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Benjamin Bratt, James Franco, Clayne Crawford, Marton Csokas, Joseph Fiennes ... see more see more... , Connie Nielsen , Motoki Kobayashi , Robert Mammone , Natalie Jackson Mendoza , Cesar Montano , Max Martini , Kenny Doughty , Sam Worthington , Craig McLachlan , James Carpinello , Mark Consuelos , Clayne Clawford , Freddie Joe Farnsworth , Jeremy Callaghan , Laird Macintosh

John Dahl directed this war drama based on the true story of one of the most daring military actions of World War II. In the waning days of World War II, General Douglas MacArthur chose to make good o... read more read more...n a pledge that he made in 1942 -- that he would return to the Philippines after he and his troops were forced to retreat. However, MacArthur's determination was more than a matter of pride. Over 500 American soldiers were being held in Cabanatuan, a notoriously brutal prisoner of war camp in the Philippines operated by the Japanese army, and MacArthur wanted to see to it that they made it home. MacArthur chose Lt. Col. Henry Mucci (Benjamin Bratt) to lead the Sixth Ranger Battalion on a mission 30 miles behind enemy lines to infiltrate Cabanatuan and liberate the American prisoners. With the help of Capt. Prince (James Franco), Mucci leads his men on a life-or-death raid against forces known for their savagery. The Great Raid was based on William B. Breuer's book The Great Raid on Cabanatuan: Rescuing the Doomed Ghosts of Bataan and Corregidor, and also stars Joseph Fiennes, Connie Nielsen, and Marton Csokas. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Flixster Users

71% liked it

15,828 ratings

Critics

36% liked it

119 critics

R, 2 hr. 12 min.

Directed by: John Dahl

Release Date: August 12, 2005

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DVD Release Date: December 20, 2005

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Stats: 892 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (892)

  • itsjustme2004
    October 29, 2010
    itsjustme2004
    Now don't get me wrong this is not Private Ryan,Schindlers list, or Bridge on the River Kwai. What the movie is is a good, true story about a small raid in the Pacific campaign. The mission is to help free 500 POW's from the Japanese before the Japanese try to kill the prisoners.... read more It's well done, and well acted. I enjoyed it.
  • LorenzoVonMatterhorn
    July 17, 2008
    LorenzoVonMatterhorn
    Although this movie has received criticism for its stereotypical and possibly xenophobic depiction of the Japanese treatment of allied POW's in the second world war, it is in fact a very accurate, fact-based retelling of the events surrounding one of the greatest morale building ... read moreevents for a battle weary America in the second world war. Filmed in the classic style of the WWII movies of the fifties, it is fast paced and does reflect the unfortunate attitude of the Japanese to the prisoners of war, which they held in contempt for the shame of allowing themselves to be captured.

    War is hell, but this fact should not detract from the history portrayed, which is accurate. The allies were ultimately the winners in the most destructive war in human history, but individual stories of heroism and courage continue to ring true to one's spirit. especially in our difficult times.

    Fine individual performances do justice to the real people who made in through this hellacious experience.

    4/5
  • allan913
    February 10, 2008
    allan913
    A stunning and triumphant action-packed adeventure. Powefrul and herioc. A truly effective story. One of the finest war films since Saving private Ryan. It's The Great Escape meets The Thin Red Line. Roushing, thrilling and exhilerating. The cast is remarkable. Benjiamin Bratt an... read mored James Franco are simply great. Joseph Fiennes is remarkable
  • irisheyes686
    September 19, 2011
    irisheyes686
    Pretty good, but a little long. Decent cast. Not the best war movie I've ever seen, but it told a good story.
  • PinkMinkPrincess
    June 9, 2011
    PinkMinkPrincess
    Saw this over Memorial Day weekend, it was one of the GREAT WAR Movies Ever.I saved it on Tivo, I want everyone in this house to know about the biggest rescue mission in American History & the Great Lengths they had to go through to make that happen
  • alienmindtrick
    January 10, 2010
    alienmindtrick
    Having spent a quarter of my life in the Army, I'm pretty hard on movies depicting the military, especially ones that feature my Rangers. I can recommend this movie to anyone and be glad that I did. Benjamin Bratt's LTC Mucci; Joseph Fiennes' MAJ Gibson; and James Franco's CPT ... read morePrince were all military-grade performances, as were many others. I'll watch 'The Great Raid' again, anyday.
  • sykora259517
    December 25, 2009
    sykora259517
    ok Sam Worthington has a bit part in this. He plays PFC Lucas but he?s behind the guy in line that says he?s Lucas. (the one that?s handed the Uzi, is in front of Sam) The one that says he?s PFC Lucas however played a part I Roswell was also in Smallville & a few other popular sh... read moreows his name?s Clayne Crawford (Leverage in 2009, Cold Case CSI will be in 24 in 2010 also was in Swimfan) I?m not one for war movies they pretty much bore me weather true or just made as a blockbuster action flick. To me this one dragged interesting maybe its about how 500 POWs are in camp & to go about rescuing them. I?m still only giving it a C
  • Nayton
    December 11, 2009
    Nayton
    The Great Raid had some major plotholes and was very inexquisite as a war drama but based on facts of the true story, i suppose it made a personal war story of the courage of the greatest of military history. C: So-So.
  • jscottcorley
    September 13, 2009
    jscottcorley
    The raid itself is really exhilarating. There are some wasted plotlines that make the movie longer than it should be.
  • yomisso
    December 28, 2008
    yomisso
    this was really good - i think it didn't do so well was because not many of our men died, and they added some random love story that didn't happen (just like titanic and pearl harbor).

View All The Great Raid Reviews

Critic Reviews

Stephen Hunter
August 12, 2005
Stephen Hunter, Washington Post

While one might have wished for a better movie, and a few smarter decisions regarding the screenplay, generally it's a riveting, even inspirational account of an American feat of arms about which few ... Full Review

Geoff Pevere
August 12, 2005
Geoff Pevere, Toronto Star

Feels less like a rousing action adventure than a military-sponsored lesson in invincible patriotic payback. Full Review

Joel Selvin
August 12, 2005
Joel Selvin, San Francisco Chronicle

The story line is telegraphed from word one and the meticulous unfolding plot plods ahead inexorably without the slightest bit of suspense. Full Review

Steven Rea
August 12, 2005
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer

This smart, unhurried drama plays out like a retro version of Saving Private Ryan.

Roger Moore
August 12, 2005
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel

A great story filled with real heroics deserves better than this. Full Review

Stephen Whitty
August 12, 2005
Stephen Whitty, Newark Star-Ledger

Dahl gets it half-right, and completely wrong. In studio fashion, he adds a composite character and a love story, which the story really doesn't require. In indie tradition, he refuses to cast any sta... Full Review

Kyle Smith
August 12, 2005
Kyle Smith, New York Post

I hereby award the World War II drama The Great Raid a Cement Star for faithful and distinguished service to the cause of mediocrity.

Jack Mathews
August 12, 2005
Jack Mathews, New York Daily News

Not a great movie, but it certainly does justice to the great historical event it dramatizes. Full Review

Rick Groen
August 12, 2005
Rick Groen, Globe and Mail

The picture's broad outline may be fact, but everything inside gets painted in a deep shade of bogus. Full Review

Tom Long
August 12, 2005
Tom Long, Detroit News

It never gives its characters enough character to build the sentiment required.

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