What a great story - I'm glad someone has finally told it

Rating: 7/10 (8 September 2008)

I had never heard an account of the rescue of the American POW's at Cabanatuan. WWII was over 20 years before I was born, so obviously I wouldn't have heard first hand accounts. But I would have thought in history lessons, or TV documentaries, somewhere I would have heard of this tale of extreme bravery and heroism. It is stories like these that make me proud to be an American and make me indebted to our men and women in the military.
I don't remember hearing about this movie when it was released in the theaters, so it must not have gotten great press. I just happened to have caught it playing on AMC today, and I am glad I did. It really is a compelling story, although I know some license was taken with the romantic angle between the major and Margaret.
The action was pretty intense and I have to say the shooting scenes were extremely realistic and graphic. It showed just how brutal the Japanese were in killing.
The cast did a good job. Connie Nielsen was quite gripping in her depiction of Margaret. I did think Bratt looked a little young to be playing a Lt. Colonel. I liked the soft, muted colors of the cinematography as it gave the film a dated, historical look.