Ambush Bay |  | Director: Ron Winston
Actors: Hugh O'Brian, Mickey Rooney, James Mitchum, Peter Masterson, Harry Lauter
Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
Category: DVD
List Price: $14.98
Buy New: $7.16
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Rating:  18 reviews
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, Full Screen, Letterboxed, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Subtitled), French (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Region: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Number Of Discs: 1
Running Time: 109 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: 1008117
UPC: 027616921659
EAN: 0027616921659
Theatrical Release Date: 1966
Release Date: April 19, 2005
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | General MacArthur doesn't know it, but he's headed for an ambush. Hugh O'Brian, Mickey Rooney and James Mitchum star in this "well-made" (Los Angeles Times) World War II nail-biter that'll keep you on the edge of your seat with "consistent excitement" (The Film Daily) right until the explosive ending. A marine patrol secretly lands on the Japanese-occupied island of Siarago. Their |
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Product Description
General MacArthur doesn't know it but he's headed for an ambush. Hugh O'Brian Mickey Rooney and James Mitchum star in this "well-made" (Los Angeles Times) World War II nail-biter that'll keep you on the edge of your seat with "consistent excitement" (The Film Daily) right until the explosive ending.A marine patrol secretly lands on the Japanese-occupied island of Siarago. Their mission: to locate a Japanese-American girl with vital information concerning General MacArthur's pending Philippine invasion. What they uncover instead is a Japanese plot to detonate underwater mines as the US fleet enters the bay. Cut off from outside communication these brave marines must find a way to prevent what could be the worst naval tragedy from ever happening.System Requirements: Running Time 110 MinFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: DRAMA Rating: NR UPC: 027616921659 Manufacturer No: 1008117
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Showing reviews 1-5 of 18
War in the Phillipines October 20, 2009
Ian Holdsworth (Melbourne, Australia)
This movie was ok, but it was obviously made in late 1960's, as some of the props and mannerisms seem to be out of place for WW2. Mickey Rooney is good, but he was starting to show his age. The plot also wanders and is a bit hard to follow sometimes. This movie is ok, but its not fantastic.
Suitable for children? September 10, 2009
D. Nuce (Chihuahua, Mexico)
I am a seventeen year old movie buff and am writing a series of reviews on films from the late fifties on so that parents can know what content issues may arise from these films. The sixties and seventies were known for pushing the content envelope to new levels and despite the common "if it's old it's ok for kids," statement, there are many films during this period that are not suitable for children.
After the review, I have also included my personal opinions on whether or not a film is suitable for children and whether or not the film is worth watching. Please do not be offended by my reviews because they are just stating the facts. I am trying to be as un-biased as possible.
Ambush Bay
A group of commandos are sent into enemy territory. The leader of the group (Hugh O'Brian), a rooky radio operator (James Mitchum) and a wise-cracking sergeant (Mickey Rooney) are the main characters. The mission quickly goes hay-wire as the commando's discover a Japanese plan to ambush MacArthur's invasion and the group fights for its survival.
Violent Content
Pushed out in the middle sixties, Ambush Bay is surprisingly violent for the time. There are many shootings throughout with heavy use of blood. However, the blood is thick and appears rather fake.
Possibly the films most graphic instance is when a man is impaled on a booby trap set up by island natives. He is pulled off it by his comrades and we see the bloody stakes afterwards.
There are a few knifings, handled in the typical pass the blade underneath the armpit fashion. A character is shot in the head and falls into a river bleeding profusely. Another character is shot repeatedly and still continues to fight. A woman is shot off-screen.
When a bridge is blown, dozens of Japanese soldiers are tossed into a river. A man is shot while eating and (disgusting, not violent) we see food spill out of his mouth in large quantities. A few men spew blood while they are dying. Several men are killed by explosions.
Language
The language used in Ambush Bay is fairly typical of a mid-sixties war movie. The profanities are no harsher than d--- or h--- and can be counted on both your hands.
Sexual Content
A woman offers herself to a soldier so that the commandos can get away. We see her go into a hut with the man and the door closes. Later, we see him rush out with his shirt off.
Due to the death of a native, Hugh O'Brian's character is forced to search a building that appears to be some kind of brothel. He finds his contact (a Japanese woman) and waits by the door while she changes behind a screen (we see her shoulders). Later, a soldier tries to push through the door to talk to her, but she tells him she is busy. She tells O'Brian that the soldier "desires me."
Several Japanese soldiers are viewed in loincloths that expose all of their legs and quite a bit of their rear-ends.
Hugh O'Brian tells their contact that he was making love when the war started.
Morales
Typical, "War is hell" attitude throughout. Characters come to love and respect one another and several characters sacrifice themselves for the group. O'Brian is a womanizer and a drinker. A Japanese woman is willing to sell her body for the cause. No clear religious beliefs are presented in this film.
Ambush Bay is a pretty standard war movie that probably will have some appeal to teens that are not allowed to watch Saving Private Ryan style war movies. However, the film is lack-lustre, even when compared to other war films of the day. Hugh O'Brian and James Mitchum are wooden and the only really good performance comes from the dinkiest marine ever, Mickey Rooney. Also, the film is far too slow for most people. Good for maybe one view, but not a classic by any means. The film doesn't push the content envelope too far, but is still probably not appropriate for kids under the age of thirteen. For fans of war movies running low on options. Everyone else will probably be better off watching The Guns of Navarone.
 One of the finest Pacific Theater WW II films! January 27, 2008
Patrick W. Crabtree (Lucasville, OH USA)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Hollywood simply did not make enough of these great color, letterbox format, Pacific Theater, WW II films! Director Ron Winston did a fine job with this one which is one of the best I've seen.
