
Film · Philippines occupation and liberation
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The production
Released 1945
United States · Film
The history
1942–1945
An American officer organizes Filipino guerrillas during the Japanese occupation · 1942–1945
- 🎬 Director
- Edward Dmytryk
- ⚔️ Campaign
- Philippines guerrilla resistance
- 📍 Theater
- Pacific
- 🎭 Genre
- Combat, Resistance
- 🌍 Country
- United States
- 🕐 Runtime
- 95 minutes
- 🎞️ Perspective
- Allied
- 📺 Production type
- Film
- 🗺️ Battle
- Information unavailable
Synopsis
An American colonel remains behind in the Philippines after its fall to organize and lead Filipino guerrilla resistance against the Japanese occupation. The film builds toward the guerrillas' support of the American liberation forces returning under MacArthur.
Historical Context
Filipino guerrilla resistance fighters, often coordinating with American officers left behind, waged an extensive irregular campaign against Japanese occupation forces from 1942 until General MacArthur's return in 1944–1945.
Historical Accuracy
The film blends real guerrilla resistance history with fictionalized characters and combines several historical figures and events into its narrative.
Cast & Crew
Directed by Edward Dmytryk
Cast: John Wayne, Anthony Quinn, Beulah Bondi, Fely Franquelli
Where It Fits in WWII
Positioned at 1942–1945 within the Philippines occupation and liberation phase of the war, as part of the Philippines guerrilla resistance. This is entry 63 of 150 in the chronological archive.
- Philippines
- guerrilla resistance
- occupation
- John Wayne
- MacArthur return





