The Ravagers (film)
The Ravagers is a 1965 war drama film directed by Eddie Romero and co-written by Cesar Amigo, starring John Saxon, Fernando Poe Jr. and Vic Diaz.[1] It was produced by Hemisphere Pictures, which consisted of Eddie Romero, Kane W. Lynn and Irwin Pizor. In the Philippines, the Filipino-language version was entitled Hanggang May Kalaban and the English-dubbed version was known internationally as Only the Brave Know Hell. It was only shown in the U.S. as The Ravagers.[2][3][4][5]
The Ravagers (aka Only the Brave Know Hell) | |
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Directed by | Eddie Romero |
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Music by | Tito Arevalo |
Cinematography | Mars Rasca |
Edited by | Joven Calub |
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Running time | 88 minutes |
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The film was set in the Philippines during World War II. It is about a band of brave Filipino guerrillas who battle with the last remaining Japanese occupation forces.[6] The film was advertised as "the biggest war film ever filmed in the Philippines". Both the English-dubbed and the Filipino-language version opened in different theaters in downtown Manila in February 1965. Lead actress Bronwyn FitzSimons was the daughter of actress Maureen O'Hara.[7]
It was one of several war movies Saxon made outside Hollywood.[8]
Synopsis
The Philippines, 1945. The commandant of the Japanese forces occupying the Philippines is ordered to transport a shipment of gold bullion back to Japan. The Japanese soldiers take over a convent where the gold shipment is situated, and take a number of nuns and young girls prisoner in the process. Unbeknownst to the Japanese, one of the captive women is actually a female American agent named Sheila (Bronwyn FitzSimons), whom the Japanese have been looking to capture.
Kermit Dowling (John Saxon), an American army officer, together with an ex-convict named Gaudiel (Fernando Poe Jr.), leads a group of Filipino freedom fighters in an attack on the convent. Gaudiel finds himself attracted to Sheila. The guerillas beat the Japanese troops in a fierce battle and liberate the convent, saving the gold shipment.
Cast
- John Saxon as Capt. Kermit Dowling
- Fernando Poe Jr. as Sgt. Rubinio Gaudiel
- Bronwyn FitzSimons as Sheila Ryan
- Robert Arevalo as Capt. Araulio
- Jose Dagumboy as Joe
- Vic Diaz as Cruz
- Michael Parsons as Reardon
- Kristina Scott as Mother-Superior
- Vic Silayan as Capt. Mori
- Ann Saxon
References
- The Ravagers on IMDb
- Leavold, Andrew (2006). "Strong Coffee with a National Treasure:An Interview with Eddie Romero". Cashiers du Cinemart.
- SERVER, LEE; EDDIE ROMERO (1999). "EDDIE ROMERO: Our Man in Manila". Film Comment. 35 (2): 44–51. JSTOR 43455360.
- Ching, Mark Angelo (17 October 2019). "Fernando Poe Jr: Da King of Philippine movies". PEP. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
- Benoza, Paulea. "FPJ in retrospect: A guide to Da King's most memorable films". Star Studio. Retrieved 8 January 2020.
- The Ravagers at Rotten Tomatoes
- Dolor, Danny (14 November 2015). "FPJ-Saxon starrer: Tagalog, English versions showing simultaneously". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
- Vagg, Stephen (July 29, 2020). "The Top Twelve Stages of Saxon". Filmink.