Samuel Martinez

The movie was based on 1LT Ted Larson's book. As such the movie revolves around Larson's crew and experiences. The movie is well done and film version of the B25 take-off from the USS Hornet has become iconic as the actual films of the take-off during the raid. Since this film was made during wartime many of the pertinent facts about the evasion and escape and the operation of the planes were omitted as they could place the Chinese in harm's way. The above notes could be misconstrued as the aircraft crash-landing in Japan (Japanese territory). As I remember the facts - all sixteen aircraft crashlanded in China (Japanese-held territory) and two crews were captured (Eight total - two drowned). They were tried with three being executed in Shanghai and one dying of disease in captivity. (Note: The 1944 film "The Purple Heart" is a fictionalized account of the trial and execution). Overall a fine film.