Drama,Action
United States of America
The Purple Heart is a 1944 war drama film directed by Lewis Milestone. The film is based on the true story of eight US Army Air Force crew members who were captured by the Japanese after their B-25 bomber crash-landed in Japan-occupied China. The crew members are put on trial by their captors and accused of being war criminals.
The film stars Dana Andrews as Captain Harvey Ross, the bomber's pilot, and Richard Conte as Lieutenant Angelo Canelli, the co-pilot. The rest of the crew includes several other characters, such as the navigator, radioman, bombardier, and gunners.
The film depicts the hardships endured by the crew during their captivity, including being interrogated, beaten, and starved. The Japanese captors use torture to try to extract information about the Doolittle Raid on Tokyo, of which the crew had no knowledge. The crew members also suffer from illness and injuries sustained during their crash landing.
As the trial begins, the crew members are shocked to learn that they are being accused of violating Japanese airspace and conducting an illegal bombing mission. The trial is a sham, and the crew members are found guilty and sentenced to death. The film follows their journey to the gallows, where they are given an opportunity to make a final statement.
The Purple Heart was a timely and controversial film upon its release, provoking some critics to accuse it of being anti-American. However, it was praised for its accurate portrayal of the harsh treatment suffered by prisoners of war under the Japanese regime. The film was nominated for several Academy Awards, including Best Cinematography and Best Original Screenplay, but failed to win any.
