne
Marion Mitchell Morrison , better known by his stage name John Wayne, was an American film actor, director and producer. He epitomized rugged masculinity and became an enduring American icon. He is famous for his distinctive calm voice, walk, and height...
) of the U.S. Army, stays behind to organize guerrilla fighters against the occupying Japanese forces in the Philippines. Madden teams up with Filipino resistance fighters to liberate POW's from Cabanatuan.
One of his officers, Captain Andrés Bonifácio (Anthony Quinn
Anthony Quinn
Antonio Rodolfo Quinn-Oaxaca , more commonly known as Anthony Quinn, was a Mexican American actor, as well as a painter and writer...
), carries a heavy burden. Not only does he have to live up to being the grandson of Andrés Bonifacio
Andres Bonifacio
Andrés Bonifacio y de Castro was a Filipino nationalist and revolutionary. He was a founder and later Supremo of the Katipunan movement which sought the independence of the Philippines from Spanish colonial rule and started the Philippine Revolution...
a national hero, but his former fiancée Dalisay Delgado (Fely Franquelli) is apparently collaborating
Collaborationism
Collaborationism is cooperation with enemy forces against one's country. Legally, it may be considered as a form of treason. Collaborationism may be associated with criminal deeds in the service of the occupying power, which may include complicity with the occupying power in murder, persecutions,...
with the Japanese, broadcasting propaganda over the radio. (In actuality, Ms. Delgado was also using the propaganda broadcasts as a means to relay sensitive information to the Filipino resistance without incurring Japanese suspicions - a fact known only to Col. Madden and his superiors.)
Cast
- John WayneJohn WayneMarion Mitchell Morrison , better known by his stage name John Wayne, was an American film actor, director and producer. He epitomized rugged masculinity and became an enduring American icon. He is famous for his distinctive calm voice, walk, and height...
- Col. Joseph Madden - Anthony QuinnAnthony QuinnAntonio Rodolfo Quinn-Oaxaca , more commonly known as Anthony Quinn, was a Mexican American actor, as well as a painter and writer...
- Capt. Andrés Bonifácio - Beulah BondiBeulah BondiBeulah Bondi was an American actress.Bondi began her acting career as a young child in theater, and after establishing herself as a stage actress, she reprised her role in Street Scene for the 1931 film version...
- Bertha Barnes - Fely FranquelliFely FranquelliFely Franquelli was a Filipino dancer, choreographer, and actress. Franquelli became known in the international dance scene in the 1930s.-Early life and career:Franquelli, who was of Filipino, Spanish, and Italian, was born in Manila...
- Dalisay Delgado - Richard LooRichard LooRichard Loo was a Chinese American film actor who was one of the most familiar Asian character actors in American films of the 1930s and 1940s. A prolific actor, he appeared in over 120 films between 1931 and 1982....
- Maj. Hasko - Philip Ahn - Col. Coroki
- Alex Havier - Sgt. Bernessa
- 'Ducky' Louie - Maximo Cuenca
- Lawrence TierneyLawrence TierneyLawrence Tierney was an American actor, known for his many screen portrayals of mobsters and hardened criminals, which mirrored his own frequent brushes with the law....
- Lt. Cmdr. Waite - Leonard StrongLeonard Strong (actor)Leonard Clarence Strong Leonard Clarence Strong Leonard Clarence Strong (b. 12 August 1908, Utah - d. 23 January 1980, Glendale, California was a prolific American character actor specialising in playing Asian roles....
- Gen. Homma - Paul FixPaul FixPaul Fix was an American film and television character actor, best known for his work in westerns. Fix appeared in more than a hundred movies and dozens of television shows over a 56-year career spanning from 1925 to 1981...
- Bindle Jackson - Abner BibermanAbner BibermanAbner Biberman , was an American actor, director, and screenwriter...
- Japanese captain at schoolhouse - Vladimir Sokoloff - Señor Buenaventura J. Bello
- John MiljanJohn MiljanJohn Miljan was an American actor of Serbian origin. He appeared in 201 films between 1924 and 1958.He died from cancer.-Selected filmography:* The Lone Chance * Silent Sanderson...
- General "Skinny" Wainright {Uncredited}
Actual U.S. soldiers liberated from the POW camp at Cabanatuan in 1945 were used as extras in the recreation of that event.
Production
Producer and future production partner of John Wayne Robert FellowsRobert Fellows
Robert Fellows or Robert M. Fellows was an American film producer who was once a production partner with John Wayne and later Mickey Spillane.-Biography:...
had previously made two war films with fictional characters based on true incidents in the War in the Pacific
War In The Pacific
War in the Pacific is a 2004 two-player turn-based computer war game published by Matrix games. It is a very large, complex, and detailed simulation of the Pacific Theatre of World War II, at both the operational and strategic level....
; Bombardier
Bombardier (film)
Bombardier is a 1943 film war drama about the training program for bombardiers of the United States Army Air Forces. The film stars Pat O'Brien and Randolph Scott. Bombardier was nominated for an Academy Award in 1944 for the special effects used in the film...
based on the Doolittle Raid
Doolittle Raid
The Doolittle Raid, on 18 April 1942, was the first air raid by the United States to strike the Japanese Home Islands during World War II. By demonstrating that Japan itself was vulnerable to American air attack, it provided a vital morale boost and opportunity for U.S. retaliation after the...
and Marine Raiders
Marine Raiders (film)
Marine Raiders is a 1944 RKO war film showing a fictional depiction of the 1st Marine Raider Battalion and 1st Marine Parachute Battalion on Guadalcanal, R&R in Australia, retraining in Camp Elliott and a fictional attack in the Solomon Islands. Produced by Robert Fellows, and directed by Harold D...
and also produced the John Wayne western
Western (genre)
The Western is a genre of various visual arts, such as film, television, radio, literature, painting and others. Westerns are devoted to telling stories set primarily in the latter half of the 19th century in the American Old West, hence the name. Some Westerns are set as early as the Battle of...
