IMDb RATING
6.6/10
4.4K
YOUR RATING
In 1942, after the fall of the Philippines to the Japanese, U.S. Army Col. Joseph Madden stays behind to organize the local resistance against the Japanese invaders.In 1942, after the fall of the Philippines to the Japanese, U.S. Army Col. Joseph Madden stays behind to organize the local resistance against the Japanese invaders.In 1942, after the fall of the Philippines to the Japanese, U.S. Army Col. Joseph Madden stays behind to organize the local resistance against the Japanese invaders.
Alex Havier
- Sgt. Bernessa
- (as J. Alex Havier)
Earl G. Baumgardner
- Self
- (as Earl G. Baumgardner - Lt.)
Eugene C. Commander
- Self
- (as MT/Sgt. Eugene C. Commander)
Virgil H. Greenaway
- Self
- (as Pvt. Virgil H. Greenaway)
Max M. Greenberg
- Self
- (as Cpl. Max M. Greenberg)
George W. Greene
- Self
- (as George W. Greene - Lt.)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaJohn Wayne later said he regretted starring in this film as the director was a Communist.
- GoofsAn M4 Sherman tank, standing in as a Japanese tank, approaches a bridge and is blown up. When the smoke clears, the wreckage is now that of an M3 Stuart.
- Quotes
Maj. Hasko: I send out 100 men, they find nothing. I send out ten men, they don't come back.
- Crazy creditsOpening credits: This story was not invented. The events you are about to see are based on actual incidents. The characters are based on real people. JANUARY 30, 1945 THE JAPANESE PRISON CAMP AT CABANATUAN
- Alternate versionsAlso available in a computer colorized version.
- ConnectionsFeatured in The John Wayne Anthology (1991)
Featured review
An exceptional WWII action film
While this film is a tad heavy from time to time with propaganda elements, in many ways this war film stands well above the usual crowd of jingoistic American war films. Now I am NOT being critical saying the films are "jingoistic", as this was positive propaganda that slightly exaggerated the truth in order to unify the country against the Japanese. After all, we were at war and Japan had conquered most of the Pacific. But films made during the war often sacrificed reality in order to deliver the message--such as in AIR FORCE when a B-17 bomber almost single-handedly wipes out half the Japanese planes!! Fortunately, beneath the occasionally heavy-handed patriotism, the film itself was a very good representation of the war in the Philippines. This, combined with excellent action scenes and better than average acting make this a film worth seeing. In particular, other than IN HARMS WAY, this is John Wayne's best WWII film, as his acting is a little less "bigger than life" and more realistic. Also, if you liked this film, I also strongly recommend BATAAN (starring a surprisingly macho Robert Taylor). This film focuses on the fall of Bataan and BACK TO BATAAN is a great companion piece as it focuses not only on this but its reconquest. Top notch entertainment and a decent history lesson to boot!
helpful•223
- planktonrules
- May 23, 2007
- How long is Back to Bataan?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- The Invisible Army
- Filming locations
- Philippines(Stock Footage)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $2,490,000
- Runtime1 hour 35 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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