Theatrical Release Date:December 20, 1943 Release Date:January 1, 2003 Availability:Usually ships in 1-2 business days Shipping:Expedited shipping available Shipping:International shipping available Condition:BRAND NEW, Factory Sealed items direct from the Studios. 30 Day Satisfaction Guarantee. Quick International Airmail!
Oh, to be bullet proofNovember 2, 2008 I watched Gung Ho a while back(weeks) and when it ran first time in theatres(years). Let me think about it. What was the story line? It must have seeped through my sieve-like brain. Let's see, Randolph Scott et al were fighting the Japanese, our enemy of the moment. We collected more enemies in subsequent unending wars. Anyway, it's a world war two flick, sort of routine fare now, but back in the early nineteen forties we relished seeing evil, pardon the abreviation, Japs, decimated in battle. After the war I served in Japan . Tokyo was leveled and burned, but the Imperial Palace and the Di Ichi Building were untouched, where ,one day, I saw General MacArthur descend the steps to his car while the vanquished bowed as if he was a God.
The use of Guerrilla warfare in the Pacific against JapanJuly 1, 2008 0 out of 1 found this review helpful
On Guerrilla Warfare is a 1937 Chinese text on how to fight the Japanese and win. The British called these tactics: 'commando'; hit hard and unexpectedly and run. The movie is like Billy Mitchell's B25 bomber raid from an aircraft carrier is about America innovating in the face of defeat. No one in this movie mentions that the Chinese they were basing this methods on were Communists. In fact at that time the Soviets and Chinese Communists were Allies against the Germans, Italians and Japanese. Other than that this movie is a lot like a John Wayne blood and guts war movie.
Inspirational war movie.June 19, 2008 Randolph scott is back in 1943 and he hasn't got his cowboy hat or his six shooters. He has to make do with a tommy machine gun that he can't holster which must be akward for him. In the movie I keep thinking he is looking for his horse and I expect him to run out and get on one. I wouldn't of been surpised if he had found one on the island and rode it into battle. With all the short commings its still a very good movie. They do a great job of demonizing the enemy. The story line works very well. American translation Gung ho = Can do.
The Story about Carlson's RaidersMay 22, 2008 This 1943 film about the Second Marine Raider Battalion in the South Pacific is based on a true story. Hollywood adjusts the facts to provide dramatic events, even if not a war-time film. Lt. Col. Evans F. Carlson had experience before WW II; he joined the Chinese Eighth Route Army to learn about their successes. The peasants out-fought the Japanese troops because they believed in their cause. (And maybe had a far larger supply of people.) In San Diego they ask for volunteers for a special mission. The volunteers are interviewed and tell about themselves; they all had something to prove. They will receive unique training, but they must cast out all prejudices and work in harmony ("gung ho"is the Chinese phrase for teamwork).
Rigorous exercises put them in peak physical shape. They learn all the tricks of judo and unconventional fighting to win and survive. These scenes are explicit. Col. Thornwald says the weakness of the Japanese troops is the inability to react quickly to unexpected conditions. [That is true for many others as well.] There were "Meatless Tuesdays" and rationing for civilians. The Battalion views the destroyed ships at Pearl Harbor. The battle of Guadalcanal and Tulagi is ongoing. Two submarines will transport the 600 men to their destination, Makin Island. They will invade, kill all the enemy troops and destroy the installation by using the element of surprise. That's the stated plan.
Japanese airplanes (which look like repainted F4F Wildcats) attack the submerged submarine unsuccessfully. [The film shows "ashcans" not the small bombs carried by fighter airplanes.] Rubber boats take the men ashore. Jap snipers in trees begin the battle. Heroic action neutralizes a machine gun nest, and the attack succeeds. Walkie-talkies are used for communication. They must next attack the radio station. Two marines take advantage of an enemy vehicle for their attack. The approach of enemy forces cause a withdrawal. Some wounded were left behind! A clever ruse causes the Japanese airplanes to attack Jap troops. They must leave the island before the Jap navy task force arrives. Colonel Thornwald ends with a speech about ensuring freedom after the war ends. How did that work out? There are no surprises in this formula movie. [This "Quality Classic" videotape has low quality picture from its extended play recording.]
.........GUNG-HO WAS A HIT MOVIE IN 1943.....April 12, 2007 5 out of 5 found this review helpful
And I will tell you why...it showed the first offensive ground action taken against the Japanese Army...offensive action...the film/goers, both young and older rushed to see this Marine movie...you have to remember America wasn't even aware of year 1991 to the present...IT WAS 1943 and America was galvanized like an iron fist to crush the hated Japanese forces a far, far cry from how American's view of the war in Iraq...the USA was totally UNITED to eradicate Fascism off the face of the earth...WW2 movies were also utilized to educate us, slowly but surely, about two new words being bantered in the press and newsreels..United Nations...that is clearly seen in the final fadeout in a face to face lecture Randolph Scott declares to the nation...to the contraditions of other reviews in here, it most certainly was a clarion call...and that stirring fadeout scene was NOT a silly speech; rather, Scott's eloquent preamble of what this new United Nations unity is all about was very compelling, every word was important, every word ...yes, a new social order to prevent world wars in the future...it had a great and uplifting impact on everyone who left the showing...there was no television, no CNN, or cable media world-wide newscasts with hidden agendas, no phoney political correctness...just radio and the WW2 movies...kudos to Universal Studios and Producer: Walter Wanger in releasing, "GUNG HO"...Hollywood had much to do to keep morale up all throughout the loooong war, overseas and on the homefront...everyone pitched in to win WW2, in direct contrast to the fragmentation of our country today, which is wrought by the politically correct, ego/politicians and dilletantes which we have in today's America...this is a wonderful and fast paced movie in 1943 built around the US Marine Raiders [3 Marine Raider Bns]....it's an icon movie of the WW2 era and a heroic/tribute to those who SAVED the American way......Semper Fi, Mac.....SSGT CHRIS SARNO-USMC
