All language subtitles for MacA.

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[Drums]

[Band Joins In]

[Man Shouting Orders]

[Man Shouting Orders]

[Man Shouting Orders]

[Man's Voice]
As I was leaving
my hotel this morning,

the doorman asked me,

''Where are you
bound for, sir?''

When I replied,
''West Point,''

he remarked,
''It's a beautiful place.

Have you ever
been there before?''

[Students Laughing]

Duty, Honor, Country.

Those three hallowed words
reverently dictate...

what you ought to be,

what you can be...

and what you will be.

They are your
rallying points.

They give you
a temper of the will,

a quality of
the imagination,

a vigor of
the emotions,

a freshness of
the deep springs of life,

a temperamental predominance
of courage over timidity,

an appetite
for adventure...

over love of ease.

In this way, they will teach you
to be an officer...

and a gentleman.

From your ranks come the great
captains who will hold...

the nation's destiny
in their hands...

the moment
the war tocsin sounds.

The Long Gray Line...

has never failed us.

Were you to do so,

a million ghosts
in olive drab...

and brown khaki,
in blue and gray...

would rise from
their white crosses...

thundering
those magic words:

Duty, Honor, Country!

This does not mean
that you are warmongers.

On the contrary, the soldier,
above all other people,

prays for peace,

for he must suffer
and bear...

the deepest wounds
and scars of war.

But always in our minds
ring the ominous words of Plato:

''Only the dead...

have seen the end of war. ''

[Explosion]

[Man Groaning]

[Engines Rewing]

[Horn Honking]

[Male Dispatcher On Radio:
Indistinct]

Heads up, soldiers!

[Air Raid Siren Blaring]

[Clamoring]

[Panicked Shouting]

[Bombs Whistling]

[Shouting, Screaming]

[Air Raid Siren]

[Horn Honking]
Heads up!

[Explosion]

Lieutenant?
Yes, sir?

Major Huff's got himself
wounded. Would you
look after him, please?

Right away, sir.
Corporal,
would you take this?

[Muttering, Groaning]

[Distant Explosion]

Major.

So, one of the Battling
Bastards of Bataan, eh?

Yes, sir. No Mama,
no Papa, no Uncle Sam.

Well, help
is on the way.

I have Washington's
solemn promise on that.

[Man]
General Marshall,
Admiral King,

will you go
right in, please?

Thank you.

You said you wanted
to talk over
the Corregidor problem.

I certainly do.
I've gone out on a limb
with the Filipinos.

We should be getting
more than inspirational
radio messages...

through the Japanese
blockade.

Have any of our ships
made it?

One ship has reached Mindanao,
two more made it to Cebu.

The rest were either
sunk or captured.
Thank you.

So far we've lost better
than 80,000 tons.

In other words,
MacArthur has received
practically nothing.

That's about it,
Mr. President.

How long can
they hold out?
Matter of weeks.

We're still dispatching
submarines to Bataan
and Corregidor.

We managed to land
some munitions and drugs,

and evacuate
a few of the wounded,
but that's all we can do.

Unless you wanna start stripping
the defenses of the West Coast,
the Panama Canal...

One bombing of the canal
and it's out of action
for two years.

It's a more vulnerable target,
more important target
than Pearl Harbor.

And Hitler will have
the whole North American
continent for a target...

if we don't
stop him in Europe.
Exactly.

But you know
what's going to happen.

Like everything else,
Douglas is going to take
our strategy personally.

He thinks the blockade
is a figment of my imagination,

and that I'm
somehow deliberately
robbing him of glory.

[Sighs]

I wish you people
would send Douglas
a globe of the world...

to remind him we have
obligations all around it.

We have to support Stalin...

while he fights the bulk
of the Nazi army.

We have to assist Churchill
to keep England functioning.

We have to protect our flanks,
the Panama Canal...

and General Douglas
MacArthur.

I need him.
The country needs him.

We can't leave him
to the Japanese.

He won't leave the Philippines
unless you order him off,
Mr. President.

Cut an order.
Put my name to it.

[Man # 1]
L- O-5-O-6-7-3-D. L-9-2-6...

[Man #2]
So long, baby.

That's 140 million bucks
theJaps won't get.

[Man # 1]
L- 4-9-4...

I'm army to the marrow
of my bones, Dick.

I've never disobeyed
an order in my life.

Now, for the first time,
I feel bound to disobey.

Sir, you couldn't.
You'd be court-martialed.

Then I'll resign
my commission and fight
on here as a private.

I want you to direct
a statement for the
president to that effect.

General, pardon me,
but you don't mean that.

I will not leave!
I'll stay here with my boys.

Sir, you are the only
man alive that can
save the Philippines.

[Distant Explosions]

They would never have issued
an order to this effect...

unless they intended you
to mount an immediate
counteroffensive.

Damn it, those convoys
they diverted,

the troops and supplies
that never got here...

they're waiting for you
in Australia.

And if you leave now,
you can be back before
the food runs out.

[Male Dispatcher On Radio:
Indistinct]

Sir, you cannot disobey
a presidential order.

[Male Dispatcher On Radio:
Indistinct]

The president.

Strange ways
destiny pulls men's lives.

We have to believe that,
don't we, Jack?

[Airplane Engines
Droning]

[Shouting,
Screaming]

[Shouting,
Screaming]

[Typewriters Clacking]

[Distant Explosions]

I can't even find
these supplies.

File that
goddamn requisition.

Yes, sir!

Major.
Is the general busy?
The general busy?

You come and see.
He lead a big parade.

[Music Playing,
MacArthur Singing]

Excuse me, General.

The submarine has arrived
to evacuate President Quezon
and his family, as you ordered.

He still wants
you to join them.
No, Sid.

[Boy]
Boom-boom-boom

Boompity-boompity
Boompity-boom

Much more on the drums!
Let's hear those drums.
Louder on the drums.

Sir, President Quezon
is concerned about your
safety. He advises...

If a commander sneaks out, how
are the men supposed to feel?

I'll not skulk out of here
on a submarine.

I'll go in one of
Johnny Bulkeley's PT boats.

Sir, I know those boats.
Their engines are shot.

They'll only make
half-speed.

They're made of plywood.
They've got gasoline drums
all over the deck.

They're like floating coffins.
They'll go up like a bomb.

At least put your family
on a submarine.

They'd be safer there.

No, Sid, no.
I will stay with
the general.

Jean, you don't understand.
Come here.

We don't even know how many
Japanese are out there.

A submarine might be
the only safe place
for you and Arthur.

We are staying with you.

Don't forget those
other soiled clothes.
Yes, ma'am.

[Explosion]

Jeannie, Sid is right.
It's gonna be a very
dangerous journey.

I'd rather have
you and Arthur...

Now, sir, as you are
so fond of saying,

''We three are one.
We drink of the same cup.''

Jeannie.

You're my finest soldier.

How did Shakespeare put it?

''The general's wife
is the general's general.''

Colonel Wainwright, sir?
General MacArthur's
arriving.

Thank you, son.

There goes Dugout Doug and
his whole goddamn Gypsy caravan.

Good-bye, General, sir.

Castro, keep up
the good fight.

A guerrilla force
is forming.

I'm joining them.
Very good.

I've got my rifle.

Ammunition?
Enough.

All right, then.
Cross over to Bataan.

There are good men in
the hills there. Join them.

Fight with them.
Yes, sir.

Good luck, Castro.
We'll meet again.

Well, Jim,
I have no choice.

I know.

If we get through
to Australia,

I'll be back
as soon as I can...

with as much
as I can.

I suppose I can't convince you
to go by submarine.
No, no, no.

If we can break through,
it will demonstrate
to Washington...

that this blockade
can be pierced...

if you have
the daring for it.

In the meantime,

you've got to
hold on here.

Yes, sir.

Cigars, shaving cream.

Thank you.

Jim,

let the men know
that I'm obeying...

a direct order
from the president.

[Jim]
I will. I will.

[Boat Engine Rewing]
When I return, I'll make you
a lieutenant general.

I'll be here,
or I'll be dead.

Good-bye, Jim.
Good-bye.

Welcome aboard, sir.
Thank you,
Lieutenant.

[Tokyo Rose]
I'm saying hello again
to you boys on Corregidor.

Especially you,
General MacArthur.

On behalf of the
Japanese nation, allow me
to invite you to a party...

to celebrate
our forthcoming victory.

A surprise party.

In fact, a necktie party,
here in Tokyo.

Sorry, General.
[Radio Clicks Off]

Let's skip that
little party, shall we?

Aye, aye, sir.

[Boat Engine Droning]

What is it?

Mines.

I think that's
the last of them, sir.

There's a pot
of hot coffee
up forward, sir.

