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The Great Raid
The Great Raid Image
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Metascore
48 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 29 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.1 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 47 Ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
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  • Starring: Benjamin Bratt, James Franco
  • Summary: From director John Dahl comes the stirring true story of one of the most spectacular rescue missions ever to take place in American history: "the great raid on Cabanatuan," the daring exploit that would liberate more than 500 U.S. Prisoners of War in the face of overwhelming odds. A gripping depiction of human resilience, the film vividly brings to life the personal courage and audacious heroism that allowed a small but stoic band of World War II soldiers to attempt the impossible in the hopes of freeing their captured brothers. (Miramax)… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 29
  3. Negative: 5 out of 29
  1. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Roger Ebert
    75
    The Great Raid is perhaps more timely now than it would have been a few years ago, when "smart bombs" and a couple of weeks of warfare were supposed to solve the Iraq situation. Now that we are involved in a lengthy and bloody ground war there, it is good to have a film that is not about entertainment for action fans, but about how wars are won with great difficulty, risk, and cost.
  2. Chicago Reader
    Reviewed by: Andrea Gronvall
    60
    Benjamin Bratt lacks the dynamism one would expect of the commanding officer of a U.S. Rangers rescue unit; James Franco, however, is solid in the less flashy role of the mission's mastermind, and as the POW leader Joseph Fiennes manages to be heroic while prettily languishing from malaria.
  3. New York Post
    Reviewed by: Kyle Smith
    38
    I hereby award the World War II drama The Great Raid a Cement Star for faithful and distinguished service to the cause of mediocrity.

See all 29 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 30 out of 36
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 36
  3. Negative: 5 out of 36
  1. JaredB.
    10
    The fact that some critics gave this movie such harsh reviews lets me know that some people just don't know a great movie when they see it. Sure, it could have been at least 10 minutes shorter. However, despite the length, this is a stunning, action-packed retelling of the most successful rescue operation ever attempted by a U.S. military outfit. An excellent film.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  2. Lyn
    5
    The Bataan Death March is one of the most riveting stories of WW II, and I was excited to see this film about a related event featuring a heroic rescue of American prisoners. The action and real-life heroes of the Philippine theater deserve their own "Saving Private Ryan." This isn't it, however. Despite the presence of a bunch of decent actors, the humdrum script and phlegmatic pace of this film make it a long, dull slog. Never quite believed Benjamin Bratt as a dynamic leader, much less the oddly disconnected "romance." (But I will say that the scenes of the actual raid are engrossing and well-done.)… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. Spriggangirl
    2
    I only watched the movie just to see Jackson! That was about it... Nothing else.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes

See all 36 User Reviews

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