American Experience - Bataan Rescue

Starring:Marion Ross
Director: Rocky Collins, Matthew Collins (III), Ben Loeterman, Mark Zwonitzer, Stephen Ives
Studio: Pbs (Direct)
Product Type: DVD

Description

In late 1941, tens of thousands of American and Filipino soldiers fought a desperate battle to defend the Bataan peninsula in the Philippines from the Japanese. When they lost, they were marched to prison camps in sweltering heat through mosquito-infested jungles with little or no food or water. Three years later, with the war in the Pacific coming to an end, only 500 men in the Cabanatuan camp had survived. Fearing the Japanese would murder their captives before the U.S. Army could liberate the camp, the Americans sent an elite Ranger battalion to rescue the prisoners. The rangers sneaked 30 miles behind enemy lines and with the help of courageous Filipino resistance fighters, they mounted an astonishing rescue that was fraught with danger, yet ultimately triumphant.

Customer Reviews:

A Progam That Brings "Ghost Soldiers" to Life.......2005-06-28

This American Experience episode puts faces to all the heroes involved in the liberation of the Cabanatuan POW Camp. It is based on Hampton Sides' excellent account, "Ghost Soldiers", and includes an extensive interview with Sides, along with a number of Rangers and POWS who were featured in the book. There are many newsreels, captured Japanese POW camp footage, and a compelling re-enactment of the rescue provided. Some of the actual footage shot by Signal Corps staff who accompanied the Ranger and Scout units on their mission is also included. Two making-of featurettes that last about 10 minutes each, a timeline, and information/links on the extensive web pages for this PBS program are the extent of the special features, but enjoyable nonetheless.

This program is only 60 minutes long and provides just a basic outline of the entire POW rescue story. For example, very little in the program is devoted to the heroic actions of numerous Filipino guerrillas and civilians involved in this rescue, although their contributions were incredibly significant. For those intrigued and inspired by what they see in this program, you are encouraged to read the book "Ghost Soldiers", which provides far more detail and a much better depiction of this dramatic event. Until Ghost Soldiers-the motion picture is released, this is an excellent companion DVD to the actual book. "Saving Private Ryan" cannot hold a candle to this true story.

Emotional and inspiring.......2005-03-16

My father was one of the men rescued by the rangers from the prison camp. He passed away 14 years ago without revealing to us all that he endured during his imprisonment and the Death March. Reading Ghost Soldiers enlightened me and caused me to search for all I could find on Bataan and his experiences. It was by chance (or divine intervention) that I came across Bataan Rescue when it showed on PBS. I grabbed a tape, popped it in and sat down to watch. It was an amazing and emotional experience for me to see actual footage from the rescue. The next evening I replayed it for my husband to watch. As we were watching he remarked that he kept looking for my father in the footage. I replied that I too was hoping for a glimpse. In the next few moments I thought I saw him! Was it just wishful thinking? We played it over and over and then in slow motion and sure enough it was just a few moments of footage of my father walking with other men after being rescued. It truly was like seeing a ghost. I am so thankful that this documentary was made. This has been a forgotten chapter of WWII. The rangers who rescued all the prisoners are true heroes in my eyes. My father who endured all the suffering for years and then came home and endured the many years of memories is my biggest hero. I wish I had asked him more about his experiences when he was alive but am grateful to have this DVD and other materials to help memorialize his sacrfice forever.

Rangers To The Rescue!.......2004-05-31

Not to sound overly patriotic, but this story is what American heroism is all about! This video shows the interviews with the US veterans who survived the horrific Bataan Death March only to find themselves in the hell of Japanese Prison Camps. I watched with heartfelt emotion as these brave men told their story. The plan to rescue them was carried out by extremely brave US Army Rangers and their allies in the Phillipines. This story is definitely worth listening to! You will not be dissappointed.

Great (true) story!.......2004-02-06

Fantastic! The story of the ALL the men, the prisoners, rescuers, and locals who aided them, is so moving. I read the book this was based on and went from shock and horror to tears over their bravery. By accident I saw this on TV and found it to be just as good. It was also nice to put faces to the names I had read about. Amazing stories of courage. An outstanding story many have never heard about. Well worth it!

Newspaper reviews.......2003-07-27

TV Guide "Top Picks": "Hollywood couldn't have fashioned a bolder or more heroic World War II story."

The Boston Globe: "Outstanding...the tale is extraordinary, and producer and writer David Axelrod does it justice."

Orlando Sentinel: "A riveting American Experience...first-rate...concise, straightforward and stirring-the perfect way to follow the Fourth of July weekend."

The Oregonian: "a finely balanced account."

The Globe and Mail (Toronto): "A solid hour of riveting and emotional stories, a far cry from the other `reality' programs on other channels tonight."

Description

Contrast rules of war--and the treatment of POWs-during World War II and today. With chilling testimony from both captive and liberator, BATAAN: DEATH MARCH AND RESCUE depicts the 1941 capture of thousands of Allied soldiers on the Bataan peninsula. Only 500 prisoners in the Cabanatuan camp were rescued. Their valiant struggle to survive a sweltering jungle, disease, deprivation, and brutality is remembered in this stirring documentary.

Customer Reviews:

Good piece of little known history.......2005-07-06

This is a good documentary on an amazing rescue at the end of WWII. Not much is known of this event other than the initial "death march". It is quite astounding to learn that the Japanese had over 17,000 U.S. prisoners in the PI. Also, the atrocities are terrible. The commentary from the survivors, as well as the rescuers makes this a very good program with a personal feel. I would have liked to have seen more on scene footage and original reel footage, instead of re-enactment. All in all, 4 stars and a keeper for any WWII/military history buff. It's always great to learn the little-known facts of any event.

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