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About
The film portrays MacArthur's life from 1942, before the Battle of Bataan, to 1952, when he was removed from his Korean War command by President Truman for insubordination, and is recounted in flashback as he visits West Point.
Theatrical
Jul 15, 1977
Box Office
$16.3M
Budget
$9.0M
Return
1.8x
DVD / Blu-ray
Oct 30, 2001
Theaters
1
Director
Joseph Sargent
Producers
David Brown, Richard D. Zanuck, Frank McCarthy
Music
Jerry Goldsmith
Studio
Universal Pictures, The Zanuck/Brown Company
Quotes
See all →Truman's Frustration with MacArthur's Actions
Harry Truman
I oughta kick his insubordinate ass right into the Sea of Japan. The lousiest trick he's pulled; I traveled 14,000 miles to reach an understanding face-to-face, and he still thinks he can do exactly what he damn well pleases!
Aide
Can you imagine he actually sent a message to the Chinese threatening to destroy their forces unless they would negotiate a solution with him personally?
Harry Truman
You know, there's a story, where Abe Lincoln was tryin to mount a horse that was skittish. And the horse kicked a hind hoof into the stirrup. So Lincoln says to im, "If you're gonna get on, I'll get off." Well, I'm not gettin off. I think Roosevelt shoulda- shoulda pulled Wainwright outta Corregidor and left that five-star brass hat MacArthur there to be the martyr.
Aide
What shall I do with the cease-fire proposal?
Harry Truman
Scrap it. I can't approach the Chinese on any political basis; not after this. That man's tryin to start World War III and I'm tryin to prevent it. I'll fire that brass hat prima donna right now. The hell does he think he is? God? Now, what do you think Congress'll do if I relieve the big general?
Aide
Congress would flay you alive.
MacArthur's Response to Enemy Engagement
Soldier
General, sir! Excuse me, sir, but we just killed a Jap sniper here not five minutes ago!
Gen. Douglas MacArthur
Fine, son! That's the best thing to do with em!
Strategic Risks and the Element of Surprise
Lt. Gen. Richard K. Sutherland
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.
Gen. Sampson
Exactly. This is little more than a trench in the mudflats. If every possible handicap were listed, Inchon has them all.
Lt. Gen. Richard K. Sutherland
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.
President Harry S. Truman
What do you think of His Majesty's plan?
[Looks at Gen. George C. Marshall]
Gen. George C. Marshall
It's daring... it's brilliant... and it's dangerous.
Humor in Leadership Challenges
President Sergio Osmena
You see, General, my people are going to laugh if I fell in deep water. I cannot swim!
Gen. Douglas MacArthur
That's not so bad, Mr. President. Everyone's about to see that I can't walk on water.
Cast
Full credits →G
Gregory Peck
Douglas MacArthur
I
Ivan Bonar
Lt. Gen. Richard K. Sutherland
W
Ward Costello
Gen. George C. Marshall
N
Nicolas Coster
Colonel Sidney Huff
M
Marj Dusay
Jean MacArthur
E
Ed Flanders
President Harry S. Truman
W
Warde Donovan
General Shepherd
B
Branscombe Richmond
Korean Soldier
J
Jerry Holland
Aide
A
Art Fleming
The Secretary
R
Russell Johnson
Admiral King
S
Sandy Kenyon
General Wainwright
R
Robert Mandan
Representative Martin
A
Allan Miller
Colonel Diller
D
Dan O'Herlihy
President Roosevelt
D
Dick O'Neill
Colonel Whitney
A
Addison Powell
Admiral Nimitz
T
Tom Rosqui
General Sampson
G
G.D. Spradlin
General Eichelberger
K
Kenneth Tobey
Admiral Halsey
