The star here is Sam Fuller

This is a great war film (I saw it first in its theatrical release), and deserves to be in DVD (like "Siege of Firebase Gloria" should be.)Sam Fuller made a number of war films -- ranging in quality and budget: his last war film was "Big Red One." Fuller made "noir" war films. Knowing something about Fuller helps explain the abrupt and unsatisfying ending of "Marauders": Fuller's original ending was considered too downbeat by the Studio and was cut. A new "rah-rah" ending -- the stock footage -- was added by the Studio. I do not know if the film with Fuller's ending was ever released: I have never seen it and have never read anyone who has. Fuller's film does bear comparison with "Objective Burma," which tells almost the same story with a more fictionalized historical context. Flynn thought it was the best film he was ever in, and he was probably right. "Marauders" is a gritty war film that should be seen by everyone who enjoys the genre.

Great cast, lame script, not filmed in Burma

I have to disagree with folks who like this film. The action scenes are extremely lame. Even the gunfire sounds like blanks, not real shots. The scenery could never be mistaken for Burma, it looks like, well, the Philippines! Despite earnest performances by all concerned, especially Chandler, the script goes nowhere and is merely a string of cliches. The budget must have been tight on this one, and it shows all over. The only decent music is stolen from "Objective Burma", a far superior production. It's too bad, as the cast here could have done fine with a better script and budget.

Another great war movie from Sam Fuller

Merrill's Marauders is an excellent WWII movie dealing with a topic often ignored in war movies covering the Pacific Theater. In 1944, the 5307th Composite Unit, Merrill's Marauders, 3,000 seasoned jungle fighters, march into Burma with the objective of the supply depot at Walawbum and the airfield at Myitkyina. The Marauders must march across hundreds of miles of dense jungle, pushing themselves to their mental and physical limits, battling Japanese troops all the way. Like most Fuller movies, Marauders has plenty of great action scenes as the 5307th trudges across Burma. Along with the excellent battle scenes, Fuller includes several very powerful and moving scenes, specifically when the Marauders are resting in a Burmese village and are approached by the villagers. At a compact 99 minutes, Merrill's Marauders is a quick-paced, action-packed, exciting war movie from Samuel Fuller.

Jeff Chandler gives one of his best performances as Brigadier General Frank Merrill, the commander of the 5307th who must push his men to their absolute limit, physically and mentally. Unfortunately, Chandler died before the film was released in theaters. Ty Hardin matches Chandler with his performance as Lt. Lee Stockton, Merrill's long-time friend and leader of the 5307th's scout platoon. Andrew Duggan plays Captain Kolodny, the doctor accompanying the unit. Stockton's platoon includes Peter Brown as Bullseye, the platoon's sharpshooter, Claude Akins as Kolowicz, the tough sergeant, Will Hutchins as Chowhound, Charles Briggs as Muley, the mule-packer, and Pancho Magalona as Taggy, the Filipino scout. Unfortunately, there is no DVD release of Merrill's Marauders, although this is one film that definitely deserves a release. The VHS copy is of decent quality in pan-n-scan. The VHS copies are getting harder to find, so if you locate one, pick it up. Overall, Merrill's Marauders is an exciting, moving look at the invasion of Burma that has been unfairly looked over since its release. Well worth it if you can find a copy.