Would you
like some?
No coffee!

How do you feel,
sir?

I'm not exactly
a navy man, Phil.

Well, when we get to Australia,
the commissioner of railways...

has ordered his own personal car
for your trip to Melbourne.

Anything
I can do, sir?

Can't sleep.

We're safe.
They're doomed!

I know what
they're saying.

''Dugout Doug MacArthur
lies a-shakin' on the Rock,

safe from any danger
and any sudden shock.''

I've heard that song.

Well, I'm sure that the men
who thought that one up...

were just blowin'
off steam, sir.

I'm only thankful my father
isn't alive to hear it.

Sir!

[Whistle Blowing]

[Woman Counting
In Foreign Language,
Little Arthur Responding]

[Counting Continues]

I knew the train
would be the best.

This is the first time
he's really slept
since Pearl Harbor.

Hmm.

[Counting Continues]

[Fanfare]

[Cheering]

Good crowd, and it looks like
all the Australian brass
you want to talk to...

are out there
waiting for you, sir.

All I see is people.
Where are the kangaroos?

I'm sure we'll see
some soon, dear.

[Man] What I'd like to have
is a public address system
by the back there.

[Crowd Cheering,
Band Playing]

Hello, Dick.
Do you have a report for me?

Ah, yes, I do, but...
but there's
a crowd waiting.

Why don't you go out,
and I'll brief you
in the hotel.

Well, good news can wait,
bad news can't.

Let's have it.

Well, sir,

I, uh...

Nobody knows anything about
a Philippine relief expedition.

I'm sorry.

In the whole of Australia,
there is a grand total
of some 30,000 U.S. Personnel,

mostly artillery
and engineers,

scattered all over
the continent.

At present,
there's no American infantry.

Air units?

There are about 250 planes
of all types...

more or less
in commission.

Sixty-five of them
are undergoing repairs,

a hundred and twenty-two
of them are being assembled.

There's almost
no navy at all.

[MacArthur]
And no infantry.
God help us.

Well, there are approximately
300,000 Australian troops,

but they've been described as
undertrained and underequipped.

You know what that means.

Not only is the Bataan
rescue mission so much
blue sky over the horizon,

it is even open to question
if we can defend Australia.

[Crowd]
MacArthur! MacArthur!

Ready to go, Daddy?
Shh.

However, there is
one more thing, sir.

Headquarters
here at Melbourne
has received...

a message for you from
President Roosevelt.

He has awarded you
the Medal of Honor.

Congratulations,
sir.

[Crowd]
MacArthur! MacArthur!
MacArthur! MacArthur!

MacArthur! MacArthur!
MacArthur!

MacArthur! MacArthur!
MacArthur! MacArthur!

Congressional Medal of Honor.

MacArthur! MacArthur!
MacArthur!

You know, my father...

was awarded the same decoration
when he was only 19.

MacArthur!
MacArthur!

I had to wait
just a little bit longer.

MacArthur! MacArthur!
MacArthur! MacArthur!

[Microphone Feedback]

But at this moment,

I would swap it
for just one trained division.

[Band Playing,
Crowd Cheering]

[Applause, Cheering]

Excuse me, gentlemen.
Would you please shoot
from a low angle?

The general likes
that effect very much.

The president
of the United States...

The president...

[Band Stops Playing]

[Cheering Continues]

The president of the
United States ordered me...

to break through
the Japanese lines...

and proceed from Corregidor
to Australia...

for the purpose
of organizing...

the American offensive
against Japan,

a primary object of which...

is the retaking
of the Philippines.

I came through...

and I shall return.

[Over Radio]
This is General
Wainwright speaking.

Subject: Surrender.

To put a stop to further
useless sacrifice of human life,

I've decided to accept,

in the name of humanity,
the formal surrender...

of all American and Philippine
army troops...

in the Philippine Islands.

It became apparent
that the garrisons
would be eventually destroyed.

This dissension
was forced upon me...

by means entirely
beyond my control.

Let me emphasize there
must be no thought whatever...

of disregarding
these instructions.

My assistant chief of staff
will repeat the complete text...

of this letter by radio
to General MacArthur.

[MacArthur]
It's a trick!
It's a Japanese deception!

No, sir.
Everyone recognized
the general's voice.

He struck Old Glory
and ran up a bedsheet!

By what authority does he issue
such an unlawful order?

He's the acting commander.

The only possible
explanation is that
he's temporarily deranged.

For that reason alone,
his orders have no validity.

I place no credence
on this alleged broadcast.

Everybody up there believed him,
the Japanese included!
The conditions...

If it's true, then we
should get back at once.

It's not too late to join
the guerrillas on Luzon.

General, you-you
can't be serious.

They-They won't be
organized for months.

Now, we both know that
Wainwright could not
hold on indefinitely.

He was not asked
to hold on indefinitely!

His job was to
defend the island
until help arrived!

That was his assignment.
He had no supplies,
no food left!

The malaria was
totally out of hand.

If he had tried to
hold out one more day,

we would've had
a dreadful massacre.

General, would...

[Airplanes Fly By]

Yes, yes, yes.

I suppose it was
just a matter of time.

[Buzzer]

[Man On Phone]
General Blamey on line two, sir.
I can't speak to him now.

He'll call back later.

There's some talk
in Washington about...

a Medal of Honor
for Wainwright.

They want you
to recommend it.

Medal of Honor?

If Wainwright
received it,

it would constitute
an injustice to others
who have done far more.

Send the following radio
to General Marshall.

''I believe that Wainwright has
become temporarily unbalanced,

and that his condition renders
him susceptible of enemy use.''

Unquote.

[Shouting]

[Man] General, this training
is well and good,
but it's not enough.

These troops are green corn!
They won't be ready for weeks!

All soldiers are green
until their first battle.

Excuse me, I don't even
have the transport...

to supply a single division
for 24 hours.

Hell, I can't even
land 'em on the beach.

Harding, I want
action from you,
not complaints.

If I don't get going,
the navy's gonna
win this war.

Look what Nimitz did up
at Coral Sea and Midway.

I know you don't have
everything you need.

Sir, if I could just have
a little more time...

That's because our
friends in Washington...

are sending it all
to George Patton
in North Africa,

so he can run around
in the desert, fighting
a seesaw tank battle.

If I could just have...
Sid, I want to see
my new air commander.

Where's
General Kenney?

General Kenney?
Good morning.

[MacArthur]
Where'd you get the B-17?

It flew in from the States
this morning.

We're puttin' together several
squadrons up in Brisbane.

Good! How soon can you
get 'em in the air?

Soon enough to get
the enemy off our back,

and maybe go kick his butt
for a change.

Good, good!
My boys say
you can't do it.

Well, your boys
aren't fliers.

Give me five days
to prepare,

and I'll ship the whole goddamn
United States Army
to New Guinea by air.

[Chuckles]
Really?

- My staff hear about this?
- I doubt it.

Don't tell 'em.
You'll scare 'em half to death!

Attack!

[Man]
And you ram it
right down his throat!

The recent bombings of our
northern airfields give us
every reason to believe...

that the nips' next move
will be a massive invasion
of the Australian continent.

The garrison at Darwin,
up here,

doesn't have enough troops
to hold for more than 48 hours.

So our best plan, therefore,
is to show token resistance...

and fall back rapidly to this,
the Brisbane Line.

To the north, the enemy
will find only burnt offerings.

Meanwhile in the southeast,
we will throw everything...

into the fight for the cities
and the farmlands around them.

This is the living heart
of Australia,

and we shall defend it
with our lives.

- General.
- Thank you.

Gentlemen,

I've been deeply moved...

and deeply stirred...

by the allied efforts,

and by the courage
and determination
of the Australians...

as expressed by
General Blamey, but...

as supreme commander of
the southwest Pacific area,

I will not be the leader
of another lost cause.

We are attacking, gentlemen.

I am going to make
the fight for Australia...

up here in New Guinea.

[Murmuring]

[Tokyo Rose]
Hey, Joe,
whatcha doing out here?

You should be home on the farm
walking with your girl,

getting your chores done
and sitting down to supper.

Or maybe you should
be taking in a show,

walking down Broadway,
sipping Coke.

Thejungle's where we live.
It's where you die.

[MacArthur]
Bob, I sent for you...

because I don't think
you like a stalemate
any better than I do,

and that's what we've got
here in New Guinea.

They tell me that American boys
are actually throwing away
their rifles and turning tail.

That hasn't happened since
the first battle of Bull Run.

I want you
to relieve Harding.

This isn't
the Civil War, General.

Harding's a good man,
he's a good officer.

- It's just that
he's up against...
- I'm sending you in, Bob.

I want you to remove
all officers who won't fight.

