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Poster for Back to Bataan (1945)

Film · Philippines occupation and liberation

Back to Bataan

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

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