The film begins after the Japanese invasion of the Philippines and the departure of American and Filipino troops from the Bataan Peninsula. With only a handful of men, Sgt. Bill Dane (Robert Taylor) is assigned the task of defending a position and destroying an important peninsular bridge. Though heavily outnumbered by the enemy, Sgt. Dane and his men are determined to fight to the death.
With a well-armed Japanese army lurking unseen in the jungle, the ever-present threat of malaria, shortage of medicine, minimal food rations, and bodily weariness, this small band of men is fighting a nearly-hopeless battle. However, in the words of Sgt. Dane, "the men who died here may have done more than we'll ever know to save this whole world."
The acting in Bataan is good, the dialogue realistic. The gun and grenade scenes are extremely authentic, as is the fact that the soldiers represent people of all races. The ending scene is powerful and quite haunting...one of the best endings I have ever seen in a war film. All in all, I think this film provides an amazingly realistic account of what happened on the Bataan Peninsula.
Bataan really is a must-see film...especially on Memorial Day. While horribly depressing because nearly all the defenders die, the film serves as a vehicle to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice. We all should watch this (and other films like it) and then give thanks for the men who gave everything so that we might live in freedom. Out on DVD, it should be fairly easy to track this one down.
Happy viewing!!