If necessary, put sergeants
in charge of battalions...

and corporals in charge
of companies.

Anyone who will fight.

I want you to take Buna
or don't come back alive,

and that goes for
your chief of staff too.

[Birds Twittering]

Yes, sir.

Bob.

If you come through this
all right,

I'll give you
the Distinguished Service Cross,

I'll recommend you
for a high British decoration...

and I'll release your name
for newspaper publication.

Yes, sir.
Thank you very much, General.

I don't care how deep
the goddamn mud is!

I want you to kick ass,
or I'm gonna relieve yours!

Good news, General.
This battle is over.

It says so right here
in Stars and Stripes.

General MacArthur
won it yesterday.

Well, the great Sarah Bernhardt.
Another dramatic moment.

God, he tells
the newspapers,

but I wish he'd told
the Japanese.

Son of a bitch.
''Mopping-up operation''!

Now what kind of a phrase
is that to ask men to die for?

I'm surprised he didn't say
we're just policing the area.

I wonder who really
writes that propaganda.
I don't know.

I don't trust any
of those ass kissers
up there at the H.Q.,

surroundin' MacArthur.

Hell, he doesn't have a staff,
he's got a court!

You ever see
any of'em?

They remind me of
a bunch of barracuda...

I used to play poker with
in Shanghai years ago.

We had to put
the goddamn cuspidor in
the center of the table...

because no one dared look away
long enough to spit!

- Where you off to?
- Gotta go to the latrine, sir.

But I shall return.

[Explosions]

[Man # 1]
8- 5-9-9-7-0-0.

U.S. 7-6-9-9-7-2-6.

Australian.
No tags.

No tags?
Take care of him later.

U.S. 7-7-2-5-9-6-2.

Jewish.

[Man #2]
Oh, my God, here comes
General MacArthur!

[Man # 1]
Yeah, yeah, and I bet he's got
Eleanor Roosevelt with him too.

No, I'm serious.
Look.

General, sir!
Excuse me, sir,
but we just...

We just killed
a Jap sniper here
not five minutes ago.

Fine, son.
That's the best thing
to do with them.

Thought you said there
were 1,500 Japs here.
We ran into more like 6,000.

[Man # 1]
U.S.

5- 8-1-3-8-6-4.

[Man #2]
You mind repeating
the last four again?

[Man #2]
3- 8-6-4.

Not my idea
of how to win a war.

[Man # 1]
Australian.
0- 0-8-0-2.

Protestant.

Dennison, E.

2- 4-4-0-7-8-6.

[Minister
Blessing The Dead]

[MacArthur]
I'm thinking about Hansa Bay
still up ahead.

Yes, and Hansa Bay is not
some little outpost...

that we can overrun with
galoshes and determination.
[Distant Explosion]

We need men,
supplies.

Plenty of both.

Well, bombing Hansa Bay
is one thing.
Taking it's another.

You can say
that again.

Well, let's just say
we won't take Hansa Bay.

We won't what?
[Airplanes Fly By]

That's it.
We don't want it.

General, the farther up
the New Guinea coast we go,
[Machine Gun Fire]

The more trouble
we're gonna run into.

And I hope you don't
think it's gonna be
any easier at Wewak.

There's 60,000 of them
holed up there, sharpening
their samurai swords.

Good. I hope
there's more.

We don't want
Wewak either.

We'll bypass
their strong points,

cut their supply lines
and leave 'em to wither
and die on the vine.

- But what about my men?
- Starve Hansa Bay.
Starve Wewak.

Starvation is my ally.

[Man On Film]
Okay, soldier,
welcome to the fight.

So the cut of the cards
has dealt you
a tour of the Pacific.

What's it going to be like
fighting the nips,

and who is this man,
Douglas MacArthur,
your new commander?

Let's take a look at the general
who in a few short months...

has turned the tide
toward victory.

Colonel Whitney! Yes.
We've been expecting you.

Welcome to New Guinea.
Come in out of the light.
I'm so sorry.

That's all right.
Please, have a seat
right over here.

Excuse me just a moment.
I have to watch
this one section.

Okay, that's more like it.

I understand you're here
to organize Philippine
guerrilla activity?

Yes, yes, that's right.
But you know, I've just
come from Washington.

I must tell you
straight off,

you've done an
absolutely topnotch job
on the general's press.

He's America's hero now,
and no small amount
of credit belongs to you.

Well, we don't want
the home folks to forget
about us out here.

Oh! I don't think you
realize the dimensions
of the excitement.

Here. Letters
from congressmen,
senators,

corporation executives,
even two governors.

And thousands of
just plain folks.

''You are big, B-l-G,

''enough to do a complete
housecleaning...

''of parasitic bureaucrats
in Washington.

''As long as the war is on,
only a military figure
like yourself...

can unseat the man
in the White House.''

There's one from
a lady in New Jersey
I want you to read.

Excuse me a minute. I just
want to look at this closing.
Oh, sure.

Just remember, America's
greatest combat general
will be leading you into battle.

''Hit 'em where they ain't.''
That's his motto.

This is the MacArthur touch,

combining sea and air power
as never before,

he's leapfrogging right over
the enemy's strongholds
to cut their chow line...

all the way to the Philippines.

Now you get your chance to
fulfill the immortal pledge:

I came through,
and I shall return.

[Film Ends
With Fanfare]

Good!
Good!

Some exciting
stuff there.
Thank you.

Okay on this one
to Washington.

Wow! President MacArthur.
I like the sound of that.

Only question is,
how does it sound to MacArthur?

[MacArthur]
You know that I have no
political ambitions whatsoever.

General... General,
this country's
always had a hero.

Washington, Lincoln,
Lindbergh.

Now you.

It's in all
the papers.

The Republican ones.
No, sir.
Democratic ones too.

Listen to this woman
in New Jersey.

She says, ''I have never
wanted to sin with any
other man in my life,

but I would with you.''

How about it,
General?

Uh-oh. Here's a little boy
in Moline, Illinois.

Wants to know,
''Why do you carry a cane?

Are you feeble?''

[Men Laughing]

General, what we want to do is
to print, ''I shall return''...

on candy bars,
matchbooks, chewing gum,
sewing kits and pencils,

and drop them
on the Philippines
to boost morale.

First-rate idea.
Yes, sir.

But back in Washington,
the Office of War Information
wants to know if,

before things get going,

you'd be amenable
to a small revision
of the wording.

What sort of a revision?

Well, sir, they feel that
''We shall return''
is more to the point.

''We shall return''?
Yes, sir.

I fail to see what purpose
that would serve.

[MacArthur]
Why does Roosevelt want me
at Pearl Harbor?

What's he up to?

Why haven't I been told
what this is all about?

I'm perfectly willing to discuss
strategy with Admiral Nimitz,
if that's what they want.

I suspect Roosevelt
has been pulling some strings
to keep me in the dark.

You know, he's always
favored the navy.

[Whistle Blowing]

[Whistling Stops]

[Cheering]

That's our general.

And you should see
the fire-engine red car
he just drove up in.

Douglas MacArthur
starring Douglas MacArthur.

He keeps me waiting
half an hour, and then he gets
a bigger reception than I did.

Now I see what
Eisenhower meant.

He said he spent nine
long years with MacArthur...

studying dramatics!

Excuse me, sir.
Would you look this way?

Keep talking
and act natural.

You're looking well,
Douglas. Tell me
about your family.

Just fine, thank you,
Mr. President.

Sorry that I couldn't
entertain Eleanor
when she was in Australia.

She enjoyed visiting
with Mrs. MacArthur.

You, as I recall,
were out of town
fighting a war.

Oh, and, Douglas, before
we get down to business,

I'd like to take this
opportunity to present you
with a decoration.

The Order of Merit for
Conspicuous Inspiration...

of the American People.

[Roosevelt
Laughing]

General MacArthur,
we have asked you here because
the Joint Chiefs of Staff...

have been considering
for about a year,
without a decision,

the next step to be taken
in the Pacific war.

The president has decided he
would like to hear firsthand...

the views of his commanders
in chief in the field.

Admiral Nimitz, would you
please present the plan prepared
by you and Admiral King.

Yes, sir.

In our westward drive
across the Pacific,

the navy's
consistent goal...

has been to cut Japan's
line of communication.

Now, as you know, the central
Pacific offensives...

have taken under control
the Gilbert, the Marshall,
and the Mariana Island groups.

In our view,
the sound strategy
for early victory...

is to occupy the western Pacific
and seize Formosa,

both to control
the Formosa Strait...

and as a jumping-off point
against Japan.

Now, this means bypassing...

the main Philippine island
of Luzon...

until Formosa is secured.

