The Great Raid

The Great Raid

Year: 2005

Runtime: 132 min

Language: English

Director: John Dahl

Budget: $80M

ActionDramaWar

During World War II, a small team of U.S. Army Rangers undertakes a perilous mission to liberate over 500 American prisoners of war held at the Cabanatuan prison camp in the Philippines. Facing overwhelming enemy forces and treacherous terrain, these soldiers must overcome seemingly impossible odds to free their comrades. The raid is a desperate attempt to restore hope and demonstrate resolve amidst the brutal realities of war, testing the limits of courage and resilience.

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Timeline & Setting – The Great Raid (2005)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Great Raid (2005). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1941-1945

The film takes place during World War II, a period marked by global conflict and profound human suffering. From the attack on Pearl Harbor to the waning days of the war, this era saw significant military strategies evolve, culminating in desperate rescue missions like the one depicted. It reflects a time when hope was often overshadowed by despair while heroes emerged against overwhelming odds.

Location

Bataan peninsula, Philippines, Cabanatuan, Palawan

The Philippines, particularly the Bataan peninsula, served as a critical battleground during World War II. Known for its lush landscapes and strategic importance, it became the site of the infamous Bataan Death March. Cabanatuan and Palawan stand out as harrowing locations where American POWs endured extreme hardships, creating a legacy of both tragedy and heroism.

🇵🇭 Philippines 🏞️ Historical Site

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:46

Main Characters – The Great Raid (2005)

Meet the key characters of The Great Raid (2005), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Lieutenant Colonel Henry Mucci (Benjamin Bratt)

Lieutenant Colonel Henry Mucci embodies bravery and strategic leadership. He orchestrates the daring rescue mission, showing both resolve and compassion for the POWs. His character highlights the moral complexities faced by military leaders during wartime.

🪖 Military 🎖️ Leadership 💔 Compassion

Captain Robert Prince (James Franco)

Captain Robert Prince is a key figure in the rescue operation, leveraging his tactical skills to navigate the dangers of enemy territory. His character demonstrates unwavering loyalty and courage, making him a crucial ally in the mission to save the POWs.

🪖 Military 💪 Valor 🤝 Loyalty

nurse Margaret Utinsky (Connie Nielsen)

Nurse Margaret Utinsky symbolizes resilience and selflessness, risking her life to provide medical aid to imprisoned soldiers. Her determination to assist others amidst grave danger illustrates the power of empathy and heroism beyond the battlefield.

🏥 Medical 💖 Empathy ✊ Heroism

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:46

Major Themes – The Great Raid (2005)

Explore the central themes of The Great Raid (2005), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🎖️ Courage

Courage is a central theme as characters navigate their harrowing circumstances, risking their lives for others. The unwavering bravery of the Rangers and the sacrifices made by POWs exemplify the human spirit's ability to endure adversity. Through this lens, the film honors those who fought valiantly in the face of overwhelming danger.

⚔️ Sacrifice

Sacrifice permeates the narrative, highlighting the personal costs associated with warfare. Characters like Lieutenant Colonel Mucci and Captain Prince demonstrate their commitment to the rescue mission, underscoring the idea that freedom often comes at a steep price. This theme resonates deeply as it reflects the larger struggles of those affected by the war.

🌍 Resilience

Resilience is depicted through the experiences of both the POWs and their rescuers. Despite facing brutal conditions, the prisoners maintain hope, while the Rangers' determination drives them to succeed against daunting odds. This theme emphasizes the strength of the human spirit in overcoming seemingly insurmountable challenges.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:46

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Movies with daring rescue missions like The Great Raid

High-stakes military operations where courage faces overwhelming enemy forces.If you enjoyed the high-stakes military strategy and tense execution of the raid in The Great Raid, you'll find similar thrill in these films. This section features movies like The Great Raid that focus on desperate, against-all-odds rescue operations, often based on true historical events, where precision and courage are the only keys to success.

tenseurgentresolutegrimstrategichopefulsomberanxious

Narrative Summary

These narratives often follow a clear three-act structure: establishing the dire situation of those trapped, detailing the complex and risky planning phase, and culminating in the tense, action-packed execution of the mission. The journey is one of focused determination, where success is measured in lives saved against a backdrop of significant danger.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on a specific, high-stakes military objective—rescue. They share a tone of grim urgency, a steady pacing that builds towards a climactic operation, and a heavy emotional weight derived from the life-or-death stakes. The experience is defined by strategic tension and the catharsis of a hard-won victory.

Grim war dramas with heavy emotional weight like The Great Raid

Stories where survival comes at a profound cost, blending trauma with triumph.For viewers who appreciated the somber portrayal of war's cost and the bittersweet victory in The Great Raid, this section highlights similar movies. These films, like The Great Raid, explore themes of prisoner survival, war atrocities, and the heavy emotional residue that remains even after a mission is accomplished.

sombergrimdesperatehopefultraumaticresilientbittersweetheavy

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves characters enduring extreme hardship, often in captivity or under oppression, their spirits tested by violence and deprivation. The story builds towards a moment of liberation or escape, but the resolution is complex. The focus shifts to the psychological aftermath, acknowledging that freedom does not erase the trauma endured, resulting in an emotionally layered and realistic ending.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their heavy emotional weight, bleak depictions of war's reality, and a tone that balances grim tension with a thread of human resilience. The pacing is often steady, allowing the gravity of the situation to sink in, and they consistently deliver endings that are more contemplative and bittersweet than purely victorious.

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The Great Raid Summary

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The Great Raid Timeline

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The Great Raid Timeline

The Great Raid Spoiler-Free Summary

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The Great Raid Spoiler-Free Summary

More About The Great Raid

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