User reviews

Robert Pirosh wrote his own picture and did a wonderful job of directing it, and 'Go for Broke!', his tribute to Japanese-American volunteers fighting in World War II, is deftly executed with a nice blend of pulse-quickening action and more thought-provoking interludes where white Lieutenant Grayson (Van Johnson), originally prejudiced against the people he is assigned to command, gradually learns to come to terms with the fact that bravery and patriotism are irrelevant to your race or the color of your skin.

That could all be a little too rhetorical for its own good, but Pirosh never over-stresses his point, and his picture is never holier-than-thou. "You see, Sir, I'm from Texas", Grayson says to his superior, but Pirosh lets it go at that and doesn't lash out against Southern bigotry. I really liked the gentle irony of Pirosh' contrasting the idyllic, outdated guidebooks to Italy and France that Grayson reads with the prosaic reality of war-torn countries.

Japanese-Americans serving in the U.S. army during World War 11 is the central theme of this film. How ironic that this occurred while we were placing other Japanese-Americans in internment camps during this period.

Van Johnson harbors prejudice as he chosen to shape these recruits up. While he runs into difficulty with top brass, he does his job well.

He comes to understand and appreciate his men. When he meets up with his old Texas regiment, he fights someone for passing an anti-Japanese remark.

The Japanese players do a good job of showing that their true spirits were with the U.S.

A totally satisfying film depicting the human spirit.

Most people know about the imprisonment of many Japanese Americans in camps during World War II, however, relatively few know the history of involvement by Japanese Americans in World War II. The 442nd Regimental Combat Team was sanctioned by Franklin Delano Roosevelt and consisted of Japanese American volunteers. These faithful Americans came to the military for many different reasons, and this film does a wonderful job of illustrating the diversity within the team as well as their courageous dedication to service despite the adverse conditions they and their families faced in an America at war with their ancestral homeland.

This adversity is personified in the character of Lieutenant Grayson (Van Johnson) - a tall, blond, Texan with a bad attitude about working with what he calls "Japs". Though Grayson's story arc is not really very surprising, it is thoroughly believable. The excellent Oscar-nominated Robert Porash script, solid editing and directing, and Johnson's nice performance make his portrayal of the archetypal understated Texan quite excellent. I can say this because I am a Texas-ex - though you never really get the place out of your heart.

For once, the minority is less stereotyped than the Northern European-American males! The Japanese-American actors are all excellent, and are the real stars of this film.

I agree with the vast majority of reviews published here on IMDb about this significant and entertaining film. Go For Broke is a war film which very nicely explores human behavior, American social reality and ethics but also commemorates and celebrates the triumph of humanity in adverse situations.

Recommended!

I have watched GO FOR BROKE several times and will do so again at random. It irritates me that I was unaware that we had Japanese American troops fighting in Italy and France until I encountered the technical adviser of GO FOR BROKE at Tyler Junior College in 1977. He was my English teacher, having retired from the Army. Very significant in his army career was his time with the Nisei whom he trained at Camp Shelby, Mississippi and went on to the war in Europe with them. He was heart broken over the deaths of so many of his valiant warriors. He said they had saved his life over and over during battle. Sometime later one of the Japanese Americans, Jack Wakamatsu, wrote a book "Silent Warriors" about their experiences. I could not find it locally so contacted the author after finding him on internet. We had several conversations during the three years of acquaintance. He was on the set when GO FOR BROKE was being filmed. He told me that the red headed Texan portrayed by Van Johnson was in real life the technical adviser. Fictitious names were used in the movie. Both the technical adviser and Jack Wakamatsu are now dead. I feel that Van Johnson would be interested in what became of them and I would like to contact him. I have no idea how. GO FOR BROKE is my favorite of Van Johnson movies. I wish there could be a follow up of the lives of those brave Nisei, those fortunate enough to survive, that is. All too many are buried at Epinal near Bruyeres, France not far from where they rescued the surrounded Texas 36th Battalion.

