Yes, The Great Raid (2005) is streaming on Netflix.It’s a gripping war film directed by John Dahl, starring Benjamin Bratt as Lt. Col. Henry Mucci and James Franco as Capt. Robert Prince, with Joseph Fiennes, Connie Nielsen, and others. The movie dramatizes one of the most audacious prisoner rescues of World War II: the real-life Raid at Cabanatuan in the Philippines.

en.wikipedia.org Quick, spoiler-light synopsis

In early 1945, as U.S. forces push to retake the Philippines from Japanese occupation, over 500 American POWs—survivors of the brutal 1942 Bataan Death March—are wasting away in a notorious prison camp near Cabanatuan. The Japanese have orders to execute them rather than let them be liberated. General Douglas MacArthur green-lights a high-risk mission: Lt. Col. Mucci leads a small force of U.S. Army Rangers (from the 6th Ranger Battalion), Alamo Scouts, and local Filipino resistance fighters on a daring 30-mile trek deep behind enemy lines. They must infiltrate, overwhelm a heavily guarded camp, free the emaciated prisoners, and escape before Japanese reinforcements arrive. The film intercuts the raid planning and execution with scenes inside the camp (showing the POWs’ suffering and dwindling hope) and the efforts of an American nurse aiding the underground resistance. It’s tense, action-packed, and emphasizes courage, leadership, and unlikely alliances.

rottentomatoes.com

The movie runs about 132 minutes, is rated R for intense war violence, and is based on historical accounts (like books by William B. Breuer and Hampton Sides). It doesn’t shy away from the horrors of the Japanese occupation or the POWs’ ordeal.

Why the Filipino role matters (and why it’s often overlooked)

You mentioned knowing little about events in the Far East/Pacific theater—this raid is a perfect example of stories that get overshadowed by Europe-focused WWII narratives. The Philippines was under Japanese control from 1942–1945, with horrific atrocities like the Bataan Death March (where tens of thousands of American and Filipino soldiers died). By 1945, as Allied forces advanced, the Japanese were desperate.The film (and real history) shows that the raid would have been impossible without Filipino guerrillas. Roughly 250–280 local resistance fighters (from units like those led by Captains Juan Pajota and Eduardo Joson) played critical roles:

en.wikipedia.org

• They acted as guides through enemy territory.
• They set up blocking forces to stop Japanese reinforcements (e.g., holding a key bridge at Cabu Creek).
• They recruited villagers for silent support—muzzling dogs, hiding livestock, and providing carabao carts to evacuate the sick and wounded POWs.
• They fought alongside the Americans, suffering their own casualties (about 20–26 wounded or killed).

In the actual raid on January 30, 1945, the combined force (121 Rangers + Scouts + guerrillas) rescued 511–552 POWs in just 30 minutes, killing hundreds of Japanese guards with only 2 U.S. Ranger deaths and minimal Filipino losses. It was a stunning success and one of the largest, most perfectly executed POW rescues in U.S. military history.

warfarehistorynetwork.com

The guerrillas’ bravery and local knowledge turned a suicidal mission into a triumph—and the movie does a solid job highlighting that partnership (often missing from simplified “Americans save the day” stories). If you’re into the history, it ties into bigger Pacific theater events like MacArthur’s return and the push toward Japan. Highly recommended if you like Saving Private Ryan-style WWII action with real heart and lesser-known heroism. Let me know if you want cast details, historical deep dives, or similar films!

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