PERIOD PHOTO of elite U.S. Rangers and Filiipino guerrillas after raid that liberated U.S. POWS in a Japanese camp in Nueva Ecija towards the end of World War II.
MORTON GROVE, Illinois–“The Great Raid,” the film based on the most daring rescue of World War II prisoners of war (POWs) in 1945, will be shown on Sunday, 2 p.m., November 8 at the Morton Grove Public Library Auditorium, 6140 N. Lincoln Ave., Morton Grove, Illinois. Admission is free.
The color, full-length movie starring Benjamin Bratt, James Franco, Joseph Fiennes and Filipino award-winning actor, Cesar Montano is about “the most triumphant rescue in U.S. military history.”
The elite 6th Ranger Battalion aided by Filipino guerilla fighters penetrated enemy lines to prevent the inevitable extermination of the 513 survivors of a Japanese concentration camp in Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija, days after the U.S. liberation forces landed in the Philippines in 1945.
“The Great Raid” will be shown in Morton Grove, Illinois to mark Filipino American History Month.
The screenplay is based on The Raid on Cabanatuan by William B. Breuer and Ghost Soldiers by Hampton Sides, two books that are available in most public libraries.
This presentation is in conjunction with the Filipino American History Month in October as mandated by the U.S. Congress.
Mayor Daniel DiMaria also proclaimed the event during the September 28meeting of the Morton Grove Village Board.
“Showing of this film should raise consciousness among the citizenry about the sacrifices of U.S. and Philippine veterans whom we honor on November 10. This film shows the bravery of many unsung soldiers especially those who fought in Bataan and in World War II,” says Ed Ramos, a Filipino American Morton Grove village trustee.
Sponsors of this event include: Morton Grove Public Library, Filipino American Assn. of Morton Grove, PINOY Newsmagazine, Gawad Kalinga (Giving Care), Filipino American Historical Society, Filipino Choir of St. Martha, NaFFAA, Filipino American of Skokie and the Chicago Consulate General of the Philippines.
For particulars, call MGPL (847) 965-4220, Ed Ramos (224) 875-8359 or Anong Santos (847) 528-4991.
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