Wake Island (1942)

Approved  |   |  Action, Drama, War  |  11 August 1942 (USA)
6.9
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Reviews: 20 user | 15 critic

December, 1941. With no hope of relief or re-supply, a small band of United States Marines try to keep the Japanese Navy from capturing their island base.

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(screenplay), (screenplay), 3 more credits »
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Title: Wake Island (1942)

Wake Island (1942) on IMDb 6.9/10

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Nominated for 4 Oscars. Another 2 wins & 2 nominations. See more awards »
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Cast

Complete credited cast:
...
Maj. Geoffrey Caton
Macdonald Carey ...
Lt. Bruce Cameron
...
Pvt. Joe Doyle
...
Pvt. Aloysius K. 'Smacksie' Randall
...
Shad McClosky
...
Cmdr. Roberts
Mikhail Rasumny ...
Ivan Probenzky
Rod Cameron ...
Capt. Pete Lewis
Bill Goodwin ...
Sgt. Higbee / Narrator
Damian O'Flynn ...
Capt. Bill Patrick
...
Johnny Rudd
Edit

Storyline

In November 1941, Major Caton takes command of the small Marine garrison on Wake Island. His tendency toward spit and polish upsets the men's tropical lassitude, but Pearl Harbor changes everything. Soon the island is attacked and the Marines pull together day by day; but how long can they hold out? Written by Rod Crawford <puffinus@u.washington.edu>

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Taglines:

Tougher than Leather . . . Harder to Kill! Daring Americans Fighting Against All Odds! See more »

Genres:

Action | Drama | War

Certificate:

Approved | See all certifications »
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Details

Country:

Language:

|

Release Date:

11 August 1942 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Heldenlegioen  »

Filming Locations:

 »

Company Credits

Production Co:

 »
Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

| (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1
See  »
Edit

Did You Know?

Trivia

Widely shown to serving soldiers at the time to help boost morale. See more »

Goofs

In a shot of the Japanese ships just before the Marines open fire, a patrol boat can be seen already on fire. See more »

Quotes

Pvt. Aloysius K. 'Smacksie' Randall: [Dressed in civilian clothes] World, here I come!
See more »


Soundtracks

Taps
(uncredited)
Composed by Gen. Daniel Butterfield 1862
Played during movie's opening.
See more »

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User Reviews

 
It Actually Happened
14 August 2005 | by (United States) – See all my reviews

"Wake Island" is one of those movies that cannot be dismissed as mere World War Two propaganda. The fact is that the battle for Wake Island actually happened, which is what this movie is about. Okay, some of the characterizations are pure Hollywood and the conflict between the military and civilian personnel is contrived, yet what is NOT contrived is the event itself. A small detachment of Marines and civilian contractors did hold the Japanese at bay for about two weeks and did this knowing that they were on their own and that there would be no reinforcements. So let's give credit where credit is due, and take the time to watch this movie. The men on Wake Island were heroes and this movie does them credit.


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