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on February 27, 2016
This is an excellent film to recognize the bravery of a very special army unit in combat. Perhaps Hollywood will produce a more technically-detailed version some day, but the added value of this production is that it was made not long after WWII and was able to use some actual veterans from the 442nd RCT and the 100th Battalion which at that point was attached to the 442nd.
My father was an American Infantry officer during WWII and served from the WWII U.S. Army formation at the "Great Louisiana Maneuvers" in the summer of 1941 through all of the North African campaign, then Sicily, and all the way up Italy to the German surrender in May 1945. I was raised on stories of the war, and the 442nd's achievements were one of those stories. Dad never understood prejudice in any form but especially prejudice against men who were part of the same fighting force and most especially against men who showed themselves so bravely. As he told me early on and in a very respectful voice, "The Nisei had the highest level of purple hearts and awards for bravery of any unit in the army." Before the 442nd left Italy enroute to France [and saving the "Lost Battalion"], there was an awards ceremony for them in northern Italy. I have a couple photos of that ceremony as my father proudly represented U.S. Fifth Army there. But I'm attaching another photo of the 442nd/100th Btn.in Italy--a photo of the unit being reviewed by then Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal with Gen. Mark Clark on the left and another officer--in helmet and probably the 442nd commander. I add the photo here because I believe the people who see the film and read the review comments would enjoy it. Sincerely, Heydon Buchanan
My father was an American Infantry officer during WWII and served from the WWII U.S. Army formation at the "Great Louisiana Maneuvers" in the summer of 1941 through all of the North African campaign, then Sicily, and all the way up Italy to the German surrender in May 1945. I was raised on stories of the war, and the 442nd's achievements were one of those stories. Dad never understood prejudice in any form but especially prejudice against men who were part of the same fighting force and most especially against men who showed themselves so bravely. As he told me early on and in a very respectful voice, "The Nisei had the highest level of purple hearts and awards for bravery of any unit in the army." Before the 442nd left Italy enroute to France [and saving the "Lost Battalion"], there was an awards ceremony for them in northern Italy. I have a couple photos of that ceremony as my father proudly represented U.S. Fifth Army there. But I'm attaching another photo of the 442nd/100th Btn.in Italy--a photo of the unit being reviewed by then Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal with Gen. Mark Clark on the left and another officer--in helmet and probably the 442nd commander. I add the photo here because I believe the people who see the film and read the review comments would enjoy it. Sincerely, Heydon Buchanan
"Go For Broke!" True-Story of incredible Bravery by Japanese-Americans sacrificing their Lives defending pluralistic-Democracy !
on May 28, 2017
On the eve of Memorial Day it seems extra vital to keep at least some of the memories 'alive' relating to those who made the ultimate sacrifice toward defending our hallowed pluralistic-democracy against fascism (and really opposing any form of brutal authoritarian-rule that places little or no-value on individual human life or freedom).
'Go For Broke" (released in 1951, directed by Robert Pirosh) is most certainly one of those deeply historically-resonant films that keeps (at least) part of this essential memory alive = the Story of the incredibly Brave and unquestionably Loyal patriots of Japanese-American heritage who wholeheartedly volunteered to defend American principles of democracy and self-determination throughout the bloody-battlefields of Europe fighting tooth-and-nail against the Axis Powers led by Nazi Germany (fighting thru Italy, France and Germany) as part of both the "100th Battalion" and the "442nd Regiment" (which actually join-forces in this film).
I was really happy to see that AMAZON Video is offering the original "Go For Broke" film for a reasonable price,,,, and I recently rewatched this (although I had seen it a couple times before, a few years back). The Amazon picture quality is relatively-good considering the age of source-materials (but probably not remastered),,,,,, "Go For Broke" is also the kind of priceless Hollywood film that really deserves a full-blown BluRay package someday (with as many interviews and archival footage that they could possibly pack-in!)...... but the main thing is that on AMAZON video, people will at least have the chance to see this early attempt by Hollywood (circa1951) to tell an essential true-story about exceptional courage & sacrifice in defense of democratic principles by the rock-solid Japanese American patriots comprising the '100th Battalion' and '442 Regiment' (receiving nearly 10,000 Purple-Hearts for bravery in combat all told roughly 30,000 Japanese Americans served the US military during WWII, even while many of their family members were still held in internment camps on the West-Coast and elsewhere...... true-stories that should not ever be forgotten).
'Go For Broke" (released in 1951, directed by Robert Pirosh) is most certainly one of those deeply historically-resonant films that keeps (at least) part of this essential memory alive = the Story of the incredibly Brave and unquestionably Loyal patriots of Japanese-American heritage who wholeheartedly volunteered to defend American principles of democracy and self-determination throughout the bloody-battlefields of Europe fighting tooth-and-nail against the Axis Powers led by Nazi Germany (fighting thru Italy, France and Germany) as part of both the "100th Battalion" and the "442nd Regiment" (which actually join-forces in this film).
