It is 1906 and the United States Army is withdrawing troops from the Philippines. The decision has been made that the native forces - The Philippines Constabulary - must learn to defend the country. However, a batch of American military advisors will be provided to the town of Mysang on the island of Mindanao. Lt. Bill Canavan (Gary Cooper) arrives at Mysang where he is greeted by Lt. McCool (David Niven) and Lt. Larsen (Broderick Crawford). Colonel Hatch is in command. The last of the Americans are Captain Manning and Captain Hartley.
The Moros (Muslim ethnic group in southern islands of the Philippines) are determined to wipe out the forces of Mysang and resume control of the island. Currently, they hide in the jungles where they are safe. In fact, they want the Philippines Constabulary to attack them in the jungle where they will have an advantage. To do this, Alipang, leader of the Moros, sends juramentados (suicidal assassins) to kill commanding officers and trigger a reprisal.
Canavan is a doctor with the assignment of keeping the town healthy. He gets the opportunity to treat wounds, address a cholera outbreak, and practice psychology. Of course, like most doctors, he also gets the chance to blaze away with a pistol, blow up a damn, toss sticks of dynamite at charging Moros, raft through rapids, trek through a trap-laden jungle, and romance Linda, the commanding officer's daughter.
Niven is miscast as he is clearly not an American soldier. No explanation is made for his English accent. He plays a good friend as well as a potential rival for Linda's affections. Crawford plays an amiable fellow obsessed with orchids. Andrea Leeds plays Linda Hartley in one of her last roles. Despite her father's wish for her to leave for her safety, she insists on staying. She's no damsel in distress. During the cholera outbreak, she becomes Canavan's assistant. During a siege, she provides ammunition and even orders the Constabulary back to their posts.
Though not based on any specific incident in the Moro Rebellion (1899-1913), it does hit the highlights. The Moros used suicide assassins, tended to be armed with spears and blades, and struck from the jungles. Cholera was a major issue through the islands in the era, killing an estimated 200,000 people. Actual combat only resulted in 18,000 to 26,000 deaths. The US involvement in the Philippines was very similar to Vietnam, with many of the same issues in both conflicts. Where Vietnam had the My Lai Massacre, the Moro Rebellion had Bud Dajo, which saw many more dead. It is not a laudable conflict, which is probably why there have been few movies on the subject.
Good popcorn fun. Recommended.
No comments:
Post a Comment