From the producer's point of view

Rating: 4/10 (1 September 2005)

HISTORY is written from the point of view of the victors. The same goes for historical movies.
When an Australian company filmed the Indonesian struggle in "Year of Living Dangerously," it was seen from the point of view of Mel Gibson's character. In like manner, when "A Dangerous Martial Law years, was shot in Manila, the script centered on the American reporter in Manila during that historic occasion.
Filipinos are flocking to see "The Great Raid" because it took place in the Philippines and co-stars our own Cesar Montano. But, the events in the movie are seen from the point of view of the victorious G.I.s.
The film does little to underscore the Filipinos' contribution, except to say that only two Americans perished while 37 Filipino guerillas died in the great escape.
The heroics are left to Benjamine Bratt and James Franco. Connie Nielson portrays a selfless nurse in love with suffering POW Joseph Fiennes. she undergoes Kempetai torture for her war efforts, while Filipinos merely act as her conduits.
Except for Montano and few Underground nationalists who are killed, the Filipinos seem rather helpless until General MacArthurs' delayed return.
The Japanese are naturally depicted as a mean and cruel lot. But the movie does not clarify the samurai position vis-a-vis war prisoners, although a line of dialogue states that a prisoner of war is no better than a dig and, therefore, does not deserve humane treatment.
If this were amplified more clearly, we would have felt greater emotional and cultural conflict in the film. However, the sepia documentary footage is a gem of local history well worth the film experience.
The film's conflict is finally resolve with a rather predictable shoot-out, with the Japanese bad guys getting their comeuppance amid noise and fury, signifying little. Will the film gain global admiration for the brave Filipino warriors who fought side by side with G.I. Joe? I hope so-but I doubt it