A young James Mitchum, (talented brother of Robert and John Mitchum), holds the starring role here over Hugh O'Brian and Mickey Rooney. Mitchum plays Private Grenier, a smart-aleck rookie U.S. Marine who has gotten himself shanghaied into a top secret special operation in the Phillipines during the Japanese occcupation. All the other marines, about a dozen of them, are highly-trained and experienced specialists in their respective fields. Mitchum, the radio guy, was grudgingly brought along as a last-minute replacement for the regular top communications specialist who came down with illness just prior to this imperative guerilla operation.
They are secreted to the island by float-plane at night. Soon after entering the jungle, the Captain of the operation is killed during a desperate scuffle with some Japanese soldiers at their campfire. Hugh O'Brian, playing the Lieutenant, takes over command and he doesn't much like Mitchum, viewing the Private as trivial and immature. Mitchum is eventually told the purpose of the operation: A Phillipine guide will take them across the jungle island to the Japanese base where their contact person, a covert Allied agent, will provide information that is critical to MacArthur's immanent Allied re-invasion of the Phillipines. Thus, it will eventually fall on Mitchum, the most important member of the team in terms of duty, to convey this critical intelligence by radio.
In yet another early confrontation with a small platoon of Japanese infantry, who are also equipped with a very cool little army tank, more Marines are killed and this also sets the Japanese hot on their trail through the jungle. Just before their destination is reached the Marine's native guide, the only person who knew who the identity of the contact agent, is killed -- Hugh O'Brian is forced to sneak into the Japanese-infested village and ferret out the contact agent at great risk. I'll have to stop here to avoid a SPOILER!
One of the best features of this movie is the superb filmscore, composed and conducted by Richard LaSalle. It's one of those atmospheric sixty-ish scores reminiscent of those fine soundtracks previously conveyed by Hugo Friedhofer and Les Baxter. It really adds to the suspense and to the ambiance of this fine film.
The abundance of tropical flora, great locations and sets, the super cinematography, and, the great casting additionally support the superb quality of the movie. Compare this film to yet another of these singular film treasures:
Never So Few
It's all really just first-class. If you enjoy World War II films, especially those concerning the Pacific Theater, you'll love this terrific 1966 entry. My highest recommendation!
 Basically a good movie that portrays the wrong unit July 16, 2007
Rifleman
A squad of Marines is inserted onto a Philippine island in 1944 by seaplane and rubber raft for a scouting mission prior to MacArthur's invasion. They link up with a Philippine Guerrilla to locate a Japanese American agent with vital information.
The movie has a good cast and lots of good action scenes, I just can't give it five stars due to one large technical inaccuracy: the Marine Corps did not operate in the Philippines in 1944, they were in the Central Pacific at the time. And they certainly didn't perform special reconnaissance for MacArthur.
The Sixth Army Special Reconnaissance Unit - also known as the Alamo Scouts - did perform many missions similar to the one portrayed in this movie, both on New Guinea and in the Philippines.
Like the Marines in this movie, the Alamo Scouts worked in small teams, were often inserted by seaplane and rubber raft, often wore leopard pattern camouflage and soft caps, and would sometimes liaison with Philippine Guerrillas.
Having the Marines on a scouting mission in the Philippines is sort of like having the Army invade Tarawa. Still, all in all, this is a fun movie to watch. Strictly speaking, it isn't factual, but it speaks to some of the facts. I could have given it five stars if the unit had been portrayed as Alamo Scouts.
People knowledgeable in WWII weapons will probably notice the scoped M1 sniper rifle carried by one of the Marines isn't a true M1C or M1D configuration as it should have been.
Entertaining, if somewhat cliched, WWII adventure March 22, 2007
T O'Brien (Chicago, Il United States)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Ambush Bay is an entertaining WWII action movie that uses too many war movie cliches, but overall doesn't take away the enjoyment of an exciting movie. In October 1944, a specialist team of Marines lands in the Phillipines to complete a mission, meeting a source that has some key information, that could play a big part in the retaking of the islands. Among the nine-man team is a inexperienced radio man, Grenier, who was a last minute replacement and is not quite sure why he had to come along. While trekking through the jungle, Grenier must try and fit in without having the team turn on him. But as the team of Marines travels across the island, they find themselves battling the Japanese every step of the way, and their numbers begin to dwindle. The story isn't groundbreaking, and it doesn't need to be, the movie moves at a lightning quick pace and there is action around every corner. At times, the characters are nothing more than stereotypes, but you don't even notice, the action moves too quickly. Non-stop fun throughout with plenty of action and excitement.
With a script that focuses on three main characters, Hugh O'Brian plays the lead, Sgt. Steve Corey, a tough-as-nails veteran who finds himself in command after the mission leader is killed early on. O'Brian brings a hard-edged touch to the role as the no-nonsense leader. Mickey Rooney seems to be having a great time as Gunnery Sgt. Ernie Wartell, O'Brian right hand man who seems to be the only one trying to help Private Grenier, the inexperienced radioman. Grenier is played by James Mitchum, and though he might not have the acting chops his father Robert did, James is pretty good in the part. Grenier narrates the film so as a viewer I found myself feeling for him and this very dangerous, confusing situation he finds himself in. The rest of the nine-man team is given little to do in the way of lines, but they don't stick around long. Tisa Chang plays Miyazaki, the spy in the Phillipines who has some key information that could save the invasion by MacArthur that finds herself attractive to O'Brian's Sgt. Corey. The DVD has a nice-looking widescreen presentation, the movie was filmed on location in the Phillipines and really benefits from it, and a theatrical trailer. Overall, an exciting, action-packed WWII movie in the Pacific with good performances from its three main leads. Give Ambush Bay a try!
Showing reviews 1-5 of 18
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