Bataan (1943): Cast & Plot
Bataan is a 1943 action drama directed by Tay Garnett, starring Robert Taylor as Sgt. Bill Dane, Lee Bowman and Desi Arnaz. It runs 1 hour 54 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 54m (114 min)
- Director
- Tay Garnett
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Loew's Incorporated
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Bataan About?
The premise of Bataan without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
During Japan’s 1942 invasion of the Philippines, Capt. Henry Lassiter, Sgt. Bill Dane and thirteen American soldiers are ordered to destroy and hold a strategic bridge to buy General MacArthur time to secure Bataan. As the Japanese rebuild the bridge and press forward, the men endure hunger, illness, gunfire and the bleak hope of no relief.
Bataan Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- war propaganda
- tropics
- u.s. soldier
- sabotage
- japanese occupation of the philippines
- japanese treachery
- multi ethnic
- heroic military
- tough guy
- self sacrifice
- world war two
- shootout
+38 more Show fewer
- u.s. military
- bayonet fight
- bayonet charge
- american colony
- dying young
- year 1942
- outnumbered
- bravery
- death of soldier
- digging a grave
- infantry action
- army air corps
- u.s. navy sailor
- army sergeant
- african american
- u.s. army
- steel helmet
- last man standing
- thompson gun
- tommy gun
- battlefield
- bolt action rifle
- stabbed with a bayonet
- war hero
- racial slur
- exploding bridge
- pacific war
- pacific ocean
- japanese army
- machine gun
- explosion
- combat
- philippines
- death of friend
- surprise ending
- m1 rifle
- machete
- opening action scene
Bataan Cast & Characters
Robert Taylor leads the cast as Sgt. Bill Dane, with Lee Bowman as Capt. Henry Lassiter and Desi Arnaz as Felix Ramirez. Directed by Tay Garnett; 24 actors are credited in all.
- Director Tay Garnett
-
Robert Taylor as Sgt. Bill Dane -
Lee Bowman as Capt. Henry Lassiter - Desi Arnaz as Felix Ramirez
-
Thomas Mitchell as Cpl. Jake Feingold
Also Starring in Bataan
· 20 more- Lloyd Nolan Cpl. Barney Todd
- Tom Dugan Sam Malloy
- George Murphy Lt. Steve Bentley
- Roque Espiritu Corp. Juan Katigbak
- Tom Yuen Filipino
- Robert Walker Leonard Purckett
- Donald Curtis Lieutenant
- Barry Nelson F.X. Matowski
- Bud Geary Infantry Soldier
- Ernie Alexander Wounded Soldier
- Phillip Terry Matthew Hardy
- Phil Schumacher Machine Gunner
- Beal Wong Japanese Soldier
- Bruce Wong Japanese Soldier
- Luke Chan Japanese Soldier
- Mary McLeod Elsie McAlister
Show all 24 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Alex Havier Yankee Salazar
- Kenneth Spencer Wesley Eeps
- Wing Foo Japanese Soldier
- Leigh Sterling Man
More from Tay Garnett
More films directed by Tay Garnett, best-rated first: The Postman Always Rings Twice, The Delta Factor, Cattle King and The Black Knight.
Bataan Plot Summary
What happens in Bataan from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
During a tense, world-watchful retreat on the Bataan Peninsula, the United States Army fights to slow the enemy’s advance while a critical wooden bridge—spanning a ravine on massive stone pillars—becomes the focal point of a desperate plan. An ad hoc group of thirteen soldiers from different units is assembled with a single objective: blow the bridge and delay Japanese rebuilding efforts for as long as possible. They dig in on a hillside, staying alert as the landscape tightens around them, and prepare for a inevitable clash.
Full summary
The whole story of Bataan, scene by scene
Bataan Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Bataan.
How Well Do You Know Bataan?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Which actor portrays Sergeant Bill Dane in the film?
Bataan Also Known As
3 alternative titles, including “Batán” and “La patrulla de Bataan”.
- Also known as
-
- Batán
- La patrulla de Bataan
- 孤岛英魂
Seen Bataan?
Movies Like Bataan
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Back to Bataan, The Great Raid and Fires on the Plain.
Bataan FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Bataan, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Bataan?
Bataan runs 1 hour 54 minutes (114 minutes).
When was Bataan released?
Bataan was released on June 3, 1943.
Who directed Bataan?
Bataan was directed by Tay Garnett.
More films by Tay Garnett Who is in the cast of Bataan?
Bataan stars Robert Taylor as Sgt. Bill Dane, Lee Bowman as Capt. Henry Lassiter and Desi Arnaz as Felix Ramirez, among 24 credited actors.
Does Bataan have a post-credit scene?
No. Bataan has no extra scene during or after the credits.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