After General MacArthur's
troops...

have seized
the southern Philippines,

the access of advance
that should get
the highest priority...

is the central Pacific offensive
toward Formosa.

General MacArthur
could then move into Luzon...

and recapture Manila after
my forces have taken Formosa.

In fact,
with the fall of Japan,

the liberation
of the northern Philippines,

including Manila,

will follow de facto, without
any need for force of arms.

We therefore propose
to invade Formosa...

at the earliest
opportunity.

And my planners
are convinced...

that a target date
of March 1, '45,

is not unreasonable.

Well, Douglas,
how does it sound to you?

I'm a soldier, and I'll
hold the horse if so ordered.

To bypass isolated islands
is one thing,

but to leave
in your rear...

250,000
Japanese troops...

drawing their sustenance
from the Philippines,

involves serious
and unnecessary risks.

From Luzon,
I can clamp a blockade...

on all supplies
from the south to Japan,

thus forcing her
to an early capitulation.

Therefore, I propose...

that we land
at Leyte Beach on Luzon,

and then carry
the fight to Manila.

Given a successful landing,
aren't you afraid of a long
and bloody campaign?

With the kind of
performance and support...

provided thus far
by the navy,

I can be in Manila
in five weeks...

from the day my troops
step ashore on the beaches,

and well before
next March.

General, how can
you say that?

Because for two years, Filipino
guerrillas have been working...

behind the Japanese lines to
set the stage for our landings.

It's your position to know,
but I can't conscientiously
agree with this estimate.

To take Luzon would
demand heavier losses
than we can stand.

It seems to me
we should bypass it.

In my two years of fighting
in the southwest Pacific area,

and they have been
long, hard years,

fewer Americans
have been killed than
in the single battle of Anzio.

The days of the frontal
attack are over.

Only your mediocre
commanders use it.

Your good commanders
do not turn in heavy losses.

[Roosevelt] Douglas,
Admiral Nimitz's victories
have been no less than your own.

Franklin, all the years
we've known each other,

I don't believe
I told you how my father
won his Medal of Honor.

No, you never did.
But you're about to
do it now, aren't you?

It was during the Battle
of Missionary Ridge.

At the height of the fighting,
he saw the flag go down.

As others around him faltered,
he seized up the colors...

and rallied
the troops to victory.

Admiral Nimitz is one
of our greatest admirals.

But just now,
as I listened to the plan,

I thought I saw our flag
going down.

Oh, did you?

Mr. President,
had we the will to do so,

we could have saved Bataan and
Corregidor in the first place!

To sacrifice Luzon a second time
cannot be condoned or forgiven.

My dear General,

bypassing Luzon is not
synonymous with sacrificing...

But bypassing Luzon
has implications
which stain American honor.

Do you realize what
theJapanese propagandists are
telling the Filipino people?

That Americans will never
shed their blood...

to save the colored peoples
of the earth!

Your zeal is understandable.
I admire it.

But we can't
let it interfere...

with a workable
Pacific strategy.

''I give to the Philippines
my solemn pledge...

''that their freedom
will be redeemed.

''Entire resources
of men and material
of the United States...

stand behind that pledge.''

Your words, sir.

Mr. President,

General MacArthur's points
are well taken,

and I'm sure that
the Joint Chiefs will wish
to consider them very carefully.

I shall return.

I am going back there next fall
if I have to paddle a canoe.

If your decision be
to bypass Luzon with
its millions of people,

thousands of American
prisoners of war,

to continue to languish there
in agony and despair,

I daresay that the American
public would be so aroused...

that they would register
complete resentment against you
at the polls next fall.

Arthur!
Arthur Prettyman!

[Roosevelt]
Get me an aspirin tablet.
No, no, make it two.

Nobody can talk me
into a headache the way
General MacArthur can.

Gentlemen, I think
it's time to call a recess.

It's been a fatiguing day.
Indeed it has, sir.

Recess was my favorite time
in school.

It's getting
to be that way in war.

[Roosevelt Coughing]

Douglas.
Yes, Mr. President?

Why haven't you come home
all these years?

Well, I've had
my hands full out here.

The country
has evolved,

grown mature.

Change is inevitable,
you know.

The things I value
never change.

My only regret is that my son
has never seen his country.

He's never been home.

Where is that
for you?

Well, in a sense,
the army is home.

Even my swaddling clothes
were khaki.

Mainly l...

I think of West Point
as home.

The lecture halls,

the football fields
where I became a man.

And l...

I also see a terrace
overlooking Manila Bay.

Yes, the Philippines
are also home.

I appreciate and understand
your feelings, Douglas.

Now, I shall inform
the Joint Chiefs of Staff,

upon my return home,
that I have had two
excellent briefings.

I'm sure they'll be
both pleased and delighted.

And I shall ask them to make
their decision promptly.

Thank you.

I'd like to return to my command
as soon as possible.

For 40 years,
I've held a firm conviction...

that a commander's place
is at the scene of the battle.

I agree with you
entirely, Douglas.

That is why I am here.

[Man]
''Southwest Pacific forces...

''to invade Leyte.

Target date
advanced to 20 October. ''

Hot damn, we got it!

This'll make
the old man happy.

He'll be returning
to the Philippines two months
earlier than he expected.

Sergeant, I want you to get this
out immediately, if not sooner,

to all top command
headquarters.

Good morning, sir.
Good morning,
General.

Earplugs, sir.
Thank you.

Good morning,
Mr. President.
Good morning, General.

President Osmena,
earplugs for your ears.
Thank you.

I hope to hell they do
as well on the beaches
as they did in training.

I don't think
you have to worry
about that, General.

I know the 5th Cavalry.

When I was a little boy,
my father was a captain
at Fort Selden,

New Mexico territory.

Geronimo, the Apache scourge,
was on the loose,

and it was a troop
from this same 5th Cavalry
that rode through to help us.

They fought then.
They'll fight now.

And they'll win.

Look at that, Mr. President.

The second wave
is going in upright.

Our intelligence reports
said the Japanese wouldn't
let us on the beach.

But just look at those boys!
Nothing will stop them!

Where's my landing craft?
I'm going ashore.

I had it delayed, sir.
Heavy enemy mortar fire
on the beach.

I felt it was unsafe for
the commander in chief...

The landing craft,
Captain.
Aye, aye, sir.

President Osmena,
you're home at last.

Follow me.

Correspondents, please
stay in the rear until after
the general makes his statement.

No questions...
Gerry, where are you
going with that?

I'm gonna get a better shot
down the beach, sir.

I want that camera where it was.
I wanna see that wreckage
in the background.

The general will think
this smoke is marvelous!

Get back.
Correspondents, back.

Low angle, remember.

Right over there.
Stay.

You see, General,

my people are going to laugh
if I fell in deep water.

I cannot swim!
That's not so bad,
Mr. President.

Everyone's about to see
that I can't walk on water.

People of the Philippines,

I have returned.

By the grace
of Almighty God,

our forces
stand again...

on Philippine soil.

The hour of your
redemption is here.

Rally to me.

Let the indomitable spirit...

of Bataan and Corregidor
lead on.

As the lines of battle
roll forward,

rise and strike...

for your homes and hearts.

Strike...

for future generations...

of your sons and daughters.

Strike in the name...

of your sacred dead.

Strike!
Let no heart be faint.

Let every arm be steel!

The divine guidance of God
points the way.

Follow in His name
to the Holy Grail
of righteous victory!

Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa!
Hold it! Hold it!

General, sir, you've
arrived at the front lines.

Well, I see our boys
fully 100 yards
up ahead.

Sir, that's only
a forward patrol.
The men are under enemy fire.

You'd be in extreme hazard
if you go on up
past this point.

There's Japs
right up there.

You can't fight 'em
if you can't see 'em, son.

Let's go.

[Soldier]
I don't believe it.

That's the first time
I've ever seen a commander
in chief take the point.

Yeah, he's the
greatest general
since Sergeant York.

[Gunfire]

[Explosion]

Cease fire!
Cease fire!

Come on.

Will you look at him?

Does he really think
that he can't get hurt?

Goddamn it,
of course he does!

I've got a little surprise
for the general.

Morning, gentlemen.
Good morning, sir.

Sir,

pursuant to
an act of Congress,

you have been promoted
to the rank of
General of the Army.

Such promotion
to take effect
18 December, 1944,

by order of
the president.

Sir, we thought that you should
get these on as soon as you can.

[Explosion]

[Man]
You got your fifth
star, General.

Well, I have no objections.
I like the look of'em.

Congratulations,
sir.
Thank you, Court.

[MacArthur]
I think it would
be a good idea...

to take that mortar out
before someone gets hurt.

Follow me. Come around
so we can get the general.

