Back to Bataan (1945)

In "Back to Bataan" (1945), the defense of the Philippines and its allied Southeast Asian colonies by the US Army hangs in the balance, with the pivotal fortress of Corregidor on Luzon island at its heart. However, the fortress succumbs to a powerful Japanese attack on May 6, 1942, forcing Colonel Joseph Madden and others to retreat. General Douglas MacArthur commands the survivors, including Madden, to form a formidable guerrilla force amidst the chaos. Madden encounters a populace willing to defy the Japanese vision of a paternalistic empire, but finds them largely civilian, untrained, and unfamiliar with the intricacies of warfare. He turns to the iconic anti-US freedom fighter, Captain Andrés Bonifácio, grandson of the legendary Andres Bonifácio, miraculously saved from a deadly POW march. Madden hopes to ignite the resistance with Bonifácio's fire and charisma, though the war effort remains uncertain and perilous. The Japanese, sensing the growing opposition, attempt to pacify the populace by staging a faux independence under Imperial Prince Ito. However, their deceit is exposed, fueling the bitterness of the fight. As the war tide begins to turn against Japan across the Pacific, the struggle in the Philippines only escalates, with the people's resolve strengthening against the oppressors. "Back to Bataan" captures this relentless fight for freedom, where the odds are stacked, the stakes are high, and the spirit of resistance stands unbroken.

Back to Bataan is an action movie featuring John Wayne.

Back to Bataan is currently streaming on TCM.

It is also possible to buy Back to Bataan on Amazon Video, Apple TV, DIRECTV, Google Play Movies, Vudu and YouTube.