In late 1941, with no hope of relief or re-supply, a small band of United States Marines tries to keep the Japanese Navy from capturing their island base.
Acting
William Bendix steals every scene as the comic relief who breaks your heart.
Production
Shot while the real battle was still happening — Hollywood speedrun of history.
Direction
Farrow squeezes dread from endless horizons and dwindling ammunition.
Director
John Farrow
Brian Donlevy
Maj. Geoffrey Caton
Macdonald Carey
Lt. Bruce Cameron
Robert Preston
Pvt. Joe Doyle
William Bendix
Pvt. Aloysius K. "Smacksie" Randall
Albert Dekker
Shad McClosky
Walter Abel
Cmdr. Roberts
Mikhail Rasumny
Ivan Probenzky
Rod Cameron
Capt. Pete Lewis
Bill Goodwin
Sgt. Higbee / Narrator (voice)
Damian O'Flynn
Capt. Bill Patrick
Frank Albertson
Johnny Rudd
Hugh Beaumont
Captain (uncredited)
Barbara Britton
Sally Cameron (uncredited)
Hillary Brooke
Girl at the Inn (uncredited)
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Released August 11, 1942 — while the real Wake Island defenders were still POWs, most unaware they'd survive.
One of four 1942 films rushed out to capitalize on Pearl Harbor; it became required viewing for war bond drives.
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