[Prisoners Cheering]

So good to see you, General.
Finally returned,
but a little late.

So good to see you.
Thank you.

Get me some more shots
of these people.

Hello, sonny.
Aah.

You know, I've got a boy at home
just about your size.

I have.
Here we are.

[Man]
Nice going, General.

Survivors of the
death march are in here.

[Cheering]

[Clapping,
Chattering]

[Coughing]

General, you really
made it back.

Oh, I'm never gonna
forget this.

We're long overdue, sir.
Long overdue.
It's okay.

We knew you'd come back, sir.
We knew you wouldn't forget us.
Thank you.

We're a little late.
I'm sorry.

Colonel Fox here, sir.
We're sure glad to see you, sir.

We're a little late.
I'm sorry.
Yes, sir.

General?
General?

[Coughing]
General?

Thank God you're here.

We're long overdue.
Long overdue.

- Pedro!
- Yes, sir.

I'm sorry I'm so
unpresentable, sir.

You never looked
so good to me, Castro.

Ladies and gentlemen,

if you've ever had
a load of hay fall on you,

then you know
how I feel right now.

I don't know if any of you pray,
but if you do, you could
pray God to help me.

[Man]
Good luck, Mr. President.

I wish you didn't
have to call me that.

I never felt so out of place
in all my life.

[Man On Radio]
Here is the caisson
of Franklin Delano Roosevelt,

now making the turn
off of 15th Street...

into Pennsylvania Avenue.

God give me strength
to do this.

And there is
the flag-draped coffin.

The horses with black blankets
under their saddles.

The horses
on the right side,

unmounted.

And it's moving
ever so slowly...

as the crowd stands...

to pay their
last respects...

to the man who was their leader,
their commander in chief,

their friend.

Mr. President.
Hello, General.

We need your
authorization.
What have you got?

Well, the President...

Mr. Roosevelt
never told me.

They never told me.

We spent months
of staff time,

tens of millions of dollars
in preparation...

for the greatest invasion
in history,

and when we're
primed and ready,

they send
an air force officer...

to tell me they've
constructed
this-this apparatus!

General, what happens
if it doesn't work?

What happens
if it does?

[Knocking]
Yes?

Excuse me.

Admiral Halsey,
the representatives
are all on board, sir.

The British commander
of Singapore has just been
released from a prison camp.

Percival. Good, good.
What about that
Russian fellow?

General Derevyanko.
He's here.

[Chuckles]
What gall!

The Soviets declared war after
we'd won it, and now they want
to horn in on the surrender.

There's someone else
here too, sir.

General.

Jim.

General.
Jim!

I'm so glad to see you.

General Wainwright,
I don't think you know
Admiral Halsey.

Welcome aboard, sir.
Thank you, sir.

Jonathan.
Good to see you.
Yes, of course.

And Admiral Nimitz.

General.
Admiral.

Come and sit down,
Jim.

I'm sorry.
No, don't talk
like that.

I've disgraced you
and the army.
You have not.

We were starving.
You don't have
to say anything, Jim.

I had to shoot my horse.

I realize they'll never
restore me to active duty.

That's not true, Jim.
You can have
whatever you want.

Command of a corps.
That's all I want.

Your old corps is yours
whenever you're ready,
General.

[Camera Shutter Clicking]

Sid.
Yes, sir?

What did I do
with Jean's pen?

Here we go, sir.

[MacArthur]
We are gathered here,

representatives
of the major warring powers,

to conclude
this solemn agreement
whereby peace may be restored.

The issues have
been determined upon
the battlefields of the world...

and hence are not
for our discussion or debate.

The representative
of the emperor ofJapan,

and of theJapanese Imperial
general headquarters,

now sign
the instrument of surrender.

General Sutherland,
will you show him
where to sign, please?

The supreme commander
of the Allied powers...

will now sign on behalf
of all the nations
at war with Japan.

Will Generals Percival
and Wainwright
come forward, please?

[Foghorn Blasts]

The representative of
the United States of America
will now sign.

The representative of
the Republic of China
will now sign.

The representative of
the United Kingdom
will now sign.

The representative of Canada
will now sign.

The representative
of France...

The representative of Australia
will now sign.

The representative
of the Netherlands
will now sign.

The representative
of New Zealand
will now sign.

The representative
of the Union of Soviet
Socialist Republics...

will now sign.

Today...

the guns are silent.

A great tragedy
has ended.

I speak...

for the thousands of silent lips
forever stilled...

among the jungles
and the beaches...

and in the deep waters
of the Pacific...

which marked the way.

I pray...

that an omnipotent
Providence...

will summon
all persons of goodwill...

to the realization
of the utter futility of war.

We have known
the bitterness of defeat,

the exultation of triumph,
and from both we have learned...

that there can be
no turning back.

We must go forward
to preserve in peace...

what we won in war.

The destructiveness
of the war potential...

through progressive advances
in scientific discovery...

has in fact
now reached a point...

which revises
the traditional concept of war.

War...

the most
malignant scourge...

and greatest sin
of mankind...

can no longer be controlled,
only abolished.

We are in a new era.

If we do not devise...

some greater
and more equitable means...

of settling disputes
between nations...

Armageddon will be
at our door.

We have had
our last chance.

[MacArthur] Court,
I want you to tell Washington
that I'm transferring food...

and medical supplies
to theJapanese authorities.

- Yes, sir.
- The next priority
is to get those men home,

get them to work
rebuilding this country.

I don't know.

In terms of communication,
transport, industrial plant,
there isn't any country.

Yeah, well, they'll have
to build a new one.

A new Japan
with new ideas...

but preserving
the best of the old.
Yes, sir.

All of our troops
will be judged by me...

for their conduct as men
and as soldiers.

I want them to understand
that the Japanese...

must be treated
with courtesy and respect.

Alexander,
Caesar, Napoleon...

all failed as occupiers
of conquered countries...

because of the harshness
of their policies.

I do not intend to fail.

We're coming up
on the palace now.

I wonder whether
it wouldn't be a good idea...

to summon the emperor
to explain your policies.

Show of authority
to the Japanese people.

No. After a lifetime
of studying the Oriental mind,

I can tell you that I must not
directly challenge...

the authority
of the emperor.

He lives there in that palace
across that moat, half god,
half king.

His decrees limit the degree
of each man's freedom.

His word is absolute.

The time will come
when Hirohito,
of his own volition,

will cross that moat
and come to me,

and that will mark
the beginning of the end...

of his absolute power
over the Japanese people.

[Crowd Chattering]

Good morning, sir.
Good morning, Court.

Morning, gentlemen.
I've been going over
these additional suggestions...

from the State Department
on the occupation.

I have to work them in
with our own task force
recommendations.

General Marquat,
what's happening
with land reform?

The landowners
are having difficulty
with their tenant farmers.

Oh, they are?
I don't want to ever hear
the word ''tenant farmer'' again.

I want these
privileged landowners
stripped of their holdings.

We'll break up
these great estates.
Yes, sir, but...

They've been squeezing
the farmers dry
far too long.

But, sir,
they're very strong.
[Chuckles]

They may not be
as strong as they think.

And the right-wing
industrialists are the fellows
who led this country to ruin.

I want them expunged.

''Expunged,''sir?
Don't you think that you...

All in the best possible
legal language, of course.

[All Chuckle]

I want to see
a labor movement
take root.

Labor movement?
That's right.

The workers must have
a strong voice in
the means of production.

General, pardon me,
but this reminds me
somewhat of...

Well, it's like...
Like what?

Like the New Deal.

Ah. Well, this is Japan,
not America.

But considering
her fascist past...

it might be good to move her
just a little left of center,
don't you agree?

Yes, sir.
Of course, we wouldn't
call it the New Deal.

No, sir.
[Laughs]

Now...

Japanese women.
What about them?

They must be given
the vote.
[Whistles]

The men are not
gonna like that.
Neither did our men at first.

General, I'm sorry,
but it's too much to expect
a feudal country likeJapan...

to swallow
a whole new constitution
in one gulp.

Their cabinet
will never go for it.

The old cabinet wouldn't,
but we've yet to hear
from the new prime minister.

[MacArthur] And may I
congratulate you on your
appointment, Mr. Shidehara.

Thank you.

General, I extend to you
my gratitude...

for the penicillin
your medical services
made available to me.

It aided me
in recovering from
a serious illness.

Happy to be
of assistance.

Diseases are conquered,
sir...

even very old
epidemic diseases.

Yes?
Sometimes, though...

the cure is slow
and painful.

Yes, of course.

Is there some
particular difficulty?

General,
our new constitution...

must forbid any
military establishment
in Japan whatsoever.

There must not
be an army...

a navy or an air force.

