A refreshing change from this lame summer of movies

Rating: 10/10 (12 September 2005)

This is an excellent movie showing the daring rescue of POWs from the brutality of the Japanese POW camp of Cabanatuan.
I have not read the book, Ghost Soldiers, so I cannot tell whether it is an accurate representation of the book. But I know what I like, and this is a great movie. The actual footage at beginning and end greatly enhance the emotion and realism. The story of the bravery of the soldiers and the resistance, and the spectacular battle scenes make this movie a gem in a sea of summer flops.
The characters, particularly the Japanese commander, were well-cast. You really feel for the prisoners and the brave Americans and Phillipinos.
The role of the Phillipinos was not underdone, and it was good they accurately showed how not only Americans suffered because of Axis cruelty. The battle scenes were well-done and intense.
Overall, the movie was THE best movie of the year.