11/10/09
OTB Review by VideoViews.org

This is the tale of the all-volunteer 100th/442nd Regimental Combat Team, a platoon of second-generation Japanese-American soldiers that would become among the most decorated units in World War II. Facing terrible odds and the distrust of their adopted homeland these brave men were instrumental in the rescue of the famous Texas "Lost Battalion," a fight that would cost more than 800 men their lives.

I always enjoy a good war flick and when I read that Jason Scott Lee, Mark Dacascos and Pat Morita were among the cast members I was even more excited. One thing we all look for in a war film is the combat scenes and they were very well done here and really helps you feel just what these soldiers were going through, their pain and their fear. Also I felt the flashbacks into the personal lives of each of these men did a great job at filling out the characters and in turn it helps you connect and feel for each of them. Many of you out there may never of even known about the 100th/442nd Regimental Combat Team, and had no idea that the mission to save the Texan unit even took place but after seeing this you will find it to be a powerful and moving story of bravery. This tribute to an unbelievable group of soldiers leaves you thinking about your own life and just how easy you have it while others just like these brave men the story is about are fighting for us all right now. It does hit home and leaves you feeling very different about a lot of things when it is over. By watching this it is hard to believe that it is a low budget, Independent film. The wonderful cast and amazing detail to uniform, weapons and everything else about the time period makes this film play and look much bigger than it is. The story shows these men as brave soldiers but it also shows them as humans with wives and children waiting at home for them which sends a message that war should be the last option as losing one life is too many. Made in 2006 it seems Only The Brave never had a chance to reach a wide audience but now that it is on DVD I hope everyone picks it up and I for one am grateful to all those involved in making the film and preserving an important piece of history that no one should miss. A rare and powerful eye-opener that I highly recommend owning

Released by Indican Pictures
Out Of

http://www.videoviews.org/onlythebrave.html

Sacramento Bee Editorial

Editorial: A story worth telling - widely

Sacramento Bee
Published 12:00 am PDT Tuesday, June 10, 2008

In the recent spate of movies about the World War II Greatest Generation, one story has not been told to a large audience. That's the story of second-generation Japanese Americans who volunteered for military service, even as their families were forced from their homes into internment camps.

There is a beautiful feature-length film of this experience, and it had one showing in Sacramento on Saturday. But no national distributor has picked up the film for mass distribution.

Sacramento's Japanese American community brought "Only the Brave" to town as a benefit for the renovation of the Nisei War Memorial Hall at Fourth and O streets, in Sacramento's long-gone Japantown. All proceeds will go to the renovation, thanks to Mikuni restaurant's underwriting of the sold-out showing, a fine start on raising funds and a fine tribute to the World War II-era Nisei veterans who attended.

When these soldiers returned home from the war, the American Legion wouldn't accept them. The Veterans of Foreign Wars welcomed them, but said they'd have more impact if they formed their own post. So they did. But now the hall needs renovation.

Filmmaker Lane Nishikawa spoke at the showing. The movie is based on the experiences of his three uncles, giving the movie a personal touch. It's also the story of women and children on the home front. Even in harsh scenes, the film has a light touch that makes a point without dwelling on it; from an encounter with white soldiers at a Mississippi training camp to goodbyes from an internment camp.

The center of the movie is the Battle of Bruyere in France, where Japanese American units were ordered to rescue the Texas "Lost Battalion" surrounded by German forces. The Japanese American 100th/442nd Combat Team suffered more than 800 casualties to save 211 out of 270 Texans. In the film, the leader of the Texas forces thanks Sgt. Jimmy Takata, and Takata replies, "You'd have done the same for us." Just think about that one for a minute.

Through their great sacrifice, the Nisei helped reverse deep-seated hostility at home. That great American story deserves a wide audience. It's a shame that this film will have only limited theatrical release in the United States.

Pia Lopez, plopez@sacbee.com