We must renounce now
and forever...

the use of force
as an instrument
of national power.

- Mr. Prime Minister,
I can only...
- Please. Hear me out.

Of course.

In this way...

and only this way...

can we eliminate forever...

the power of
the militarists.

Only in this way...

can we reassure the world
that Japan...

no longer has warlike design
against any people.

We are a poor country...

with 70 million person
to feed and clothe.

We cannot afford armaments.

We cannot afford
the trapping of power.

And never, never again
can we suffer...

Nagasaki and Hiroshima.

Let us renounce war, sir.

Please.

Let us renounce war
in the new constitution...

and forever.

Mr. Shidehara...

no man detests war...

more than this soldier.

My abhorrence for it
reached its height...

with the development
of the atom bomb.

No man, sir, could be
more moved by your offer...

or more determined
to accept it.

It's damned embarrassing.

I've been telling Congress
for months we need
400,000 men in Japan.

MacArthur holds
a press conference, says he can
make do with half that number.

General, did he clear
this with you?
No, sir.

There's been some
misunderstanding.
Not by me there isn't.

I invited MacArthur to
come home. I wanted to discuss
occupation policy with him,

and I expected him to
back up our position before
the congressional committees.

So I held out
the big carrot to him.

I told him we'd set up a series
of welcome-home demonstrations
and a joint session of congress.

You know what he replied?

He said he thought the situation
was just too dangerous there
for him to come home right now.

He was just too busy. That's
what he said to the president of
the United States, damn it!

[MacArthur Chuckling]

General Derevyanko,
I must say...

I've missed you.

Only short visit to Moscow,
a meeting with my superiors,

a holiday on Caspian Sea
with family.

Good. I was afraid
that Stalin had
had you shot.

No, no.
Why do you say that?

Would Truman
have you shot?

Sometimes I wonder.

General, it's come
to my attention that several
hundreds of thousands...

of Japanese prisoners
fell into your hands...

in the closing days
of the war.

You understand that
the Japanese authorities...

and my own superiors as well
are pressing me for
an accounting.

Ah, we have some small numbers
of enemy troops in our hands,
that is true.

But I can assure
that in this matter,
as you know,

my government will abide
by the decisions of
the Potsdam Conference.

Yes. When will they
be repatriated?

Soon.
[Chuckles]

In that connection,
my government is making plans...

for the occupation
of Hokkaido Island.

Hokkaido Island is occupied.
It is under my command.

The Soviet Union
is a coequal ally.

It is my government's
intention...

to occupy Hokkaido
on its own behalf.

As the supreme commander,
I represent all Allied powers.

We are fully prepared
to commence our
rightful occupation...

whether you permit or not.

You see, the terms of
my command are absolute.

This is not Germany.

I will not countenance
separate spheres of
influence or occupation...

of the home islands of Japan
as long as I'm in command.

Well, then, sir,
my government...

will insist upon
a new supreme commander.

If the day comes
when Soviet troops...

attempt to land on
Japanese soil without
my expressed consent...

I will throw the entire
Soviet delegation in Tokyo
into jail.

Including you...

General Derevyanko.

I believe you would.

And I believe
this is where you get off.

[Man Narrating Newsreel]
As the historic changes continue
to transform Japanese life...

it was becoming
evident this week
that the women of Japan...

were winning their fight to end
family contract marriages,

the right to equal
cigarette and sake rations,

and the right to vote.

Dress fashions
are not the only thing
that have changed radically.

In the newly established
election, 13 million women
went to the polls,

and in an unprecedented sweep,
elected 38 women lawmakers...

to the house
of representatives.

[Man]
I regret to say something
terrible has happened.

A prostitute,
Your Excellency,

has been elected
to house of representative.

- Prostitute?
- How many votes
did she receive?

256,000.

She must have
an unusually loyal clientele.

[Newsreel Narrator]
Now after two and a half years
of painstaking work...

the war crimes trial in Tokyo
comes to an end.

As America prepares for another
presidential election year...

Japan celebrates 1948...

with the first anniversary
of its new constitution.

Mmm... not these.

I think this one's the best.
I thought you might
like that one.

[Chuckling]

That's fine.

Court, what time is it
in Wisconsin?

- I can never figure out...
- Polls closed an hour ago,
and I wish I had been there.

- I would have had one of
these on every lamppost.
- No, you don't, Vic.

No electioneering within
50 feet of the candidate.

Why, General, you're not
a candidate. Just another
available citizen.

Excuse me, General,
but I'm from Wisconsin,

and my folks
are voting for you.

Matter of fact, I would be,
too, only I'm not old enough.
Well, thank you, son.

All the precincts?

This just came in
on the wire.

You only won
eight delegates.

Eight delegates out of 27.

It's their loss, General.

You would have made
a great president.

Well...

what's on the calendar
for today?

[Laughter]
[Man] Here's to four
more years, Mr. President!

[Group]
Hear! Hear!

[Group]
Happy days are here again

The skies above
are clear again

So let's sing a song
of cheer again

Happy days
are here again

All together
shout it now

There's no one
who can doubt it now

So let's tell the world
about it now
Happy days...

[Newsreel Narrator]
Roaring their approval here
at the 1949 Tokyo World Series.

The Giants are
the heavy favorites this year.

Meanwhile, as the Japanese
economy continued its painful
but steady recovery...

the mood of the nation
began to reflect
the growing cultural change.

[Swing]

[Cancan]

[Ringing]

Yes?
[Man] General, I'm sorry to
disturb you at this late hour.

We have a dispatch
from South Korea.

The North Koreans have struck
in great strength across the
boundary at the 38th parallel.

In great strength?
Yes, sir.

[MacArthur]
Assemble the staff.
I'll be there presently.

Why, General,
what's happened?

One last gift
to an old warrior.

[Truman]
My fellow Americans, tonight
we face a serious situation.

On the advice of the best
military minds I could muster,

I have decided to commit
United States ground forces
to the Korean peninsula.

We are not at war.

Acting in concert with
our United Nations allies,

we are engaged
in a police action
to counteract...

a bandit raid
into South Korea by
North Korean Communists.

[Distant Explosions]

Would you like to use
my binoculars, sir?

No, thank you.

I've seen all
I have to see.

General,
what happens next, sir?

My father was asked
that same question...

when he found himself
surrounded in the Civil War.

He said, ''The situation
is simple and apparent.

''The enemy is closing on me
from three sides,

and my plan
is to fight like hell.''

[Male TV Announcer] Now with
the threat of annihilation
temporarily forestalled,

MacArthur pays
a worried visit to
Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek,

leader of
the Nationalist Chinese
on Formosa.

[Truman] Son of a bitch,
that's a goose step
they're doing.

[Announcer]
Here it is felt the foundation
is being constructed...

for Sino-American
military cooperation.

Damn it! Didn't we send
MacArthur to Formosa
to do just the opposite?

Call off Chiang and tell him
he couldn't send his troops into
mainland China or anywhere?

We didn't send him
over there to forge
his own personal alliances.

Hell, that sounds like
we're concluding some kind
of mutual defense treaty.

Mr. Secretary,
I want you to radio a message
to His Majesty MacArthur.

What's the matter with them
back there?

Have they lost their nerve?
I know all about Chiang.

If he had two horns
and a tail...

we should use him
as long as he's anticommunist.

We can reform him later.

It's my destiny
to defeat Communism,

and only God or those
Washington politicians
will keep me from doing it.

[Truman]
You didn't read this one,
did you?

It's a letter to
the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

''Nothing could be
more fallacious than
the threadbare argument...

''by those who advocate
appeasement and defeatism
in the Pacific...

''that if we defend Formosa,
we alienate continental Asia.

Signed, Douglas MacArthur.''

You hear that?
Appeasement. Defeatism.

That's me he's talking about.
Alvin, can you explain why
he's done this?

No, Mr. President,
I'm afraid I can't.

Did any of you know
in advance this letter
was gonna be printed?

I want it withdrawn
right now.

Good morning, General.
Whitney.

I haven't seen that pipe
in a long time.

In looking over your positions
this morning, General Walker,

I saw that plans are afoot
to conduct retrograde movements
and abandon the perimeter.

Effective immediately,
these plans will be scrapped.

The present line
will be held.

We don't have any perimeter,
General. Just a few
scattered strong points.

As soon as I put out one fire,
another two get started.

I know that you're
outnumbered in this thing,
but sending you more troops...

so you can hang on to
this little corner of Korea...

is not good enough.

Well, I'll settle for
a regimental combat team.

Can't do it, Walt.
We need every man we've got.

General Shepherd...

is putting together
an overwhelming amphibious
assault on Inchon.

