I first learnt about the Japanese-American soldiers who fought the Germans in WW2 when I read James A. Michener's "Hawaii" around 1960.
Over the years I read a couple of history books about them, including "Facing the Mountain" by Daniel James Brown; I've also watched "Go For Broke" a number of times.
The script for "Go For Broke" covers key points about the internment of Japanese-Americans on mainland USA, and the difference between the men from Hawaii and those from the mainland, as well as how the 442nd Regimental Combat Team came about.
The film follows them to war in Italy then France. Six veterans played roles in the film. That alone makes it an interesting historical document.
However a chunk of running time is devoted to the semi-comical japes of Van Johnson's character Lt. Grayson. Although the filmmakers wanted to cover off the anti-racial attitudes towards Japanese-Americans, it's dealt with ponderously with Grayson going from bigoted to respectful while he yearns to re-join his pals in the 36th Texas Division.
Did the filmmakers feel that audiences wouldn't accept this story unless it was couched in silly bits of business like Van's interlude with the Italian signorina while his men move to the front?
The battle scenes only skim the surface of what these soldiers achieved.
One of their most impressive feats occurred after the events shown in the film. General Mark Clark specifically asked for their recall to Italy from France to break open the mountainous Gothic Line, which they did in a series of attacks that are probably still studied in war colleges today.
Where the film succeeds is in showing that these Japanese-American soldiers approached soldering with an American spirit as opposed to a Japanese one.
The Japanese Imperial Army in WW2 was one of the toughest most ruthless armies in modern history. Their Bushido Code advocated death over surrender. This often manifested itself in suicidal Banzai charges and contempt for prisoners.
"Go for Broke" shows that although the Nisei soldiers felt they had something to prove, and were formidable in battle, there was no thought of holding a grenade to their head if overrun or launching a hopeless charge simply to die. Their attitude was to fight to win, to fight for their unit and their comrades, but not just to die for the sake of it.
Maybe that's this movie's enduring legacy.
Over the years I read a couple of history books about them, including "Facing the Mountain" by Daniel James Brown; I've also watched "Go For Broke" a number of times.
The script for "Go For Broke" covers key points about the internment of Japanese-Americans on mainland USA, and the difference between the men from Hawaii and those from the mainland, as well as how the 442nd Regimental Combat Team came about.
The film follows them to war in Italy then France. Six veterans played roles in the film. That alone makes it an interesting historical document.
However a chunk of running time is devoted to the semi-comical japes of Van Johnson's character Lt. Grayson. Although the filmmakers wanted to cover off the anti-racial attitudes towards Japanese-Americans, it's dealt with ponderously with Grayson going from bigoted to respectful while he yearns to re-join his pals in the 36th Texas Division.
Did the filmmakers feel that audiences wouldn't accept this story unless it was couched in silly bits of business like Van's interlude with the Italian signorina while his men move to the front?
The battle scenes only skim the surface of what these soldiers achieved.
One of their most impressive feats occurred after the events shown in the film. General Mark Clark specifically asked for their recall to Italy from France to break open the mountainous Gothic Line, which they did in a series of attacks that are probably still studied in war colleges today.
Where the film succeeds is in showing that these Japanese-American soldiers approached soldering with an American spirit as opposed to a Japanese one.
The Japanese Imperial Army in WW2 was one of the toughest most ruthless armies in modern history. Their Bushido Code advocated death over surrender. This often manifested itself in suicidal Banzai charges and contempt for prisoners.
"Go for Broke" shows that although the Nisei soldiers felt they had something to prove, and were formidable in battle, there was no thought of holding a grenade to their head if overrun or launching a hopeless charge simply to die. Their attitude was to fight to win, to fight for their unit and their comrades, but not just to die for the sake of it.
Maybe that's this movie's enduring legacy.