Go For Broke! (1951)
A tribute to the U.S. 442nd Regimental Combat Team, formed in 1943 by Presidential permission with Japanese-American volunteers. We follow the training of a platoon under the rueful command of Lt. Mike Grayson who shares common prejudices of the time. The 442nd serve in Italy, then France, distinguishing themselves in skirmishes and battles; gradually and naturally, Grayson's prejudices evaporate with dawning realization that his men are better soldiers than he is. Not preachy.
The HEROES of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team
Narrator: [voiceover] Battle honors. By order of the Secretary of War, in the name of the President of the United States, as public evidence of deserved honor and distinction, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team is cited for outstanding accomplishment in combat. The gallantry and espirit de corps displayed by their officers and men in bitter action against a formidable enemy exemplify the finest traditions of the armed forces of the United States.
Riverside County, California, USA
Idyllwild, California, USA
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA
Several of the main characters were played by actual members of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team depicted in the film. The men saw action with the outfit in Italy and France.
Twenty-one Medals of Honor were awarded to members of the 442 RCT.
Even though the 442nd Regimental Combat Team is the most decorated unit in US Army history, there is only one brief--VERY brief--scene of President Harry S. Truman pinning a medal on a soldier's chest, with no ceremony or dialogue. There is also an earlier reference, almost a throwaway line, by Lt. Grayson (Van Johnson) about awarding a soldier a medal.
Bakatare -a word heard many times during the movie -is a Japanese word for "stupid" or "foolish."
The network television premiere was in 1979 on CBS, 28 years after premiering in theaters, possibly the longest interlude between theaters and television of any major movie since the advent of national broadcast television.
Factual errors
Railroad freight cars in French village are American style four axle types. European railroads use two axle freight cars.
When the unit is sent to rescue the Lost Battalion, they are clearing a path for the tank that is to be brought up to give support. When the tank finally arrives, it is an M24 Chaffee Light Tank. The mission to rescue the Lost Battalion occurred between Oct. 26 - 30, 1944; the M24 did not arrive in France until November 1944.
Revealing mistakes
When Lt Grayson formally reports to his regimental commander at Camp Shelby, he performs a complete salute before the commander even begins his. Proper procedure would be for Grayson to bring his salute up, wait for his commander to complete a full salute and then return his arm to his side.
Lt Grayson salutes his company commander while they are on the front lines in Italy. In reality, troops do not salute while at the front, since this identifies officers and makes them likely targets for the enemy.
In Italy, Lt Grayson's troops are fired on by two German soldiers positioned behind a broken wall on a high bluff. But rather than crouching behind the wall for maximum cover, they are standing. This makes them easy targets for Grayson's soldiers. Real snipers would have kept as low as possible behind the wall for maximum protection.
During the fire fight in the ancient ruins, a 61 mm mortar is set up behind a high stone wall. Had they been real rounds, they would have hit the wall above the soldiers' heads because the angle of the mortar was not great enough to allow the rounds to clear the wall.
While Lt Grayson is observing his troops running the obstacle course during training, there is a pouch for two .45-caliber pistol magazines on his belt. Yet he is not carrying a pistol or any other weapon.