bkoganbing
Up until World War II the US Marines was an elite fighting force and under the control of the Navy. It is still that. But between the World Wars and under the leadership of one far sighted commandant John Lejeune the Marines developed as specialty mission, amphibious landing. When the Pacific war came and would be fought across the ocean from several directions toward Japan, the Marines became invaluable with their training for amphibious landings across those countless Pacific islands. It became in fact four divisions because the USA needed a lot of Marines.That's what Marine Raiders is all about. A couple of veterans of the Corps, Pat O'Brien and Robert Ryan, are ordered back from combat to train what the Marines hope will be half a million of them. O'Brien says it's orders, but Ryan really resents being pulled from combat. However in combat he could never have met Ruth Hussey and gotten things going with her.Knowing that background which I described makes you understand Marine Raiders a lot better. It still holds up well and those jungle combat scenes once again have RKO utilizing the old King Kong sets. And it's historically accurate even if it doesn't give all the background I did.
MartinHafer
While Pat O'Brien's films often lacked realism, he was a fun actor to watch and his films almost never failed to entertain. Robert Ryan was also extremely entertaining (but a bit underrated) but a different sort of actor--much more believable and ordinary (in a good way). With both these wonderful actors in the film, it's no surprise that I'd watch this film! As far as the film goes, it is a pretty standard WWII action film. It chronicles a group of Marines through some nameless engagements as well as a romance between Ryan and Ruth Hussey--who, inexplicably, was cast as an Australian--though she hadn't a trace of the proper accent. Nothing great here, but competently done. Oh, and despite Ryan receiving second billing, clearly he's the leading man here, though O'Brien was the household name--thus the billing. Worth seeing but not necessary unless you are a Robert Ryan fan.
sol
(Some Spoilers) When the rough & ready US Marine Raiders landed at Guadalcanal to prevent the Japs from sending reinforcements there to their beleaguered troops a unit of the Raiders was cut off and annihilated by the defending Japanese forces.Being able to accept getting killed and wounded in battle against enemy troops Raider Capt. Dan Craig, Robert Ryan, just went berserk when his fellow Raider Lt. Tony Junior Hewitt, Russell Wade, was found deep in the jungle still alive, but barley, with his hands chopped off and crucified on a palm tree after he was captured by the Japs! In an almost zombie-like state Dan strolled into the jungle, with Jap bullets and mortar rounds flaying at him in all directions, and gunned down four Japanese soldiers who couldn't as much as lay a glove or bullet on him. Decleared unfit for combat because of mental and battle fatigue problems Dan is sent the Australia to recuperate from his, mostly psychological not physical, combat wounds.Itching to get back into combat and get another crack at the Japs poor Captain Dan was soon sidelined from his lust for war, and revenge, by meeting and falling in love with cute US Army Air Force auxiliary servicewoman Lt. Ellen Foster, Ruth Hussey. It was Ellen who for a brief moment made Dan forget about the war and the reason he's fighting it! This has Dan's best friend Maj.Steve Lockhart, Pat O'Brien, worried that Dan will lose his love for war and possibly, in being the best man in his battalion, the effectiveness his combat unit.Getting, behind the scenes, Dan transfered back to his beloved Marine Raiders Maj. Lockhart is now at odds with Dan's fiancée Ellen in wanting him, as a fighting marine, all for himself and leaving her, in her relationship with Dan, out in the cold. Like in most WWII era made war-films patriotism and one's love of country overcomes such mundane things like the girl back home, or in Australia, or just avoiding being killed or wounded that drives not only Dan but his friend Steve and fiancée Ellen to finally see the light or what its, fighting Japanese Imperialism, all about. In them taking part in the crusade in the destruction of the fascist and expansionist Japanese, or Gen. Tojo, Empire!Dan does get his chance to finish the job, in avenging Lt. Hewitt sadistic death at the hands of the Japanese, that he started back in Guadalcanal but at the same time ends up getting the girl, Ellen, who's relationship that his good friend Maj, now let.Col, Lockhart tried to break up. This all happens in what looked like the invasion of the Gilberts Islands where Dan Steve & Co. really put the hurt on the Japs with small arms grenades as well as artillery and naval bombardments, that Dan radioed in, that finally put an end to Imperialist Japan's dream of a world empire.
Michael O'Keefe
Army Major Steve Lockhart(Pat O'Brien)and Marine Captain Dan Craig(Robert Ryan)are veterans of the fierce fighting at Guadalcanal...they join and train young soldiers in Australia. The fighting scenes are engaging; but otherwise this is a typical rally 'round the flag flick. Of course what would this war drama be without a rivalry over a woman...Ruth Hussey. MARINE RAIDERS is very watchable and co-stars: Frank McHugh, Martha Vickers, Barton MacLane and Russell Wade. O'Brien slides into his role with ease; on the other hand Ryan at times seems wooden. Kudos to Harold D. Schuster, who directs this RKO Radio Pictures WW2 warfare noir.
