Go For Broke! | Van Johnson, Lane Nakano | Japanese-American GIs in WWII

Go For Broke! | Van Johnson, Lane Nakano | A fine prequel to another film

DVDs:

Go For Broke!

	Go For Broke! Van Johnson, Lane Nakano Vci Video, 2002 average customer review:based on 15 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

They were the 442nd Regimental Combat Team... a squad of loyal, Japanese-Americans who had to battle prejudice as well as the Axis enemy. Van Johnson stars as their contemptuous top-kick, whose bigotry gives way to respect in the crucible of war. Supporting Johnson is a cast of veterans, all former members of the highly decorated 442nd, whose battle cry, "Go For Broke!" means, "Shoot the works!" Bonus Features: Original Theatrical Trailer| Scene Selection. Specs: DVD5; Dolby Digital Mono; 92 minutes; B&W; 1.33:1 Aspect Ratio; MPAA - NR; Year - 1951; SRP - $9.99.

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Japanese-American GIs in WWII

This is a very good film directed by Robert Pirosh, who scripted HELL IS FOR HEROES with Steve McQueen, about Japanese-American GIs in WWII trained and assigned to fight in Europe during the war. Taught and brilliantly acted and executed this is one of the best war films to come out of that era. It depicts and addresses many of the social issues of Japanese-Americans detained unjustly but given a chance to prove themselves as loyal Americans but more importantly as men of honor defending their country be the politics right or wrong. A good one all around.

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A fine prequel to another film

A BAD DAY AT BLACK ROCK made me curious about the Hollywood take of the Japanese-American GI experience of World War II. That curiosity led directly to this film which was also produced by Dore Schary. It's a remarkably satisfying prequel to the later film that I reccommend highly for its rich characterization, and the fine demonstration of ensemble-storytelling presented by writer/director Robert Pirosh. Despite the absence of special features, this one absolutely rocks! I was deeply moved by the most unobtrusive, naturalistic, gentle propaganda I've ever had the priviledge and pleasure to watch.

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A Unique Heartfelt Story.

This highly underrated film should be required viewing for any high school & University student. This film shows the two sides of the coin of life. Life is neither heads or tails, it is both. The film is about the US 442nd regiment combat team in WW2. The Japanese-American platoon had to fight both the Germans & the racial prejidices of their fellow GI's. Lieutenant Mike Grayson-Van Johnson trains the men, but does so very unwillingly. Soon during their campaigns in Italy & France in 1943-44, he develops a great admiration for the Japanese-Americans. The depth of their sacrifice & heroic strength-"Go For Broke motto," prove to him that they are both great soldiers & Americans.

To the present day they remain the most decorated unit in the history of the US military. The acting by all was good throughout. The only negatives of the film are that the battle scenes seem somewhat unrealistic & it could have been a bit longer.

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Sincere and thoroughly merited tribute

The contribution of minority ethnic fighting units to victory in World War 2 has long been a neglected aspect of the war movie -and to a lesser extent ,historical scholarship also.In my native UK the role of ,say ,Indian and Caribbean regiments has only recently received due attention from historians and has been wholly ignored by film makers .
Go For Broke is in many respects an utterly conventional war picture of its era.It deals with the training of a group of volunteers -their basic fitness,instruction in armaments and military culture .The usual parade ground and training camp cliches are all present and correct .The battle scenes -set in Italy and France -see the progress of the unit from raw recruits to battle hardened and decorated soldiers .Some survive and others die .So far so routine .
However what sets the movie apart is that it looks at a Nisei (Japanese -American )regiment the 442 Combat Team -the most decorated fighting troops in the US army in the whole war .It deals with the resistance and scepticism they faced -including initially their own commander (Van Johnson)-and sets out the background very clearly .Many of their families are in internment camps and still face open hostility on the home front .In a very real sense they are fighting for their families as much as for their comrades in arms -fighting to secure a stake in their post war nation .

In execution this is fairly routine .In conception it is worthwhile and brave and redresses a neglect of these loyal and courageous men who made a major contribution to victory

The movie is well worth seeing as a piece of history and a reasonably exciting war movie with some decent battle scenes

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The Most Decorated Unit

The 442nd Combat team was one of the most decorated units in WW II. This film tells their story to those who never heard of them. Other Americans of Japanese ancestry served as translators in the Pacific theater. It was an all-volunteer outfit whose members were investigated. The talk tells about the families who were forcibly relocated, and the background of the soldiers. The new lieutenant enforces the rules and starts training. [It seems more sedate than "Gung Ho".] Do they have regulation haircuts? "Go for broke" is pidgin English for "shoot the works".

In May 1944 the Combat team is shipped out to Europe. They land in Naples Italy and continue to the front. Lt. Grayson extends his break too long. Soon they come under fire, and neutralize the enemy. "Squad leaders up front!" They capture the enemy. Next they are sent to France and join another unit. Lt. Grayson negotiates with his old sergeant. Then they see action. One unit is surrounded; can they be rescued? You know there will be a happy ending for this war film. The rescued soldiers are given cigarettes. Their unit is given their deserved award at the end of the war.
This film has a relaxed tone compared to earlier films.

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reviews: page 1, 2, 3

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