Surprisingly good
Added 11/8/2009
I enjoyed this movie. I am not sure what I expected, since I have never had a terribly high opinion of a lot of the 1950's Hollywood war movies. I thought that most of them sentimentalized war too much, though I think "The Longest Day" was a pretty good effort. This movie was surprisingly good. Some of the scenes were very cheesy, but I liked the little touches of humor - for example, the soldier who wanted to be an architect always commented upon the local architecture even while bullets were whizzing around him. I also am impressed that the producers got real-life veterans of the 442nd to play roles in this movie, and most of them did a tolerably good acting job. What really made this movie for me, however, was the fact that it recognized the rescue of the Lost Battalion , and the tremendous sacrifice made by the 442nd in liberating those men. It was one of the most important battles of the European war, and yet not much mention has been made of it. Even to this day, I do not think that most people recognize the courage and sacrifice of the Nisei during that time, or can even fathom the need for so many of them to sacrifice themselves or their sons to prove their loyalty to a country that imprisoned them, took away their property and rights, and viewed them as second class citizens. Watch the movie to get a lighter view of it, then go read about the real life facts.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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A True Story About a Tough Time in American History
Added 2/13/2009
Lt. Grayson (Van Johnson) is assigned to a new platoon, away from his friends from Texas. His new outfit is much different from the old; it consists of Japanese-Americans from all over the country. This throws a wrench into the situation because Grayson has a racist streak and he holds no bars on disciplining his men. Trial after trial they improve their standing until they have formed a combat-ready troupe. Off they go to travel the world, complete with travel brochures about the eating delicacies they will encounter. The story unfolds in a typical way with a good balance of humor and action. It is an admirable follow-up on the success of another Johnson film Battleground.
The Japanese characters are rather interesting to watch. It was rare for them to receive starring roles in mainstream American films, so this is a nice treat. As one might expect of such a film, each plays a type. There is the tough guy (George Miki), the underappreciated runt (Henry Nakamura), and the leader (Henry Oyasato). Each of them becomes lovable in his own way, and it is sort of sad knowing that none of them got a chance to star again. Unlike the contract players of MGM of the day, they faded from the spotlight into relative obscurity.
When I received this DVD in the mail, I was a bit worried about the quality since it appeared to be from a second-rate company. My worries were unfounded; this print is in pristine condition. The DVD also includes the original theatrical trailer.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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The Most Decorated Unit
Added 6/28/2008
The 442nd Combat team was one of the most decorated units in WW II. This film tells their story to those who never heard of them. Other Americans of Japanese ancestry served as translators in the Pacific theater. It was an all-volunteer outfit whose members were investigated. The talk tells about the families who were forcibly relocated, and the background of the soldiers. The new lieutenant enforces the rules and starts training. [It seems more sedate than "Gung Ho".] Do they have regulation haircuts? "Go for broke" is pidgin English for "shoot the works".
In May 1944 the Combat team is shipped out to Europe. They land in Naples Italy and continue to the front. Lt. Grayson extends his break too long. Soon they come under fire, and neutralize the enemy. "Squad leaders up front!" They capture the enemy. Next they are sent to France and join another unit. Lt. Grayson negotiates with his old sergeant. Then they see action. One unit is surrounded; can they be rescued? You know there will be a happy ending for this war film. The rescued soldiers are given cigarettes. Their unit is given their deserved award at the end of the war.
This film has a relaxed tone compared to earlier films.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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Sincere and thoroughly merited tribute
Added 1/10/2008
The contribution of minority ethnic fighting units to victory in World War 2 has long been a neglected aspect of the war movie -and to a lesser extent ,historical scholarship also.In my native UK the role of ,say ,Indian and Caribbean regiments has only recently received due attention from historians and has been wholly ignored by film makers .
Go For Broke is in many respects an utterly conventional war picture of its era.It deals with the training of a group of volunteers -their basic fitness,instruction in armaments and military culture .The usual parade ground and training camp cliches are all present and correct .The battle scenes -set in Italy and France -see the progress of the unit from raw recruits to battle hardened and decorated soldiers .Some survive and others die .So far so routine .
However what sets the movie apart is that it looks at a Nisei (Japanese -American )regiment the 442 Combat Team -the most decorated fighting troops in the US army in the whole war .It deals with the resistance and scepticism they faced -including initially their own commander (Van Johnson)-and sets out the background very clearly .Many of their families are in internment camps and still face open hostility on the home front .In a very real sense they are fighting for their families as much as for their comrades in arms -fighting to secure a stake in their post war nation .