- Inchon?
- In one stroke, it'll cut
across the enemy's rear,

sever his supply lines
and isolate all of his forces
south of Seoul.

Without munitions, supplies,
communications,

the North Koreans
will be paralyzed.

Inchon is the worst...
Then you can break out
of that corner,

move north
and overpower them.

I think that Inchon
will finish the North Koreans.

- What?
- It'll never be approved.

[Man]
Inchon has some of
the highest tides in the world,

but only once a month
do they reach a height...

sufficient for our
largest landing craft to go in.

There are maybe two
three-hour periods...

when MacArthur
can put troops ashore.

Which is not enough time
for a major amphibious landing.

Exactly. This is little more
than a trench in the mudflats.

If every possible
handicap were listed,
Inchon has them all.

However, gentlemen, MacArthur
claims that these very handicaps
are what he's counting on.

He feels that the enemy
won't believe that anyone...

would try to surmount
such obstacles.

The element of surprise
will be his most valuable ally.

What do you think
of His Majesty's plan?

It's daring, it's brilliant
and it's dangerous.

Court, you remember
I once said,

''The bullet has
not yet been cast
with my name on it''?

I certainly do.

Inchon could be
that bullet.

There's 70,000 men
out there...

waiting to hit Inchon.

As of this moment,
the president has not personally
approved this mission.

The last communication I had
from the Joint Chiefs...

said that he'd
been ''informed.''

He vacillated, delayed.

Finally gave
begrudging permission...

to proceed here.

Powerful enemies, Court.

Who advised Truman
that I was insubordinate
when I visited Chiang Kai-shek?

Who persuaded him
to force me...

to withdraw my letters to
the Veterans of Foreign Wars?

Who are those
who seek to humiliate me
and undermine my authority?

The Communists
and their fellow travelers
in the British Foreign Office.

If Inchon fails,
they will have a jubilee.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff
approved this invasion because
your arguments were valid.

Yes, they were valid.

But if the enemy is ready
with a superior force...

we will not be able
to disengage...

without suffering
enormous losses.

We could lose
this entire fleet.

This date could be marked
as one of the greatest military
tragedies in American history.

General,
I don't think for one...
Are you surprised, Court?

I'm sharing my doubts with you
after all these years.

[Sardonic Chuckle]
Did you think
I was invulnerable?

- It just came in.
We've got Wolmi-do Island.
- What?

- Wolmi-do is ours.
- It took my boys 58 minutes.

Ho ho! Ha ha!

Good work, General Shepherd.
Good work.

I'll be the first
to admit it.

He did a hell of a job,
and here's to him.
Hear, hear.

What's the matter, Alvin?
Don't you like
the taste of victory?

Bourbon's not bad, either.
[Chuckles]

Yes, Inchon is
a masterstroke.
Damn right it is.

Now that's what
I call ''generaling.''

I've heard that the
North Koreans have turned tail
and are running for home.

It's not the North Koreans
I'm worried about.

Mr. Panika,
the Indian ambassador to Peking,

informs us that
any American troops
above the 38th parallel...

will provoke an intervention
by the Chinese.

Yesterday we monitored
this very same warning
over Radio Peking.

We've heard that
sort of thing before.
How serious are they?

Frankly, we don't know.

What's MacArthur
say about it?
He's not worried.

He's calling it
political blackmail.
He's probably right.

Mr. President, let's watch
our step. If we expand the war
in Korea to include Red China,

we're up against
the Soviets,
A-bomb and all.

Alvin. You go on
ahead to Wake Island.
Make the usual preparations.

I think it's time
I had a talk with
General MacArthur.

I've never met the man.
Yes, sir.

Wake Island,
Mr. President.

[Truman]
By golly, that was quick.

How about one of you fellas
radio on ahead?

See if
the big general's there.

The president should be greeted.
He shouldn't be the greeter.

I don't see him,
Mr. President.

They probably had
a little trouble getting
him down off his cross.

[No Audible Dialogue]

Wait a minute. There he is.
That son of a bitch isn't
in uniform, he's in costume.

I don't know why it is
an old man like that,
and a five-star general to boot,

has to run around dressed up
like a 19-year-old
second lieutenant.

[Laughing]
I'll tell you one thing, if he
was an officer in my outfit...

I'd bust him so fast
he wouldn't know what happened.

And making me wait.

He can do that to Harry Truman,
but not to his
commander in chief.

General, I've been
a long time meeting you.

I hope it won't be
so long next time.
So do I.

General Bradley.
MacArthur.

Bess sent along a plum cake
for the missus.

How very thoughtful.
Thank you, sir.

And how are Mrs. Truman
and your daughter?

They're fine.
Just fine, thank you.

General,
I've read a little...

military history, and it's
a pleasure to congratulate you
on your success at Inchon.

That was the work
of a master strategist.

Thank you, Mr. President.
Coming from you,
that's a real tribute.

And I'd like to apologize
for any misunderstanding
raised by my trip to Formosa.

Don't think any more about that.
I understand your feelings.

I was a captain in
Battery D in World War I,

and that was the center
of the war effort for me.

Perhaps you should have
stayed in the army.

[Laughs]
Nope, I don't think so.

I've heard it's
a bad idea for army men
to dabble in politics.

Mr. President, you know
that I'm not involved
in politics in any way.

I did let the politicians
make a chump out of me
in the '48 elections.

If a general is going
to be running against you,

his name will be Eisenhower,
not MacArthur.

Eisenhower?

That man doesn't know
as much about politics
as a pig does about Sunday.

[Chuckles]

Uh, General...

I came over here
to listen to your ideas...

on the rehabilitation
of postwar Korea.

Mind if I smoke,
Mr. President?

No, I suppose I've had
more smoke blown in my face
than any man alive.

The formal resistance,
I believe...

should end in Korea
by Thanksgiving.

And now that we've authorized
military operations
above the parallel,

do you include North Korea
in that estimate?
Yes, I do.

By the time I'm finished,
we should have the entire
peninsula under control.

General, you do
understand the limitations
on your directive...

from the Joint Chiefs
of Staff?

No military operations
beyond the Chinese
and Soviet borders...

and no American troops
near those borders.

Yes, I believe I understand
that directive fully...

and our boys should
be home by Christmas,
Mr. President,

provided that Red China
stays out of the conflict.

Well, I'm glad
to hear that, General.

I've got the whole
United Nations on my back.

A couple dozen members
have got troops under you
in Korea,

and the bunch of them
are scared stiff that we're
pushing them into World War III.

There's no doubt
that Stalin's pact
with Mao Tse-tung...

pledges that the Soviet A-bomb
backs the Chinese if we should
tangle with them.

You mentioned
Chinese intervention.
Is there any chance of that?

Mr. President,
you must have...

more complete intelligence
on that matter than I have.

- Anything that I would say
would be purely speculative.
- Of course.

I'm sure that you
also realize that...

any question
involving China...

requires a political evaluation,
not simply a military one.

Our intelligence
on the Chinese is limited.

They're believed to have
about 300,000 men in Manchuria,

but I doubt they could get
more than 50,000 across
the Yalu River.

They'd be highly vulnerable
to our air attacks.

So in my opinion, the chances
of Red intervention...

are minimal.

And if they were to try
to get down to the parallel,

they'd be walking into disaster,
a crushing defeat.

[Crowd Cheering]

Well, I've, uh...
I've never had a more
satisfactory conference...

since I've been president.

General MacArthur is
a member of the government
of the United States,

and he's loyal
to that government
and to the United Nations,

and he's loyal to the president
and his foreign policy,

and he's confident
that the fighting
in Korea will soon be over.

[Applause]

[Man]
Hey! What the hell is this?

Turkey!
Real turkey!

What'd you expect,
shithead?
It's Thanksgiving.

Best thing about Thanksgiving
is eating white meat!

[Laughter]

I tell you,
if I had my way...
[Gunfire]

[Shouts, Groans]

[Man Shouting In Korean]

General Bradley called me
at 6: 15 this morning with a
message from General MacArthur.

He says there are
260,000 Chinese out there
against him.

He says he's stymied.

Says he has to go over
on the defensive.

It isn't a matter of
a few volunteers. The Chinese
have jumped in with both feet.

Well, what are they saying
about me in Washington?

Sir, to be candid about it,
they think you walked into
a Chinese trap.

That was a deliberate
misunderstanding.

The defeat of the North Koreans
was decisive.

In the face of this victory,
the Chinese Communists...

have committed the most
offensive act of international
lawlessness in history!

We are now facing
a new, fresh,

highly trained army!

What does Truman mean
by calling this
a ''police action''?

Isn't it a fact
that the casualties
are mounting daily?

This ''police action''...

has almost destroyed
the Korean nation.

For what?

