The position of Dane, Feingold and Matkowski changes when they first report to Lassiter.
A soldier on a stretcher refuses to give up his weapon. His hands change position between shots.
When the sick soldier runs toward the bridge to throw grenades, his position changes between shots.
Hand grenades are anti-personnel weapons. The have a kill radius of about 15 yards against soft targets (men, tents, etc.). They could never bring down a bridge, even when several are thrown.
Hand grenades were not used to bring down the bridge. Clearly shown that explosives were used. Hand grenades were used as the Japanese attempted to rebuild the bridge.
Hand grenades were not used to bring down the bridge. Clearly shown that explosives were used. Hand grenades were used as the Japanese attempted to rebuild the bridge.
One of the characters makes fun of the people back in the States having to endure the "hardships" of rationing. This movie takes place in late December 1941 or early January 1942. Rationing of items did not start until later in 1942 or even May 1943, in the case of sugar.
During the battle one of the characters talks about getting to Corregidor. At the time of this movie (late December 1941 or early January 1942), the Army's strategy was to retreat into Bataan and then hold out until the US Navy relieved the Philippines. Retreat to Corregidor was not something that the troops were thinking of at that time. The battle was still "winnable."
When Sgt Dane fires his 45 automatic pistol, the slide does not recoil to eject the spent cartridge case and reload the next round.
Purckett's (Robert Walker) actions to clear the jam/misfire during the final assault by the Japanese are completely useless, while they can be written off as being due to his being a sailor. But especially his shaking of the weapon was not going to do anything.
Although the American soldier was clearly a great coconut tree climber, it is near to impossible to sit atop a coconut tree. Many Filipinos to this day fall when attempting this.
The first grave is suspiciously deep and square, within a few minutes of the commencement of digging.
The Japanese attacks were unrealistic. At this stage of the war frontal assaults or banzai (suicide) attacks were not part of Japanese Army tactics. Also, individual Japanese soldiers rushing the American lines one after another and getting mowed down in the process was strictly Hollywood. Also, the Americans unnecessarily exposed themselves to enemy fire, with tragic results; at least three were shot by snipers during the many lulls in the battle.
As in many Hollywood movies, salutes are rendered improperly. The subordinate salutes first and holds it until the superior returns the salute. Also, deep into the battle, with casualties/deaths mounting, the Americans are still addressing each other as "lieutenant," "sergeant," "corporal," etc. By that time all formalities would have been dropped.
A scream after a head shot during a fall is highly unlikely. Especially since the old World War I style helmets gave almost no protection from projectiles.
The airplane shown crashing into the bridge is a Stagger Wing Beechcraft UC-43. This plane was not purchased by the Army until after the fall of Bataan.
When the Americans were first positioned, their duty was to blow up the bridge and then make sure that the Japanese didn't rebuild it. The American site of operations should have had a clear view of the bridge and the approaching Japanese, which was the intent of the Captain before he was killed.. For some reason, however, the Americans chose a poor position for their base and the bridge was not easily observed, and the Japanese were able to cross the chasm and attack through the jungle with impunity.