In execution this is fairly routine .In conception it is worthwhile and brave and redresses a neglect of these loyal and courageous men who made a major contribution to victory
The movie is well worth seeing as a piece of history and a reasonably exciting war movie with some decent battle scenes
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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A fine prequel to another film
Added 3/2/2007
A BAD DAY AT BLACK ROCK made me curious about the Hollywood take of the Japanese-American GI experience of World War II. That curiosity led directly to this film which was also produced by Dore Schary. It's a remarkably satisfying prequel to the later film that I reccommend highly for its rich characterization, and the fine demonstration of ensemble-storytelling presented by writer/director Robert Pirosh. Despite the absence of special features, this one absolutely rocks! I was deeply moved by the most unobtrusive, naturalistic, gentle propaganda I've ever had the priviledge and pleasure to watch.
0 out of 3 people found this helpful.
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Surprisingly good
Added 11/8/2009
I enjoyed this movie. I am not sure what I expected, since I have never had a terribly high opinion of a lot of the 1950's Hollywood war movies. I thought that most of them sentimentalized war too much, though I think "The Longest Day" was a pretty good effort. This movie was surprisingly good. Some of the scenes were very cheesy, but I liked the little touches of humor - for example, the soldier who wanted to be an architect always commented upon the local architecture even while bullets were whizzing around him. I also am impressed that the producers got real-life veterans of the 442nd to play roles in this movie, and most of them did a tolerably good acting job. What really made this movie for me, however, was the fact that it recognized the rescue of the Lost Battalion , and the tremendous sacrifice made by the 442nd in liberating those men. It was one of the most important battles of the European war, and yet not much mention has been made of it. Even to this day, I do not think that most people recognize the courage and sacrifice of the Nisei during that time, or can even fathom the need for so many of them to sacrifice themselves or their sons to prove their loyalty to a country that imprisoned them, took away their property and rights, and viewed them as second class citizens. Watch the movie to get a lighter view of it, then go read about the real life facts.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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A True Story About a Tough Time in American History
Added 2/13/2009
Lt. Grayson (Van Johnson) is assigned to a new platoon, away from his friends from Texas. His new outfit is much different from the old; it consists of Japanese-Americans from all over the country. This throws a wrench into the situation because Grayson has a racist streak and he holds no bars on disciplining his men. Trial after trial they improve their standing until they have formed a combat-ready troupe. Off they go to travel the world, complete with travel brochures about the eating delicacies they will encounter. The story unfolds in a typical way with a good balance of humor and action. It is an admirable follow-up on the success of another Johnson film Battleground.
The Japanese characters are rather interesting to watch. It was rare for them to receive starring roles in mainstream American films, so this is a nice treat. As one might expect of such a film, each plays a type. There is the tough guy (George Miki), the underappreciated runt (Henry Nakamura), and the leader (Henry Oyasato). Each of them becomes lovable in his own way, and it is sort of sad knowing that none of them got a chance to star again. Unlike the contract players of MGM of the day, they faded from the spotlight into relative obscurity.
When I received this DVD in the mail, I was a bit worried about the quality since it appeared to be from a second-rate company. My worries were unfounded; this print is in pristine condition. The DVD also includes the original theatrical trailer.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
|
The Most Decorated Unit
Added 6/28/2008
The 442nd Combat team was one of the most decorated units in WW II. This film tells their story to those who never heard of them. Other Americans of Japanese ancestry served as translators in the Pacific theater. It was an all-volunteer outfit whose members were investigated. The talk tells about the families who were forcibly relocated, and the background of the soldiers. The new lieutenant enforces the rules and starts training. [It seems more sedate than "Gung Ho".] Do they have regulation haircuts? "Go for broke" is pidgin English for "shoot the works".
In May 1944 the Combat team is shipped out to Europe. They land in Naples Italy and continue to the front. Lt. Grayson extends his break too long. Soon they come under fire, and neutralize the enemy. "Squad leaders up front!" They capture the enemy. Next they are sent to France and join another unit. Lt. Grayson negotiates with his old sergeant. Then they see action. One unit is surrounded; can they be rescued? You know there will be a happy ending for this war film. The rescued soldiers are given cigarettes. Their unit is given their deserved award at the end of the war.
This film has a relaxed tone compared to earlier films.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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