Anyone who loves movies based on actual events will find The Great Raid a thrilling and inspiring drama. The story is based on a daring exploit that liberated more than 500 U.S. Prisoners of War incarcerated from the Bataan Death March in 1942.

“The rescue was one of the most spectacular rescue missions ever to take place in American history,” said director John Dahl (Joy Ride). Based on two books, The Great Raid on Cabanatuan by military historian William B. Breuer and Ghost Soldiers by Hampton Sides, this gripping film highlights the heroism earned by a small band of American soldiers who participated in this incredible WW II rescue operation.  

As the film opens, it’s been three years since the Japanese Imperial Army imprisoned the 500 soldiers, the only survivors of the 70,000 American and Allied forces held captive, following the departure of General MacArthur from the Philippines.

Lieutenant Colonel Henry A. Mucci (Benjamin Bratt) at the 6th Army Headquarters in nearby Luzon, is aware that 150 U.S. soldiers at near-by camp Palawan were forced into trenches, doused in gasoline and set on fire. He’s determined to rescue the POWs at Cabanatuan, even though his men are heavily outnumbered.

Mucci assigns Captain Robert Prince (James Franco from  Spider-Man) to lead the raid. While he and Mucci often disagree about the plan, Mucci knows that Prince is a brilliant military man. They recruit members of the Filipino resistance, led by Captain Juan Pajota (Cesar Montano), who becomes a valuable resource to the troops.

Mucci loves a good challenge, and Bratt (Catwoman) plays him perfectly -- often so convinced his way is the only way, but clever enough to know when to give in.

At the prison, Major Gibson (Joseph Fiennes) is weakened by malaria but determined that his men will survive. He risks his life over and over when he smuggles in medicines from Margaret (Connie Nielsen), a Catholic aid worker who has been assisting the Filipino Underground. Margaret and Gibson are actually in love with each other, but unable to do anything about their feelings in their present situation.

Sick and malnourished Gibson is one step from the grave, but he refuses to give up. Joseph Fiennes (Shakespeare in Love) -- who lost a lot of weight under a doctor’s supervision in order to play this key role -- is remarkable in his portrayal of Gibson. His character’s human resilience and long-lasting hope are vividly and genuinely brought to the screen.

The Great Raid is not the typical John Dahl story, but he had an intimate connection to the story. His father, a World War II soldier, participated in the liberation of the Philippines. “My father fought in the Philippines so I was immediately attracted to the story,” says Dahl.  “But it also seemed to me that this was a really important untold story from World War II that had been shuffled to the back pages and ultimately forgotten. What I really liked about this movie is that it reveals that freedom often comes with a price of sacrifice. And I also think it shows how our country has been able in the times of greatest need to really go deep and overcome huge obstacles. We did it in Cabanatuan and we will do it again when needed in the future.” 

Most people who see this film will be awed by the performances and spellbound by the depth of its story.

(Released by Miramax Films and rated “R” for strong war violence and brief language.)

Read Diana Saenger’s reviews of classic films at http://classicfilm.about.com.