Film '442' tells of Japanese American WWII soldiers

[RamboLiberal]

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That thousands of Japanese Americans, many of whom were imprisoned along with their families in internment camps, voluntarily joined the U.S. Army and fought for the Allies in World War II is astounding to many. And fight they did. The 442nd Infantry Regiment - along with an offshoot, the 100th Infantry Battalion - holds the distinction of being the most decorated unit of its size and service in U.S. military history. The 442nd and 100th were known as the "Go For Broke" regiments.

It puzzles Japanese people as well, and that's why a Japanese director, Junichi Suzuki, has made a documentary, "442 - Live With Honor, Die With Dignity." The film opens in San Francisco today as part of a slate of films and events that commemorates the end of World War II 65 years ago this month.

Suzuki's movie prominently features Sakai, who fought in France and Italy, several other 442 veterans, including Sen. Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii, and others knowledgeable about Japanese American issues, such as actor George Takei. In the film, Suzuki's crew joins a group led by Sakai in a visit to the French town of Bruyères, which the 442nd liberated. The town holds remembrances each year and erected a statue of a Japanese American soldier.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/08/13/DD2C1ERGJC.DTL&type=movies#ixzz0wVNy7SFO

[Liberation Angel]

1. There is also an exhibit at Ellis Island on this

It recently opened.

I know the curator and also the story of Sugihara who rescued many Lithuanian Jews during the Shoah

more at my youtube site on rescue and related WWII shoah subjects:

www.youtube.com/user/LiberationAngels

[Hell Hath No Fury]

2. My Mom often talks about the "Go For Broke" group --

She was a teen during WWII and that group really stood out for her. I dated a Japanese-American guy whose Dad was a ball turret gunner in WWII -- it was the one in the belly of the plane. His Dad - like many Japanese at the time -- was fairly small and could fit in such a tiny space. The Japanese-American story of WWII is one that has not fully been told -- those involved rarely if ever talked about their experiences, even to members of their own family who did not go through the war. It is one of the darkest chapters in our history as a country. :(

[Ichingcarpenter]

3. The Movie 'Go for broke' is in the public domain

and can be viewed online free.

IMBD:

A tribute to the U.S. 442nd Regimental Combat Team, formed in 1943 by Presidential permission with Japanese-American volunteers. We follow the training of a platoon under the rueful command of Lt. Mike Grayson who shares common prejudices of the time. The 442nd serve in Italy, then France, distinguishing themselves in skirmishes and battles; gradually and naturally, Grayson's prejudices evaporate with dawning realization that his men are better soldiers than he is. Not preachy. From 1951
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0043590/plotsummary

The movie can be seen here

http://www.archive.org/details/Go_for_Broke

[RamboLiberal]

4. Thanks - I was looking for it on Amazon & thinking of buying

I remember watching it years ago. BTW many veterans of the 442 played themselves in the film. BTW if anyone is thinking of buyying the DVD there is a doc from the 90's that has the Van Johnson film "Go for Broke" as well as a bonus.

Amazing how as a kid in the 50's and 60's it was more the movies that I watched on TV than the history class that informed me of the Japanese interment during WWII and of the 442. Or the Buffalo Soldiers(African American) in the West - film Sergeant Rutledge.

And getting back to the 442, another snippet of film that always got to me was in Karate Kid when Daniel found Mr. Miyagi's Medal of Honor.

[Ichingcarpenter]

5. The DivX at 700 mb plays real well in Quicktime

It has decent sound and picture for an old 1951 black and white film.
If you choose to watch it or download it.

Don't know why it escaped and got into the public domain but I think I'll add it to my film library. Van Johnson did a fine job in his role.

[yowzayowzayowza]

6. Thx for the headzup.

K&R