I've seen as much blood
and disaster as any man
now living.

Every time
I come out of here...

I could just...
just be sick!

It curdles my stomach.

Does he intend
to let this go on?

By what sophistry
of reason?

Sir, he has the Russians
to consider...

and our allies.

General Bradley
feels the same way.

He says that a war
with China would
be the wrong war...

at the wrong time
in the wrong place
and with the wrong enemy.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff.

I requested permission
to bomb the Chinese airfields
in Manchuria.

The request was denied.

I requested permission
for hot pursuit
of enemy aircraft...

into their privileged sanctuary
above the Yalu.

That request was denied.

I requested permission to bomb
the Yalu bridges to keep
the Chinese out of Korea.

They said,

you might bomb...

the southern half
of the bridges only.

In my 50 years
of military service...

I have never learned
how to bomb half a bridge!

It's the most imbecilic order
ever given to a commander
in the field.

This...

is appeasement.

Unless some positive
and immediate action
can be taken,

we should withdraw
our forces to Japan.

Forgive me, sir,
but...

there are some
of those back home
who believe...

that it's possible
to regain the offensive
without...

well, without danger
of widening the war.

Without widening the war?

Well, the 8th Army
is Ridgway's now.
He can do what he likes.

It won't do any good.

For the first time
in military history...

a commander has been denied
the use of his military power...

to safeguard the lives
of his soldiers
and the safety of his army.

It leaves me with a sense
of inexpressible... shock.

Well, hallelujah.
Matt Ridgway's retaken Seoul.
What'd I tell you?

[MacArthur]
I wish I could celebrate...

but the war
hasn't been won.

The battle lines
roll up and down,
up and down.

Victory nowhere in sight.

This isn't war.
It's half war.

It's an immoral compromise
with evil.

There's more than dust
settling in Korea, Sid.

It's American blood.

Yes, sir.

Oh, the head of the
United Kingdom mission wants
an appointment with you, sir.

What does he want?

He's worried
that we're getting
desperate in Korea,

and we'll use
the bomb.
Huh!

Probably more worried about
protecting British profits
in Hong Kong...

than in saving lives
in Korea.
I'll shift his

Excuse me, General.
We just got word that
Washington wants you...

to stop all offensive
operations immediately.

What?

They want to affect a political
rather than a military solution.

They're planning to draft
a cease-fire proposal.

They ask for any recommendations
you may have for
minor adjustments...

along your battle lines
to consolidate your position
for adequate defense.

''Minor adjustments''?
What are they
talking about?

Why should
I recommend anything?
This is total capitulation!

Well, sir, in view of
Truman's feeling, you want to
substitute your policy for his.

[MacArthur]
I couldn't substitute
my policy for Mr. Truman's,

because Mr. Truman
doesn't have a policy!

Fine, sir. Why don't you let me
notify them that you're taking
the proposals under study...

No.
I have a better idea.

We'll send a message
to the Chinese commander.

Put it on all the wire services.
I want maximum exposure.

Sir, you have been
specifically prohibited
from issuing any statements.

Sir, that is a direct order
from the president.

And that is part
of a dangerous concept...

that men of the armed forces
owe their primary allegiance...

to these temporary occupants
of the White House,

instead of to the country
and the Constitution
we're sworn to defend!

[Truman] I ought to
kick his insubordinate ass
right in the Sea of Japan.

The lousiest trick he's pulled.
I travel 14,000 miles to reach
an understanding face-to-face,

and he still thinks he can do
what he damn well pleases.
[Alvin] Can you imagine?

He actually sent a message
to the Chinese threatening
to destroy their forces...

unless they were to
negotiate a solution
with him personally.

You know,
there's a story...

where Abe Lincoln was
trying to mount a horse
that was skittish,

and the horse
kicked a hind hoof
into the stirrup.

So Lincoln says to him,
''If you're gonna get on,
I'll get off.''

Well, I'm not
getting off.

I think Roosevelt
should have pulled Wainwright
out of Corregidor...

and left that
five-star brass hat MacArthur
there to be the martyr.

What shall I do with
the cease-fire proposal?

Scrap it. I can't
approach the Chinese on any
political basis, not after this.

That man's trying
to start World War III,
and I'm trying to prevent it.

I'm gonna fire that brass hat
prima donna right now.
Who does he think he is? God?

What do you think
Congress would do if
I relieve the big general?

Congress would
flay you alive.

Fortunately for me,
the Navy outfielder's throw
was also wild,

over the third baseman's head,
and with those two wild throws,

I was able to dash around
the bases into home...

with what turned out to be
the winning run.

Excuse me.
And...
And the final score was...

West Point 4, Annapolis 3.

I think that the loudest cheers
were led by my mother.

She was always there.
[Laughs]

They used to say about us
that we were the first...
the only mother and son...

ever to graduate from
West Point on the same day.

[Laughter]

That was in Annapolis
in the spring of...

[Inaudible Whispering]

Well, Jeannie...

we're going home
at last.

That was the first
varsity baseball game
ever played...

between West Point
and the Naval Academy.

Well, so much for
my baseball career...

and for happy memories.

And now will you...
excuse us, please?

[Crowd Cheering]

I've never seen
anything like it.

The entire city's come out
to celebrate the return
of America 's greatest hero.

Officials estimate from
seven- to ten-million people...

are here on hand,
and that surpasses
Lindbergh's...

and Eisenhower's homecomings
put together.

Schools are out.
The crowd is excited.

The office workers are...
just have taken a holiday.

[Male Announcer #2]
Meanwhile,
in our nation's capital,

the statement from
the Joint Chiefs of Staff
said in part, quote:

''It is fundamental
that all military commanders...

''must be governed by our laws
and the constitutional
guarantee...

of civilian control
over the military.''

When asked to comment,
President Truman said:

People who think they're God
are bound to get into trouble
sooner or later.

You have to understand that
the people of this country are
men and women of common sense,

and whenever anybody gets too
far out of line, the people are
gonna put him out of business.

[Applause]

[MacArthur]
But once war
has been forced upon us...

there is no other
alternative...

than to apply
every available means...

to bring it to a swift end.

War's very object
is victory,

not prolonged indecision.

In war...

there can be no substitute
for victory.

For history teaches us,
with unmistakable emphasis...

that appeasement but begets
new and bloodier war.

Like blackmail,
it lays the basis for new...

and increasingly
greater demands...

until, as in blackmail...

violence becomes
the only alternative.

''Why...''

''Why,'' my soldiers
asked of me,

''surrender military advantages
to an enemy in the field?''

I could not answer.

The magnificence
of the courage...

and fortitude
of the Korean people...

defies description.

They have chosen
to risk death...

rather than slavery.

Their last words
to me were...

''Don't scuttle
the Pacific.''

I am closing my 52 years
of military service.

When I joined the army,
even before the turn
of the century...

it was the fulfillment
of all my boyish hopes
and dreams.

The world
has turned over many times...

since I took the oath
on the plain at West Point...

and the hopes and dreams
have long since vanished.

But I still remember
the refrain...

of one of the most popular
barrack ballads of that day...

which proclaimed
most proudly that...

''Old soldiers never die...

they just... fade away.''

Like the old soldier
of that ballad...

I now close
my military career...

and just... fade away...

an old soldier...

who tried to do his duty...

as God...

gave him the light
to see that duty.

Good-bye.

[Whistles,
Shouts Of Approval]

Good-bye, hell.
He's running for president.
[Clicks Off]

[Male Convention Speaker]
I give you
the greatest war hero...

America has ever known,
our finest leader of men,

our most
brilliant strategist,

a man of inspiration
and a man of action...

I give you the next president
of the United States,

five-star General
of the Army...

Dwight David Eisenhower!

[Crowd Cheering]

What kind of president
do you think he's gonna make?

I think he'll make
a fine president.

He was the best clerk
who ever served under me.

[MacArthur's Voice]
The shadows
are lengthening for me.

Twilight is here.

My days of old have vanished
tone and tint,

they have gone glimmering
through the dreams of things
that were.

Their memory is one...

of wondrous beauty...

watered by tears
and coaxed and caressed...

by the smiles
of yesterday.

I listen vainly
but with thirsty ear...

for the witching melody...

of faint bugles
blowing reveille,

of far drums
beating the long roll.

In my dreams,
I hear the crash of guns,

the rattle of musketry,

the strange
mournful mutter...

of the battlefield.

But in the evening
of my memory...

always I return...

to West Point.

Always there echoes
and re-echoes...

duty...

honor...

country.

Today...

marks my final roll call
with you.

But I want you to know
that when I cross the river...

my last
conscious thoughts...

will be of the Corps...

and the Corps...

and the Corps.

I bid you...

farewell.

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