American Guerrilla in the Philippines

Released Nov 8, 1950

1h 45m

War

List

67%

Tomatometer

9 Reviews

25%

Audience Score

250+ Ratings

During World War II, when a U.S. boat sinks off the coast of an island in the Japanese-occupied Philippines, soldiers Chuck Palmer (Tyrone Power) and Jim Mitchell (Tom Ewell) must find a way to reach an Allied military base that is hundreds of miles away. On their journey through enemy territory, they befriend native Filipinos and help them stage an uprising against Japanese forces. Meanwhile, despite their dire situation, Palmer tries to woo local woman Jeanne Martinez (Micheline Presle).

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Bob Thomas

Associated Press

It is exciting in its action and believably acted by Tyrone Power and Michelline Prelle.

Jul 30, 2019

Full Review

Bosley Crowther

New York Times

There certainly is no accounting for the mechanistic nature of the script, for the lapses in continuity or for the lameness of the professionals in the cast.

Rated: 2/5

Feb 25, 2013

Full Review

Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

A routine but effective war movie.

Feb 25, 2013

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TV Guide

Though critics pummeled the film at the time, it appears now as a top-notch action production with great pace and gusto, having the necessary elements of tension and drive, with an excellent score and lush photography.

Rated: 3/4

Feb 25, 2013

Full Review

Richard Luck

Film4

A fine film that almost lives up to its mouthwatering title.

Feb 25, 2013

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Michael E. Grost

Classic Film and Television

Underrated tale of men trying to build media and communications in secret, with good Fritz Lang direction.

Jul 18, 2009

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Audience Member

The account of a group of American guerrilla fighters in the Philippines, waiting for MacArthur to reach the country that has been taken over by the Japanese. Left alone in enemy territory, the only signals they are sent is in messages printed on the back of cigarette boxes and received through homemade transmitter. The film is quite dull and outdated. As a matter of fact, overall it seems as inventive as its title. There is never a real feeling of tension, because an awkwardly placed love affair sucks a lot of life from it. In the end, this doesnâ(TM)t stand out from many other films of the kind, and it remains a somewhat anonymous Fritz Lang film.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/24/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A classic example of a director's style being trampled all over by the Hollywood machine - this more than pales in comparison to Lang's earlier expressionistic work and contains none of his signature genius.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/06/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This is the tale of how good no matter few in number or outsourced and through sheer determination will prevail against evil. There are many examples of courage in this film that manifests itself in a number of different characters and ways, whether it be the Filipino planter who chose to be beaten to death rather than succumb to Japanese interrogation or the Americans who stood and fought for a country they had no involvement in. The movie epitomizes the nature of the diminutive forces of the Filipino resistance against the might of Japan. Although not as esteemed as other war films of its era, it is no less than indispensable for any war film fanatic.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/02/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This tells the story of how people lived in second world war. This movie is a insult to its genre its rated as a childrens film in our country well if I had children I will not let them see it. The film will not entertain the children and doesn't tell the full story of world war 2 this movie shows people shooting that is not all of what happened in world war 2 bombs were thrown and much more none of that was shown in this movie. The acting was incredibly weak it started off average and just dropped it looked as if the actors just didn't have any faith in themselves they started off alright but all of the sudden they constantly talked quietly the acting was just a load of squeeches all these fake emotions it didn't look real even everything was just terrible except the first half hour after that everything in this movie was constantly weak and it was insulting. This movie as low hopes of winning any awards and if they have already I will be amazed because I really don't think its going to happen I almost fell asleep towards the end. Anyone who thinks this is average or good must be crazy this movie was just an insult to its genre there are much better drama,war films out there this stays with Battle of the Bulge it was just as bad as that this movie just showed constant gun shooting seriously I'm really into History its one of my favourite subjects so I know that just showing gun shooting isn't all or anywhere near world war 2. Basically this didn't have enough detail on world war 2 the story was far to slow and it was not interesting the begining was average still that could of been better and the ending and the acting was extremly weak the actors constantly showed nothing. Overall you should not see this there are better films in this genre out there.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/08/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Guerrilla action on Leyte during WW2

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

Full Review

Audience Member

In this I saw a different side to the swashbuckling Tyrone Power I was used to. Still very much a hero, but in a US Naval officer sort of way. A good flim with varied content and positive tempo. The Japanese enemy seemed a bit watered-down, however, and were the weakest point of a fairly noble exercise.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/20/23

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Fritz Lang

Director

Tyrone Power

Ensign Chuck Palmer

Micheline Presle

Jeanne Martinez

Tom Ewell

Jim Mitchell

Robert Patten

Lovejoy

Tommy Cook

Miguel

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Synopsis

During World War II, when a U.S. boat sinks off the coast of an island in the Japanese-occupied Philippines, soldiers Chuck Palmer (Tyrone Power) and Jim Mitchell (Tom Ewell) must find a way to reach an Allied military base that is hundreds of miles away. On their journey through enemy territory, they befriend native Filipinos and help them stage an uprising against Japanese forces. Meanwhile, despite their dire situation, Palmer tries to woo local woman Jeanne Martinez (Micheline Presle).

Director: Fritz Lang
Screenwriter: Lamar Trotti
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Production Co: 20th Century Fox
Genre: War
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 8, 1950, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 1, 2010
Runtime: 1h 45m

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