John T. Ryan FOLLOWING ON THE heels of the successes of Frank J. Schaffner's epic story of "Old Blood & Guts" in PATTON (20th Century-Fox, 1970), one could easily come to the conclusion that MAC ARTHUR (Universal, 1977) was imitating a Hollywood trend. That was our mistaken notion up until very recently. We finally screened the movie and discovered our folly.ADMITTEDLY THERE WERE a few carryovers from the George C. Scott tour-de-force (most notably Producer Frank McCarthy and the original score by Composer Jerry Goldsmith), but that's about how far it goes. The two films bore little in common outside of their both belonging to the same category of Epic Military Biographies. THE PROBLEMS IN storytelling called for a different approach for MAC ARTHUR as the period of time was much longer and more diverse than was the earlier film. In PATTON, we follow about 3 years in a career that lasted over 35 years. It begins with his assuming Command of II Corps following the disastrous Battle of Kasserine Pass in Tunisia. It ends with the aftermath of V.E. Day; ending the War in Europe.THE TIMELINE OF the production of MAC ARTHUR called for the earliest days of the War in the Pacific, with General Douglas Mac Arthur's being the Supreme Allied Commander in the Philippines. It extends its timeline through the end of the War and up to the Korean War of 1950-53.IT WAS THE conduct of the General in disregarding the orders from President Harry S. Truman that led to his being demoted and brought home; albeit to great heaping of a Hero's welcome. (THat included an address before a joint session of the Senate and the House of Representatives.*)OTHER THAN THESE above mentioned factors, the film MAC ARTHUR was a first class, non copycat production that stands on its own two feet. Its filming locations, military equipment & personnel were very convincing and accurate. The Battle scenes are convincing and did expertly weave in some newsreel footage. The production team really made the viewer feel that he was there. WE MUST BE sure to pay proper homage and respect to the ensemble cast for acting they provided, that includes all support people. As for the lead role of Douglass Mac Arthur, he did his best to "become" the man he was portraying. The inclusion of not one but two Presidents was handled with the greatest skill. Both Dan O'Herlihy (Franklin D. Roosevelt) and Ed Flanders (Harry S. Truman) filled out their roles to the ultimate level.NOTE * We feel a particular fondness for this film as this writer (John T. Ryan) as a preschool youngster of about 4 1/2 years old, witnessed the famous "Old soldiers never die, they just fade away !" speech of April 19, 1951. It was on our recently purchased Du Mont Television set. My Mother (Bertha Fuerst Ryan) explained who and what the General was to me. It's one of my earliest recollections and very vivid over 67 years later. Thanks Ma !

