An adaptation of real ww2 mission that seemed to fall through the cracks. Thanks to those who took the time to produce this superior "war" film.

Rating: 8/10 (7 March 2006)

If ever a film, especially a film about war, deserved the designation "sleeper", this work should head the list. Over the years I can recall but 7 or 8 war films that I would classify as superior. "Saving Private Ryan", "The Bridge On The River Kwai", "Paths Of Glory", "Das Boot", "The Cruel Sea", "Four Feathers" (1939 version) "In Which We Serve", "Tora Tora Tora" and "The Red Badge Of Courage" with honorable mention to "Gung Ho", "The Enemy Below"( without its ridiculous ending) and "The Battle Of Britain" (if for nothing else than its exquisite aerial sequences). The wonderful picture "Patton" I do not classify as a war film as much as the definitive film biography. And then along comes "The Great Raid". A tight, believable, no nonsense story about a little known operation of WW2, and one that should make all Americans proud. Excluded are ,thanks be, to all the mind numbing clichÃ©s',which over the years screenwriters felt duty bound to have our ethnically correct collection of (mostly lovable) G.I.'s, mouth on screen. The palaver to which I refer has ruined many potentially decent films about war and its stern reality. However this neat little film sidesteps the chronic pitfalls of the genre and is meticulous in portraying most of its combat sequences regarding weapons, battle dress, tactics and combat-speak. (take note of the 30 caliber, bolt action, Springfield Rifle Col. Mucci uses at the river instead of the semi-automatic M-1 Garand issued at that point in the war).And when I saw that Captain Dale Dye (USMC Ret.)was military adviser on the set as well as acting in a small part, I knew that all would be in order. The cast is excellent,especially Ben Bratt as Col. Mucci. So if your in the mood for a well above average action flick with a tension filled ending, where you will be cheering for the good guys, "The Great Raid" will not disappoint. (The use of real wartime newsreel footage at beginning and end provides an excellent touch.) NOTE: Because of some brief disturbing violent scenes of executions,I would not recommend this film for children up to age 16. ADDENDUM: The 6th Ranger Battalion was the only Ranger outfit to serve in the Pacific theater. It may be argued that it was the toughest, best trained unit in the U.S. Military. Col. Mucci, a West Point graduate,proficient in boxing,judo,hand to hand combat, use of the bayonet as well as night fighting and small unit tactics, trained his men personally through 1944 in the steaming mountainous jungle terrain of New Guinea. Only the best made it through and they followed one of the most charismatic leaders in the U.S. Army into battle. It is too bad that some of this part of the story did not find its way into the film to let the audience know of the uniqueness of the men being portrayed.