Guadalcanal Diary

Released Oct 27, 1943

1 hr. 33 min.

War

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Reviews

61%

1,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Filmed just months after the actual allied invasion of Guadalcanal late in 1942, this patriotic feature follows a ragtag group of Marines sent to fight in the South Pacific. As steely Sgt. Malone (Lloyd Nolan), Brooklyn wiseguy Potts (William Bendix) and the teenaged Anderson (Richard Jaeckel) prepare for battle, they are taken aback when they initially meet no resistance. Rattled by stealthy Japanese snipers, the Marines struggle to stay alive as they plan a major offensive against the enemy.

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Audience Member

The best inspiring movie ever made!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/26/23

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Audience Member

Good film, pity about the racism, even for propaganda, First rule of war is to dehumanise the enemy. War is hell, Hollywood does not show the whole truth.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/31/23

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Audience Member

"A typical, inspirational WWII Hollywood movie, a product of the times and pressures in which it was made."

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

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Audience Member

Above average war film set in Guadalcanal, as the army take over a deserted Airfield and village, however soon they are under attack, and the story includes diary events of the soldiers,which are read out,One of my favourite actors Preston Foster is exellent, Preston Foster as Father Donnelly Lloyd Nolan as Gunnery Sgt. Hook Malone William Bendix as Corporal Aloysius T. "Taxi" Potts Richard Conte as Captain Don Davis Anthony Quinn as Private Jesus "Soose" Alvarez Richard Jaeckel as Private Johnny "Chicken" Anderson Roy Roberts as Captain James Cross Minor Watson as Colonel Wallace E. Grayson Ralph Byrd as Ned Rowman Lionel Stander as Sergeant Butch Reed Hadley as War correspondent / Narrator John Archer as Lieutenant Thurmond star, The majority of the film was shot on location at Camp Pendleton, near Oceanside, California. Many of the Marines stationed there were filmed while on maneuvers and a substantial number appeared in the picture in small speaking parts or as extras Its an enjoyable film,with original film footage, and loss of life, but gives an historical insight into war at the time

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

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s r

War propaganda, but it still showed how hard it can be to be a soldier so I will give it honesty points there. I do not think I will see it again.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

Besides watching the film for the purpose of war propaganda at its time, Guadalcanal Diary bears almost no memorable value when viewed today

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/06/23

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Lewis Seiler

Director

Preston Foster

Father Donnelly

Lloyd Nolan

Sgt. Hook Malone

William Bendix

Corp. Taxi Potts

Richard Conte

Capt. Davis

Anthony Quinn

Jesus "Soose" Alvarez

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Dorothy Moe

Tampa Bay Times

Yes, it's a picture all Americans should see. It's real and it's tough and it's rough. But it'll help us at home understand just a bit better the full total of what our fighting men are doing for us overseas.

Jan 13, 2021

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

A typical, inspirational WWII Hollywood movie, a product of the times and pressures in which it was made.

Rated: C+

Mar 9, 2012

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Ryan Cracknell

Apollo Guide

Rated: 73/100

Nov 27, 2001

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Walter Chaw

Film Freak Central

is interesting for a glimpse at the Hollywood propaganda machine of WWII if not for any other reason

Rated: 1/4

Nov 13, 2001

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Synopsis

Filmed just months after the actual allied invasion of Guadalcanal late in 1942, this patriotic feature follows a ragtag group of Marines sent to fight in the South Pacific. As steely Sgt. Malone (Lloyd Nolan), Brooklyn wiseguy Potts (William Bendix) and the teenaged Anderson (Richard Jaeckel) prepare for battle, they are taken aback when they initially meet no resistance. Rattled by stealthy Japanese snipers, the Marines struggle to stay alive as they plan a major offensive against the enemy.

Director: Lewis Seiler
Screenwriter: Lamar Trotti
Distributor: Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation
Genre: War
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 27, 1943, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 6, 2014

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