Tall in the Saddle
Tall in the Saddle
Tall in the Saddle is a 1944 western movie starring John Wayne as a cowboy and Ella Raines as his fierce bullwhip-brandishing love interest. The screenplay was co-written by actor Paul Fix and the film was directed by Edwin L...
for RKO. Fellows strongly believed that an account of the initial defeat and guerilla resistance of the American and Filipino forces as well as MacArthur's return would be a splendid tribute and a profitable film. Fellows contacted the Office of War Information and the American military who agreed as well as provided their assistance.
The film took 130 days to shoot based on the rapidly changing news of the time. Two thirds of the way through filming, the invasion of the Philippines
Battle of Leyte
The Battle of Leyte in the Pacific campaign of World War II was the invasion and conquest of the island of Leyte in the Philippines by American and Filipino guerrilla forces under the command of General Douglas MacArthur, who fought against the Imperial Japanese Army in the Philippines led by...
occurred causing several script changes and rewrites in order to keep up with current events. The Raid at Cabanatuan
Raid at Cabanatuan
The Raid at Cabanatuan was a rescue of Allied prisoners of war and civilians from a Japanese camp near Cabanatuan City, in the Philippines...
and release of prisoners was also rapidly incorporated into the screenplay with scenes of a recreation of the 6th Ranger Battalion
6th Ranger Battalion
The 6th Ranger Battalion was a United States Army Ranger Battalion which saw action in the Pacific during World War II. The battalion is best known for its role in the Raid at Cabanatuan in January 1945.-98th Field Artillery Battalion:...
attacking the prison camp placed on the beginning of the film with appearances of recently released prisoners added to the end of the film.
Ben Barzman
Ben Barzman
Ben Barzman was a Canadian journalist, screenwriter, and novelist. He was born in Toronto, Ontario, and died in Santa Monica, California, USA. He is best known as a writer or co-writer of more than 20 films, from You're a Lucky Fellow, Mr. Smith to The Head of Normande St...
's screenplay emphasised Filipino nationalism as much as American patriotism. A Filipino schoolteacher who reminds a Filpino schoolboy of Philippine nationalism is later ordered by the Japanese conquerors to take down the American flag in his schoolyard which he refuses to do. The Japanese hang him on the flagpole. Barzman's screenplay also can be taken as an instruction of how to set up a guerrilla warfare
Guerrilla warfare
Guerrilla warfare is a form of irregular warfare and refers to conflicts in which a small group of combatants including, but not limited to, armed civilians use military tactics, such as ambushes, sabotage, raids, the element of surprise, and extraordinary mobility to harass a larger and...
campaign.
Back to Bataan was Wayne's first encounter with Americans with open Communist sympathies and beliefs as during the filming Barzman and director Edward Dmyrtyk were outspoken on their communist views. When Wayne heard that Barzman and Dmytryk were openly belittling the religion of the film's technical advisor
Technical advisor
A technical advisor is an individual who is expert in a particular field of knowledge, hired to provide detailed information and advice to people working in that field...
Colonel George S. Clarke (who had commanded the 57th Infantry Regiment
57th Infantry Regiment (United States)
The 57th Infantry Regiment was a unit in the Philippine Scouts. During their combat in Bataan members received 1 Medal of Honor, 21 Distinguished Service Crosses and 68 Silver Stars.-History:...
of the Philippine Scouts
Philippine Scouts
The Philippine Scouts was a military organization of the United States Army from 1901 until the end of World War II. Made up of native Filipinos assigned to the United States Army Philippine Department, these troops were generally enlisted and under the command of American officers, however, a...
during the Battle of Bataan
Battle of Bataan
The Battle of Bataan represented the most intense phase of Imperial Japan's invasion of the Philippines during World War II. The capture of the Philippine Islands was crucial to Japan's effort to control the Southwest Pacific, seize the resource-rich Dutch East Indies, and protect its Southeast...
and was roughly Wayne's real life counterpart), and mocking him with renditions of the Internationale, he confronted Dmytryk, asking him if he was a Communist. Dmytryk replied that he wasn't but if "the masses of the American people wanted communism it would be good for our country. Though not admitting Dmyrtyk was a communist, Wayne felt that he was by his use of the word "masses". By contrast, Barzman's wife Norma recalled Wayne being friendly with her husband with Wayne hugging him and calling him a "goddammned communist" with Barzman jokingly replying that Wayne was a "fascist".
During the filming Dmytryk and Barzman found out that Wayne refused to use a stunt double and together collaborated in writing scenes for Wayne that they thought would have Wayne insist on a stunt double to do the painful scenes. In one scene Wayne was required to be lifted in the air by leather harness to simulate being blown by an explosion and in another scene Wayne and Anthony Quinn had to enter an icy pond to remain underwater for a lengthy time breathing through a reed. Wayne did the stunts but as he drank a bracing whiskey told Barzman "You better be goddamn sure we don't find out this is something you dreamed up out of your little head as a parting gift".
In her book The Star-entangled Banner, Sharon Delmendo views the film as Wayne being a surrogate for Douglas MacArthur. He has to face the wrath of his Filipino officers asking him where American help is, then later leaves the Philippines by submarine to return like MacArthur, in the invasion.
External links
- original trailer http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=X00s61zZ9Ek