With tomorrow being Memorial Day, I decided to finally watch this movie about the 442nd regiment consisting of Japanese-American soldiers who volunteered in order to escape the internment camps their families were sent to after Pearl Harbor. Van Johnson is their superior officer who initially isn't crazy about leading them since he's from Texas and wants to go with the regiment consisting of men from his background, not to mention skin color. I'll stop there and just say that while there were some exciting battle scenes and some gently humorous ones as well, I didn't think the script spent enough time with Johnson and his Asian-American men in showing how he gradually came to admire and like them. At least not in the natural way I expected as part of me seemed to think the transition seemed abrupt when he met with one of his Texas-bred colleagues who expressed his prejudices more blatantly causing him to punch him. Maybe I was thinking too much of that scene as I did find touching many of those men's situations especially the one with the pig he kept for a pet. And there is a rousing sense of pride in seeing everyone, regardless of skin color or culture, banding together to fight for the common good. So on that note, Go for Broke! gets a recommendation from me.

The Oscar-winning writer and cameraman of MGM's blockbuster depiction of The Battle of the Bulge, 'Battleground' were reunited in Italy two years later to return to the war, with Robert Pirosh this time directing too with results that were satisfactory enough for Pirosh's script to get another Oscar nomination.

Van Johnson is surprisingly good as the Texan who becomes more human as the film progresses and learns to overcome his racist inclinations and to respect his little Japanese-American comrades in arms. The best performance is probably given by a cute pig, but there's also the bonus of a young Gianna Canale in her only appearance in a Hollywood movie as the obligatory glamorous local signorina.

"Go For Broke!" is a rather standard film about war made during the post-war era with one exception...it's about the racism felt by some American soldiers towards the Japanese-American soldiers. In this case, the company commander, Lt. Grayson (Van Johnson) hates these men simply because of their national heritage. Through the course of the film, he slowly comes to the realization that they are not only excellent soldiers but excellent people. It is enjoyable and a decent film.

A few observations about the film. First, the little 'Italian' boy obviously wasn't Italian when he said thanks....the pronunciation was all wrong. Second, the German officer surrendering to the troops was played by John Banner...Sgt. Schultz from "Hogan's Heroes". He's a lot skinnier here but the voice is easy to recognize! Additionally, Van Johnson surprised me a bit, as his role was pretty thankless playing a bigot...and I applaud him for doing it.

Being a third generation Japanese-American (Sansei), and having my parents interned in the camps, this movie has a special place in my heart. Robert Pirosh did an incredible job in getting so much information about the Japanese- American situation: the camps, the differences between the Hawaiian and State- side Japanese (Kotonks and Kanakas), the different views of the war and even using a Japanese curse word as a password! I was so impressed and pleased with the results.

The movie follows the exploits of the 442, the first all-Nisei (Japanese- American) Regimental combat team in WWII. In early 1942, all the Japanese- Americans in California, Seattle, Oregon and Hawaii were uprooted from their homes and put into camps. All the volunteers were from the 10 internment camps throughout the western states. They felt that this was the only way to prove to the U. S. that they were as patriotic as anybody else, in fact most of them were American Citizens! Since they had nothing to lose, but their lives, their motto was "GO FOR BROKE!" and that's what they did. They are today the most decorated battalion in the history of the U.S. military and proved something that they shouldn't have to be proved, that they were Americans!

Van Johnson is used as the "white man" foil, to show how the rest of the country looked at the Japanese-American, and he does a great job. He starts off as a bigot, but as he begins to understand and respect his troops, he becomes one of them. There's a funny scene where one of his men call him "BAKATARE",

which is a curse word close to "Damn, stupid...." and tells him that the soldier is being very polite, he's bowing as he says this. This film has everything: humor, action, great characters and... truth!

GO FOR BROKE! is a standard WW2 B-movie with an interesting basis: it tells of a platoon of Japanese-American troops fighting on the side of America against Nazi Germany during the war. Inevitably this is based on a true story and covers an aspect of the conflict that you don't really hear much about these days.

Van Johnson plays the platoon's lieutenant, initially sceptical and rather racist when he hears about his new unit, but gradually developing a grudging form of respect for his men. The Asian actors are all fine, sympathetic, and convincing in their parts. The battle scenes are quite low rent and not always convincing, but they're delivered with enough gusto to make them entertaining.

