Marine Raiders

The jungle battle scenes in opening of this film incorporate an atmosphere one usually finds in film noir. The portrayal of Guadalcanal and the related background music tend in this direction, which was not found in many of the war movies of 1944. Special credit should be given to the director of lighting, especially relative to the deep three-dimensional effect created with the interplay of light and dark.

The last film Robert Ryan made at RKO before he temporarily quit movies for the real thing. It benefits from photography by later film noir maestro Nicholas Musuraca, with whom Ryan would work again under more auspicious circumstances (and also contains a fleeting appearance by Martha MacVickers, soon to play psychotic nympho Carmen Sternwood in 'The Big Sleep').

Although Pat O'Brien's officially the star it's Ryan who carries the film, and it was already clear he was no ordinary hunk.

Sometimes it's hard to keep track of all the pro-America war movies Hollywood cranked out during the height of WWII. A lot of them had similar names, too! Pride of the Marines, Salute to the Marines, Marine Raiders, Call Out the Marines, We Are the Marines, and maybe more, were all made between 1942 and 1945. The one in the middle of the list stars Pat O'Brien as a commander who oversees training leading up to battle in Guadalcanal. He and his captain, Robert Ryan, aren't thrilled about taking all the new boys under their wing. They want to get to the fighting - but as we all know, there will be plenty of time for that.

Although the main focus of the movie is the Marines, honestly, the romance is more memorable. I never thought I'd see the movie where Robert Ryan leads a gusto-filled waltz. But in Marine Raiders, he dances with Ruth Hussey until the restaurant owner kicks them out in the wee hours of the morning. Robert grins, "We've got a lot more swirling to do!" and keeps dancing. How is it possible that such an adorable, sweet fellow would get typecast as a bad guy the rest of his career? Maybe after he joined the Marines (right after this movie!) and became a drill sergeant, the men he trained were just used to his toughness and shouting. Or maybe it was just Crossfire. Crossfire was his first villainous role, and I don't think he ever bounced back from it.

Ruth is dutifully doing her part for the war effort, and they go through the pros and cons of getting married before the war and risking Ruth becoming a widow, or waiting until Robert returns - if he does. Ruth is a very patriotic lady, and her final scene probably had the women in the audience (during 1944) reaching for their handkerchiefs. This movie has a clear message, one that rings as true now as it did then: Bless them all!

A group of Marines fights the Japanese in Guadalcanal. Maj. Steve Lockhart (Pat O'Brien) tries to guide Capt. Dan Craig (Robert Ryan) through the difficult times. While on leave, Craig meets Lt. Ellen Foster (Ruth Hussey).

This was released a year before the end of the war in the Pacific. It is light at times with the comedy and the romance. There is war footage but it seems intent on rounding out the story with romantic melodrama and comedic scenes. The actors do get an action-packed ending although the miniatures do look fake next to the real thing. The studio set is fine for what it is. This is fine war melodrama.

Great movie, true to history as I have read. I am a history buff and have read World War II history. We need more movies of this value today. We need more praise of military today. I feel pride while watching this movie. Alway enjoy Pat O'Brien movies. The music score was a plus to this movie. History was followed to the true events. See the website for Marine Raiders. We must be proud of our Marine Raiders. Truly enjoyed this type of movies. Hollywood doesn't seem to produce this type of movie today. Maybe Hollywood should view the movies of the 1930's and 1940's. I enjoyed watching AMC and TBS for the old movies. Movies like Marine Raiders makes my Day.