Search - American Experience: Bataan Rescue on DVD

Good piece of little known history

Just the facts, please | Florida | 07/06/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is a good documentary on an amazing rescue at the end of WWII. Not much is known of this event other than the initial "death march". It is quite astounding to learn that the Japanese had over 17,000 U.S. prisoners in the PI. Also, the atrocities are terrible. The commentary from the survivors, as well as the rescuers makes this a very good program with a personal feel. I would have liked to have seen more on scene footage and original reel footage, instead of re-enactment. All in all, 4 stars and a keeper for any WWII/military history buff. It's always great to learn the little-known facts of any event."

Well told story of WW2 history in Philippines

Pistol Pete | Houston, TX United States | 07/25/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This documentary from PBS in the "American Experience" series is very well done. The story is set in World War II in the Philippines and follows the stories of American soldiers trapped in the Philippines. The soldiers are subjected to brutal treatment after surrender to the Japanese. The Bataan death march follows, and they spend years at a prison camp in Cabanatuan. Army rangers come in for the rescue.

It's a good patriotic story that is very interesting. It's not too long (about 50 minutes) and you will probably enjoy seeing the footage, interviews with survivors and learning a little bit of history. My only beef with the movie is that they kept butchering the pronunciation of places in the Philippines. To the untrained ear it won't make a difference, but if you have heard the names pronounced correctly previously, it is a little jarring. Kind of like hearing Houston pronounced "Hows-town". Highly recommended."