MovieChat Forums > 'Gung Ho!': The Story of Carlson's Makin Island Raiders (1943) Discussion > 'Gung Ho is a fine film'

'Gung Ho is a fine film'

posted 17 years ago by shotgunnergauge5150
12 replies | jump to latest

I was first introduced to this film as a young boy of aprox.12yrs.or so.It was back in the early days of VHS.My father bought a copy that I watched many times.My father was a veteran of both W.W.2&Korea.One must understand that sure this movie has racial sterotypes,but one must understand the era and at that time in American history that`s the way it was.When Randolph Scott first speaks to those attempting to become raiders he emphasizes that they must let go of any racism or biogatry towards one another.The axis powers were our enemy then,and yes that included Japan.W.W.2 was a war the U.S.avoided untill we were attacked by the forces of Japan.This movie stands as a testament of that era.It stands as a film of America`s reaction in the early years of our entrance of W.W.2.This movie is a quick one which comes from it being so fast paced.This movie holds good memories of my father as well as my youth,and the times we shared,and the greatfullness of my fathers service and those world wide who helped to win the second world war.In my opinion this is J.Carol Naish`s finest performance.In my opinion he practicaly steals the film.Randolph Scott is very good as well fatherly in fact to his men,but Naish is the heart and soul.A good film for those interested in seeing a very lean,young Robert Mitchum.All in all give this movie a try.It`s not long,and it`s very entertaining for those interested in war films.The fighting scenes are good and memorable.It`s a good look at the feel of America in the early years of our entrance into W.W.2.......-Bruce R. Bundy

[–] PACman66 16 years ago

Yes it was a very good film! A film that could NEVER be made again in the age of "PC or Die". "Why do you want to fight?" "Cause I hate Japs!" Lol! Everything was so black & white back then (not to mention the movies!)
But it was fun to watch. I would like to see Hollywood do a "pro-American" movie like this.. Do they make these or are they all "America is the Devil of the World" movies?

Trust me,
Swan

[–] Pharaoh-in-de-Nile 9 years ago

Well you "anti-PC" people would probably see Carlson as PC if he were around today and you knew him, he was in fact a card-carrying Communist!

[–] dannieboy20906 9 years ago

I don't think he carried a card or registered to vote Communist. I suspect that he would not.

He did go into northern China and was entirely convinced that the Chinese Communists knew the right way to fight a guerilla war. I think that history has shown a pretty strong support for that point of view.

Col. Carlson was very controversial due to his ideas on training his Marine Raiders. My take on it is that they did not know what would work best, so they created four battalions with four very different leaders and allowed them to each organize and train their own way. Then they put them together into one regiment to see how they would blend and to see if their experiment revealed the best techniques or the best combination of techniques.

Along the way, a well developed and deeply felt hatred of the enemy was viewed as an asset rather than as a liability. I think that is still a good idea, but my primary enemy is nature and it is difficult to hate her or argue with her. I preach a diplomatic approach while trying to stave off the worst effects of her excesses.

[–] ContinentalOp 8 years ago

I don't think he carried a card or registered to vote Communist. I suspect that he would not.

Why? Because it doesn't fit with your probably right-wing or liberal view of a US marine officer? Well, sorry to burst your bubble, but military men can support any politics. Carlson was an extreme left-winger who supported Chinese Communist for more reason than guerilla warfare!!!

Carlson was a member of the Communist part seemingly:

From the Institute of Pacific Relations categorization is as follows (page 152):

Identified as a member of the Communist Party by one or more duly sworn witnesses.

Made one or more trips to Communist territory.

Deceased.

Affiliated with: Amerasia (exhibit 1355). Committee for a Democratic Far Eastern Policy (pp. 4610-4611).

According to James Roosevelt (a friend of Evans F. Carlson), he actually did run for governorship of California on a Communist party ticket. This may be false but Roosevelt clearly believed it (and stated that Carlson's wife was a member of the Communist party too), most likely because he knew that Carlson was a communist by support if not membership. People who state ''he wouldn't support the Communist Party'' are just deluding themselves. They give no real reason to why he wouldn't. It is far more likely that he would than he wouldn't, to be rather frank.

Either way, he was a leftist hero and would be deemed ''PC'' by the right, as Pharaoh stated.

Formerly KingAngantyr

[–] hailebear2002 15 years ago

Not much of a message board but I had to comment. I purchased this movie in a 20 war film pack for $5 at Walmart. I haven't watched them all but my favorites so far are Gung Ho and A Walk in the Sun. Gung Ho was packed with patriotism and action...a really good war movie. What was funny was they credited Robert Mitchum as starring in Aerial Gunner, when he was in it all of 30 seconds. I felt let down until I saw Gung Ho and another great character "Pigiron" brought to life by Mr. Mitchum. Not bad for 25 cents a movie.

Merry Christmas ya filthy animal.

[–] polsixe 10 years ago

Mitchum was in another bit part, in K225. That was also a Randolph Scott epic, about the RCN and Atlantic Corvettes.

[–] Xcalat3 14 years ago

a fine film with a long ass title

7/10

When there's no more room in hell, The dead will walk the earth...

[–] DD-931 13 years ago

For a "racist" film this movie is pretty complimentary to the Chinese. Also makes clear it was a Filipino Marine who taught the others their knife skills.

[–] pgharett-676-553123 8 years ago

I've never seen it before, and I'm 14 minutes in. Is it called "racist" because of the word "Jap"? Animosity back then to Japanese was because of Pearl Harbor, and later because of the Bataan death march and other Japanese atrocities. They attacked us and were allies of Hitler and Mussolini. This was a propaganda movie made to boost morale at home and among the soldiers.

[–] wtl471629 10 years ago

It is a good movie. And Randolph Scott's speech at the end is terrific.

[–] rmcap965-982-388208 10 years ago

Racist my ass.....in Nam the NVA were *beep* and so were the South Vietnamese in fact so were the ROK army *beep* don't remember any in my outfit complain at the use of the word...

[–] sandcrab277 8 years ago

yes, no expense was spared, except the depth charges the jap planes dropped via torpedo planes...every sub movie has these depth charge scenes cut in for effect...i got to laughing so hard i had to quit watching...every movie has its gimmicks