I was really happy to see that AMAZON Video is offering the original "Go For Broke" film for a reasonable price,,,, and I recently rewatched this (although I had seen it a couple times before, a few years back). The Amazon picture quality is relatively-good considering the age of source-materials (but probably not remastered),,,,,, "Go For Broke" is also the kind of priceless Hollywood film that really deserves a full-blown BluRay package someday (with as many interviews and archival footage that they could possibly pack-in!)...... but the main thing is that on AMAZON video, people will at least have the chance to see this early attempt by Hollywood (circa1951) to tell an essential true-story about exceptional courage & sacrifice in defense of democratic principles by the rock-solid Japanese American patriots comprising the '100th Battalion' and '442 Regiment' (receiving nearly 10,000 Purple-Hearts for bravery in combat all told roughly 30,000 Japanese Americans served the US military during WWII, even while many of their family members were still held in internment camps on the West-Coast and elsewhere...... true-stories that should not ever be forgotten).
on October 18, 2015
I remember seeing this on TV many years ago. Recently I visited one of the relocation centers in Idaho. At the camp was a large display of names of the real men who served in the 442nd battalion. The 442nd battalion was made up of Japanese Americans from these camps who were asked to serve the country that had placed their families behind barbed wire. The movie is based on the real battles fought by the 442nd during WWII in Europe. The move shows some of the prejudice these men faced, from their own white officers and other white soldiers they fought with. The movie is well done and tells a nice story. Van Johnson is the White Officer who does not want to lead a group of "Japs". He is told by another white officer, that they are not "japs" but Japanese Americans, or Nisei. Johnson slowly begins to respect his men and eventually defends them. Historically the film is not bad. All the honors and medals for the group and the individual soldiers were really earned. I enjoyed this film.
on August 17, 2017
I am quite pleased with this picture. I have to say it was probably a bit risky to make this back in the day. It hit racism head on . . . yet with gentle humor. Van Johnson was fine in this picture, but he really wasn't the star. It was all of the Japanese actors doing a great job of just humanizing the cause.
on January 24, 2016
I'm sure the movie WOULD be good if it was a quality product. I really enjoy Van Johnson movies normally. Unfortunately it appears that the DVD was printed off of the worst copy of this movie in existence. Absolutely horrible! So much of the movie just appears white washed like it came from a film copy that had been run through the projector so many times that the image is just bleached! I've honestly NEVER purchased a DVD of this poor of quality. I will say though that I've made a lot of purchases from Amazon over the years and the quality has been consistently good with the exception of this one DVD. So, I will continue to be a regular customer of Amazon.
on August 29, 2015
What can I say about an old B&W Van Johnson WWII movie except that it was a well meaning attempt to portray the organization, training, military excellence, bravery and heroics of the all Japanese/American 442 Infantry Regimental Combat Team and in particular their frontal assault uphill facing entrenched German troops in order to reach the 141st Infantry Regiment (formed in part with the 36th Infantry composed of a Texas National Guard unit) that was cut off, surrounded by German troops and without ammunition, food and water. A spectacular military feat by any standard. While not a well made movie, the movie was made with some (not much) portrayal of the discrimination faced by Japanese Americans during the war as well as the fighting spirit of the 442. The late Senator from Hawaii Daniel Inouye, a 1st Lt. in the 442 earned the Purple Heart for loosing his arm to repeated fire from German machine guns, the Bronze Star and the Distinguished Service Cross. He was later fully recognized along with 19 other members of the 442 for their valor and bravery during WWII with the Congressional Medal of Honor.
on August 20, 2017
Relevant today. Here are men that fought despite family being interned.
A story of duty, discipline and sacrifice.
Selfless contribution in the face of prejudice and bigotry.
Today we glorify millionaire athletes that pout on the sidelines.
A story of duty, discipline and sacrifice.
Selfless contribution in the face of prejudice and bigotry.
Today we glorify millionaire athletes that pout on the sidelines.
on September 13, 2015
This is a classic war movie, one I hadn't seen for at least twenty years, and tries to
tell the story of the most decorated outfit in our military, one made up of Japanese-
Americans fighting in Europe at a time when all Orientals were viewed with hate, or
at least suspicion. A reasonably good job is done by Van Johnson as the prejudiced
officer put in charge of a company of these soldiers, and by the writer and director at
showing how his attitude toward them gradually changes. But the story itself is thin,
and only a token (pun not intended) effort is made to flesh out the characters of the
soldiers themselves, and what they fought for.
As Hollywood remakes everything these days, this is a movie that could use the full
treatment. It is a story that deserves to be told in full detail.
tell the story of the most decorated outfit in our military, one made up of Japanese-
Americans fighting in Europe at a time when all Orientals were viewed with hate, or
at least suspicion. A reasonably good job is done by Van Johnson as the prejudiced
officer put in charge of a company of these soldiers, and by the writer and director at
showing how his attitude toward them gradually changes. But the story itself is thin,
and only a token (pun not intended) effort is made to flesh out the characters of the
soldiers themselves, and what they fought for.
As Hollywood remakes everything these days, this is a movie that could use the full
treatment. It is a story that deserves to be told in full detail.
on June 21, 2016
Classic war movie for Japanese AMERICANS.
Wish they would have had a sequel of those who survive the battles and returned to the US and what happened to them afterwards. Especially those on the mainland, as their families were released from the camps and had to resettle after all they worked for was taken away from them. If you are a Japanese American, talk to your grandparents (or great grandparents) what it was like. Otherwise, like stoic Japanese of their generation, they carry all the lessons learned to their graves and we of our generation will have learned nothing from their experiences.
Wish they would have had a sequel of those who survive the battles and returned to the US and what happened to them afterwards. Especially those on the mainland, as their families were released from the camps and had to resettle after all they worked for was taken away from them. If you are a Japanese American, talk to your grandparents (or great grandparents) what it was like. Otherwise, like stoic Japanese of their generation, they carry all the lessons learned to their graves and we of our generation will have learned nothing from their experiences.
on September 8, 2015
Sure, it's a fifties Hollywood production with poor battlefield accuracy. And, sure, the dialog is strained, the characters too stereotyped. And, sure, the quote attributed to Roosevelt is absurd given the interment of Japanese Americans and the treatment black Americans received. And, sure, Hollywood needed a name white actor on the marquee. But, so soon after WW 2, it is encouraging to know some one had the courage to tell the incredible story of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and the extraordinary Nisei who served this nation so well, in spite of the treat,met they received at home. Overlook the film's many shortcomings and respect the truth behind the celluloid.
