This Movie Can Only Be Described With One Word.

Am I Missing Something?

This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

Yes, absolutely, there is fun to be had, as well as many, many things to go boom, all amid an atmospheric urban jungle.

Gabaldon was born and raised in Boyle Heights and attended Roosevelt High School with my brother-in-law Edwardo. He was not rejected by the Marines because of his ethnicity (Mexican-American) but because at 5'4" tall he did not meet Marine standards. It should be noted that the Marines were not adverse to recruiting in predominately Chicano communities. Guy was not "raised" by a Japanese family, but he did spend a couple of his teen year's with a Japanese family where he learned some basic Japanese. He was far from fluent in Japanese. However, the Marine Corps recruited him because they believed his knowledge of Japanese would be useful. The movie went to great lengths to hide Guy's true ethnicity. First, he was portrayed by Jeffrey Hunter, whose most notable role was playing 6'tall, blond blue eyed Jesus Christ. Guy described himself as "swarthy." In addition, there is a scene where the mamasan, in order to distinguish him from her Japanese grandchildren, refers to Guy as her "All American son." I once saw the movie on the History Channel. After the movie there was a panel discussion by historians. The final obligatory question was why the movie never mentioned that Guy was Mexican-American. The historian briefly answered that the movie was focused on the treatment of Japanese Americans during WW II and that Guy's ethnicity would have distracted from that. REALLY! Seems to me it would have made the story even more interesting. Typical Hollywood. Part of selling a movie means you have to make a white guy the central character and hero. More Hollywood is the David Jansen part and the party in Hawaii.

Outstanding war film. Based on a true story from WW II, of Guy Gabaldon, who single-handedly brought in more than 1,500 Japanese prisoners and civilians in the Battle of Saipan in 1944. Jeffrey Hunter and the entire cast are excellent. The movie is excellent also because of the portrayal of emotional conflict of Gabaldon. He was raised by Japanese Americans as an orphan, then had to fight and kill Japanese who killed his Army buddies. The film is a rare one in also showing the concern and care by the American combatants for the innocent Japanese civilians. And, it portrays well the conflicted psyche of the grunt Japanese soldiers and civilians who had been told by their leaders that the Americans were cruel barbarians, and that the Japanese must fight to the death or kill themselves and their children rather than surrender.Wikipedia has an interesting piece on Guy Gabaldon. It's always good to read some biographical info about a real person from the movies. It sounds as though he may have been a little more street tough than portrayed by Jeffrey Hunter. And, that he was a little more threatening of the Japanese soldiers holed up in caves. But, Hunter gives a great portrayal of the hero. Gabaldon must have liked the job Hunter did since he named one of his sons, Jeffrey Hunter Gabaldon. The only distraction in this great film is the night out the three main characters have with women before they go into combat. The heavy drinking and implied lovemaking probably represented what some GIs, Marines and Sailors did before going to war, but it surely didn't represent most. Few in the Army had such a chance -- once you were in battle you were there for the duration. Some units may have been moved back into reserves in Europe or the Pacific, but there sure weren't bars and girls for all-night parties there. So, this piece adds nothing to the film whatsoever. But, the main film and story, with excellent acting and action overrides any detraction to the film by this usual Hollywood gratuitousness.

I remember seeing this movie many times in the 60's and 70's at the theater, on television, and on VHS. I grew up watching WWII movies and remember this as one that had a special appeal to me. I guess because I lived in Japan in the 1950's and visited some of the locales from the movie. The acting was well done and the story was well told and realistic. It is interesting to view the cast when they were relatively new to movies. David Janssen and Vic Damone stand out in my memory and Jeffrey Hunter was always a class act in films. I highly recommend seeing it if possible. I do find it hard to believe that it is called a "lost classic" and runs so high for a copy. Anyone know where I could get a cheaper copy, I would like to hear from you.

I have been trying to buy this movie but the prices are out of reach. I was on Okinawa in 1960 when this movie was filmed. Our battalion was the first to occupy the brand new barracks at Camp Schwabb. A lot of us marines were chosen to be in the Japanese army because of our looks or physical stature. yes I played the part of a Japanese soldier and during the bonsai attack I was killed. I must say I died very dramatically. I had the pleasure of meeting Jeffery Hunter, David Janssen, and Vic Damone. I think the movie was pretty good even though some important parts were omitted. I have read several articles on the life of Guy Gabaldon and he looked nothing like Jeffery Hunter. Have a nice day.