Hell in the Pacific

Steven Spielberg’s “Saving Private Ryan” graphically examined the horrors U.S. soldiers faced fighting World War II in Europe. Terrence Malick’s “The Thin Red Line,” based on James Jones’ novel, vividly depicts the brutalities our men endured in the Pacific theater.

Movies made about World War II in the Pacific--starting with 1942’s “Wake Island”--have been vastly different in tone and style than ones made about fighting the Nazis. And for good reason--it was a different world. Not only were the soldiers fighting the Japanese, they had to combat disease, bugs, heat and starvation.

The war was even more personal because the Japanese had attacked Pearl Harbor without warning. The 1940s films set in the Pacific were dosed with propaganda meant to boost American morale. They must be viewed with their historical context in mind. Still, seen today, many of these war films--all available on video--are politically incorrect, and some downright racist.

Bataan: Robert Taylor heads the cast of this sturdy 1943 combat drama focusing on a small platoon of Yanks in the Philippines and their attempt to blow up an important Japanese bridge. The always wonderful Robert Walker, Thomas Mitchell and Desi Arnaz co-star.

Bombardier: Creaky but compelling 1943 adventure about a squad of cadets who learn about the horrors of war when they fly bombing raids over Japan. Pat O’Brien and Randolph Scott star.

The Bridge on the River Kwai: David Lean directed this superb, Oscar-winning 1957 drama based on the novel by Pierre Boulle. It’s a riveting story about the battle of wills that develops between a brutal Japanese POW commander (the marvelous Sessue Hayakawa) and a by-the-book British commander (Alec Guinness, in his Academy Award-winning role) over the building of a rail bridge. William Holden stars as an American officer who escapes from the camp, only to be ordered back to destroy the bridge.

Destination Tokyo: Despite his British accent, Cary Grant plays an American submarine commander in this 1943 action film about the sub’s seek-and-destroy mission into Tokyo Harbor. John Garfield and Dane Clark also star.

Empire of the Sun: Steven Spielberg’s underrated 1987 epic based on J.G. Ballard’s novel about a rich young boy (Christian Bale) living in Shanghai who is separated from his parents and sent to a POW camp after Japan invades China. John Malkovich also stars. Worth a look.

Flying Leathernecks: Nicholas Ray directed this gritty 1951 action movie starring John Wayne as a tough squadron leader who clashes with officer Robert Ryan on Guadalcanal. Terrific aerial footage and fine performances.

From Here to Eternity: Based on James Jones’ novel, this 1953 Oscar winner is set in Hawaii just before the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor. The re-creation of the bombing raid on Dec. 7 is still terrifying. Burt Lancaster, Deborah Kerr, Montgomery Clift, Frank Sinatra and Donna Reed star for director Fred Zinnemann.

Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison: John Huston directed this 1957 drama--a two-character study about a tough but tender Marine sergeant (Robert Mitchum) who is stranded with an Irish nun (Deborah Kerr) on a Pacific island occupied by Japanese soldiers.

In Harm’s Way: “Subtle” is not the apt word to describe director Otto Preminger’s 165-minute World War II opus about two Navy officers (John Wayne and Kirk Douglas) and how they deal with the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Great action sequences, but a disappointment.

Mister Roberts: Henry Fonda repeats his Broadway triumph in this 1955 comedy-drama as an officer on a Pacific cargo ship who wants to be transferred to a battleship. A brilliant mixture of laughter and pathos with delightful performances from Fonda, James Cagney, William Powell (in his last role) and Jack Lemmon, who received an Oscar as the enterprising Ensign Pulver. Directed by John Ford and Mervyn LeRoy.

Objective, Burma: Raoul Walsh directed this stirring 1945 hit following a group of American paratroopers who are dropped over Burma to destroy a Japanese radar station. After completing their mission, they are spotted by the Japanese and must survive skirmishes, sickness and starvation in the jungle until they are rescued. Errol Flynn stars.

The Purple Heart: Lewis Milestone (“All Quiet on the Western Front”) directed this 1944 release about the brutalities suffered by an American air crew put on trial in a Japanese court. Dana Andrews and Farley Granger star.

Run Silent, Run Deep: Robert Wise directed this gritty, rugged 1958 drama starring Clark Gable as a submarine commander who clashes with his officers, especially Burt Lancaster, while stalking the Japanese sub that destroyed his last command.

So Proudly We Hail: It may seem hokey today, but this 1943 drama about the heroism of the nurses serving in the Pacific theater struck a chord with audiences and critics alike. Claudette Colbert, Paulette Goddard and Veronica Lake headline this drama.

The Sands of Iwo Jima: This 1949 release is one of John Wayne’s best films. He received his first Oscar nomination for his memorable turn as a tough Marine sergeant who trains a group of misfits and eventually leads them to victory in the capture of Iwo Jima from the Japanese. Allan Dwan directed.

South Pacific: Based on Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Broadway hit, this 1958 musical drama deals with a spunky American nurse (Mitzi Gaynor) who falls for a handsome Frenchman (Rossano Brazzi) while she is stationed on a Pacific island. John Kerr also stars. Joshua Logan directed.

They Were Expendable: John Ford directed this complex 1945 chronicle of an American PT boat squadron fighting the Japanese in the Philippines in the early days of the war. John Wayne and Robert Montgomery, who was a real-life naval officer, star in this underrated flag-waver.

Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo: Dated, but rousing 1944 dramatization of the planning and execution of first bombing raid over Tokyo. Spencer Tracy, Van Johnson and Robert Walker star. Written by Dalton Trumbo, who was later blacklisted.

Wake Island: One of the first and most popular World War II films, this 1942 release follows a group of brave Marines stationed on the small Pacific island who are attacked by the Japanese just after Pearl Harbor. This movie was shown to cadets in training camp to help boost morale. Robert Preston and William Bendix star.