SimonJack Gregory Peck lends an air of authenticity as Gen. Douglas MacArthur in this film. "MacArthur" covers the apex of the career of one of the most famous American wartime commanders. Gen. MacArthur, like Gen. George S. Patton, was one of the few outspoken commanders in wartime whose views and comments often clashed with those of their leaders or the President. Without exception, these outspoken generals were excellent military commanders, brilliant tacticians, very well read and knowledgeable about their enemies, and insightful about the future. This film takes us from the start of World War II to Pres. Harry S. Truman's removal of Gen. MacArthur from his command during the Korean War. It's interesting that the film doesn't come right out and say that MacArthur is being sacked. Probably many of the younger generations by the end of the 20th century wouldn't know that piece of history, if they even know much about MacArthur. As a biopic, the film's focus is more on MacArthur's military strategy and political savvy, than on his wartime command. So, it has just small segments of combat here and there. On that score, it doesn't equal the military biopic, "Patton." Still, this is a very good film about one of the great military minds and leaders of America. A broadcast reporter is on the scene for the New York ticker tape parade (April 2, 1951) given for Gen. MacArthur on his return to America. The reporter says, "I've never seen anything like it. The entire city has come out to celebrate the return of America's greatest hero. Officials estimate from 7 to 10 million people are here on hand, and that surpasses Lindberg and Eisenhower's homecomings put together."A favorite scene is in the retaking of the Philippines. MacArthur is in a jeep going to check the front lines. A corporal stops him at the front lines and says the only thing ahead is a forward patrol. MacArthur tells the driver to proceed. The corporal says, "I don't believe it. That's the first I've ever seen a commander-in-chief take the point." And, another GI near him says, "Yeah, he's the greatest general since Sergeant York."In the film, MacArthur talks to the press, and he addresses the U.S. Congress and the cadets at West Point. Here are some quotes. For more, see the Quotes section on the IMDb Web page for this film.Gen. MacArthur, "How did Shakespeare put it? A general's wife is the general's general." Gen. MacArthur, "I requested permission to bomb the Yangtze bridges to keep the Chinese out of Korea. They said, 'You might bomb the southern half of the bridges only.' In my 50 years of military service, I have never learned how to bomb half a bridge."Gen. MacArthur, "For the first time in military history, a commander has been denied the use of his military power to safeguard the lives of his soldiers and the safety of the Army. It leaves me with a sense of irrepressible… shock." Gen. MacArthur, on appeasement in Korea, "This isn't war. It's half war. It's an immoral compromise with evil." In response to a question from the press about Korea, Gen. MacArthur says, "I couldn't substitute my policy for Mr. Truman's, because Mr. Truman doesn't have a policy."Gen. MacArthur, to the U.S. Congress, "But once war has been forced upon us, there is no other alternative than to apply every available means to bring it to a swift end. War's very objective is victory, not prolonged indecision. In war, there can be no substitute for victory. For history teaches us, with unmistakable emphasis, that appeasement but begets new and bloodier war. Like blackmail, it lays the basis for new and increasingly greater demands until, as in blackmail, violence becomes the only alternative." Gen. MacArthur, "The magnificence and the courage and fortitude of the Korean people defies description. They have chosen to risk death rather than slavery." Gen. MacArthur, "I still remember the refrain of one of the most popular barrack ballads of that day… 'Old soldiers never die, they just fade away.'" Mrs. MacArthur on Dwight Eisenhower's GOP nomination for president in 1952, "What kind of president do you think he's gonna make?" Gen. MacArthur, "I think he'll make a fine president. He was the best clerk who ever served under me." Gen. MacArthur, to the West Point cadets, "Today marks my final roll call with you. I want you to know that when I cross the river, my last conscious thoughts will be of the corps… and the corps… and the corps. I bid you farewell."

thinker1691 At the beginning of World War II, when the Japanese invaded the Phillipines, nearly 70,000 U.S and Filipino soldiers were taken captive, Gen. Douglas MacArthur the area commander, was taken out of harms way and awarded the Medal of honor. General Jonathan Wainwright who was taken prisoner by the enemy and forced to endure three brutal years in a P.O.W. camp did not. (He finally received it after the war despite MacArthur's disapproval) This movie is a Bio-pic of MacArthur (Gregory Peck) who is depicted as both a military figure as well as an administrator of Japan, after the war. Throughout his career he carved out both an impressive and imposing military figure as well as a controversial voice which many people admired. In conflict with President Harry S. Truman (Ed Flanders) over his decisions in Korea, the flamboyant general eventually was forced to retire. Although, having initial misgivings about his character, Gregory Peck nevertheless grudgingly came to respect the man. Today as then, the general has many admirers as well as detractors. For what it's worth, his last words resonate in the halls of West Point. A good film and one which is considered a classic by many military fans. Dan O'Herlihy does a superb job as President Franklin D. Roosevelt. ****

Nazi_Fighter_David The film transported everyone back to October 20, 1944 where we seemed to be part of the great Philippine 'I Shall Return' landing scene… It was on that Leyte shore where General MacArthur reaped his fame… Above all, Gregory Peck triumphed in his portrayal of the great general… It is the stride, the set of the shoulders, the intensity… It's what both men have had in common: intensity, total absorption, devotion… With MacArthur it was for the military… With Peck it was for the challenge of acting… An Academy Award winner for "To Kill a Mockinbird", an Oscar nominee for "Keys to the Kingdom", "The Yearling", "Gentleman's Agreement", and "Twelve O'Clock High"—he has played everything from an apparently homicidal amnesiac to a crusading journalist; from a troubled gunfighter to an obsessed attorney; from biblical David to Captain Horatio Hornblower… He has brought to them all his own unique insight, his character, his sincerity, warmth and love, and especially, his humor… There is a scene where 'MacArthur' stands on deck with the 'President of the Philippines.' We can hear the dialogue: "General, I hope the water isn't too deep," says the 'President,' "because my people will find out I can't swim." Then come Peck's sonorous voice: "And my people are going to find that I can't walk on water!" As "MacArthur," Peck once again justified his reputation as a giant in the film industry… Through him we felt MacArthur's emotions: we knew his anger, his happiness and we understood the relationship with his whole family