I have known about this film since I was young, but it was not until a "dull drab army day" overseas did I actually get to view it. I was impressed with the film. It was nice to see a film from the 1950's talk about ethnic/race relations in a positive way. I thought the message that World War Two was a war for all Americans was good. The film showed that it didn't matter what ethnicity, race, or creed you are, freedom is for all, that all discrimination is barbarism and immoral. It was really encouraging to see the Lieutenant's change of heart and mind by the end of the film. I also, thought it was good that the film was not preachy. Some of the light humor was also well done. Overall I would recommend this film to anybody. This film is based on true events and true people. I would like to thank all those men and women who served our nation in that war. All gave some, and some gave all. This film was a tribute to one group of soldiers that many have not heard of.

A humorous look at the war through the experiences of the the highly decorated Japanese American 442nd Regiment, with a realistic cast and Van Johnson walking well through his part as a prejudiced platoon leader who comes to respect his men not just for their valor but for their ingenuity and constantly positive attitudes in the face of hostility from the enemy as well as many at home and the forced internments of their families. Though all of that is hinted at, the film maintains a snappy brightness throughout, even in the battle scenes, where everyone has a can-do perspective on how to take out those pesky machine gun nests. If the film has any drawback it's that there is no dark side, no real tension in the battle scenes nor in the issue of racism. It's contentedness to portray the real meat and bones issues of life and death combat and racism in a light and humorous manner cuts both ways, because this film steps so lightly it doesn't convey much of the hell of war nor the ugliness of racism, but its carried along by intelligence, wit, and wholesome old-fashioned Hollywood patriotism.

Although somewhat conventional in comparison to most of the great WWII film dramas, Go For Broke remains important as the only Hollywood acknowledgement of the 442nd, and the bravery of the Japanese-Americans who fought with it.

One of my grandfather's brothers was in the 442nd himself, and can still recall tales of basic training and serving in Italy.

I am bothered, however, by the fact that the cover on the video box does not show a single Japanese-American face, and the description does not really explain the historical significance of the events portrayed.

Hey Ted Turner, get your guys together and rectify this problem!

Dwight Sora

Director/writer Robert Pirosh brings a provocative and enlightening war story to the screen. Based on true events, this action drama filters in light comedy and is very interesting from beginning to end. The story line has a unique twist to it. Van Johnson plays the commander of a special unit made up of American-Japanese soldiers defending American freedom in Europe. Their patriotism is admirable; they are modest heros while their families back home are suffering racism.

Johnson has turned in stronger work, but is very natural in this role. Also turning in very good performances are Lane Nakano, Henry Nakamura and Don Haggerty. This is a WWII flick fan's delight.

I am torn about reviewing Go for Broke! As a positive "propaganda" film it is great. Yet as a film production it is somewhat dated, primarily because of the excessive earnestness and rah-rah storytelling it used. That was predominant in 1940s-50s war films, but has aged badly. One of the very positive aspects of these techniques is that the character development is great, with the individual personalities of the soldiers and officers shining through. This was one of the earliest, and still one of the best, works of art to set the record straight about the then-underreported success of the Japanese-American citizens who fought in the European theatre during WWII while their familes were mostly interred.

Excellent but now overlooked movie about WWII that shows the history of the Japanese-American segregated Army units who fought in Europe in WWII. From today's perspective, a viewer will note the careful line the producers walked between portraying the racism in the US and making a movie that would still be palatable to white Americans.

I mention "Ganbatte" above because that is the word I learned when living in Japan that kept coming into my mind as I watched this movie. Here is an excerpt I found at the yabai website that explains: "Ganbatte", along with its many variations, is a word dearly loved by the Japanese community. Its essence revolves around the concept of never giving up no matter how hard the challenges may be. This general idea of perseverance is ingrained in almost every individual in Japan practically from the day they are born and lives within them until their last breath."

Not being Japanese, I cannot say whether this phrase was used in the Nisei community in Hawaii and California, but it seems to fit perfectly the attitude of the men of the 100th/442nd.

I recommend reading about the 100th/442nd after watching the film so that you can understand the controversies that surrounded its treatment by the Army beginning with the context after Pearl Harbor, its formation, its leadership, its performance under fire, and its casualty levels.

The history of the 100th/442nd deserves a new film that can more openly portray their struggles, but don't miss your chance to see this film, which I highly recommend.

Van Johnson who was MGM's all American GI in many a World War II film, co-stars with a bunch of veterans from 442 Division which was a regiment made up of Japanese-Americans who chose this over internment in the various camps set up for them. The most distinguished member of this regiment is current United States Senator Daniel K. Inouye who lost an arm in Italy during that campaign.

After training the 442nd was assigned to Italy after the Salerno landings, took part in the campaign for Rome, and then was part of the invasion force into Southern France that occurred in August of 1944.

Johnson delivers a fine performance of an officer who is reluctant to soldier and train with this new outfit. His prejudices, honed to a fine edge by Pearl Harbor, weren't exactly atypical of a lot of Americans back then. Over time, he grows to appreciate his troops as men and as fighters.

Having all of those Nisei veterans lends a real ring of authenticity to this film. A few non-veterans were in this as well. Henry Nakamura played Tommy who adopted a pet pig in Italy and bought him to France and he was the comic relief. He made quite a hit and then was in the Robert Taylor western, Westward the Women. I guess he had limited typecasting potential because he disappeared after that.

This is a story of World War II that bears constant retelling and MGM made a fine film to do it with.

This film begins in 1943 with a newly commissioned officer by the name of "Lieutenant Michael Grayson" (Van Johnson) reporting for duty at Camp Shelby, Mississippi with the firm expectation that he will be assigned to his old unit from Texas as it prepares for deployment overseas. He reports, however, he is greatly disappointed to learn that he has been assigned the position of platoon leader in a company solely comprised of a group of Japanese Americans instead. Not only that, but it soon becomes quite apparent that he nurses some racial animus towards them, and this complicates matters for everyone concerned. Now, rather than reveal any more, I will just say that this was an okay World War 2 movie which benefited to a great degree from the fact that it showed an aspect of the war that many Americans may not realize. Likewise, the fact that it also highlighted the bigotry that was partially inflamed by the American government itself, is also quite noteworthy. Be that as it may, while I don't consider this to be a bad film by any means, I was somewhat disappointed by the shallow character development given to the Japanese American soldiers overall. That said, however, the film is still worth a watch for those viewers who might be interested, and I have rated it accordingly. Average.

This little-known film is an interesting dramatic study of real life Japanese-Americans who volunteered to fight for their country despite the interment of their families back in the 'States. Their amazing heroism and patriotism is shown in contrast to the rascism and general mistrust they are shown by white members of the US army that they encounter. Racial issues such as their treatment compared to German-Americans or Italian-Americans are dealt with, but not in a heavy handed way. The dialogue is surprisingly believable and interesting, and even amusing. The battle sequences are good but nothing like Saving Private Ryan - this is a 1950s film, after all. All WWII film buffs should make a point of seeing this film, which sometimes appears on the History Channel.

One of the best War movies I have ever seen. Everyone no matter what age should watch this one. Yes I will highly recommend it. James E. Welch Henderson Arkansas 4/10/2022.

Tepid account of Japanese-Americans fighting alongside their colleague allies against the Germans in WWII. Van Johnson is a military liaison lieutenant responsible for merging the unpopular, yet patriotic soldiers with the regular divisions. Predictably, they succeed in taking an important military post from the Germans in a bloody battle in the Ardennes.

While there's glimpses of a routine war flick, it's frequently punctuated by long discourses on racial prejudice and otherwise political jingoism of the most shameless kind. Johnson is typically likable as the by-the-book uniform who marches his ragtag bunch of cultural misfits into GI Joe exemplars. His rapport with his men leads him to defend them in the face of racial and cultural discrimination, even to the extent he'll beat one of his own mates black & blue for uttering the slur "Jap". He plays the congenial moralist well, but the contrasts are so blatant, that the film comes off looking like a defence recruitment promotion (the largely unknown cast doesn't add anything in quality either).

Some of the battle scenes are hardy and well staged (the Irish-Japanese-American O'Hara eats a flying pine tree in one of the more imaginative battle deaths) and the title expression "Go For Broke" is given a run as such you won't soon forget the name of the film. But that's not the same as memorable content, and this, in my opinion, has little to recommend.