The Great Raid
Performance & Direction: The Great Raid Review
Last updated: February 17, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Great Raid (2005) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 6.5/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Action.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Action is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Great Raid features a noteworthy lineup led by Benjamin Bratt . Supported by the likes of James Franco and Connie Nielsen , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: The Great Raid
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2005, The Great Raid is a Action, History, War film directed by John Dahl. The narrative delivers highly intense sequences and pulse-pounding confrontations that keep viewers on the edge of their seats. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Benjamin Bratt.
Ending Explained: The Great Raid
Ending Breakdown: Directed by John Dahl, The Great Raid concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to action resolution.
The climactic sequence delivers on the escalating tension involving Benjamin Bratt, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the action themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of The Great Raid reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
The Great Raid Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
The Great Raid draws heavily from documented historical records. As a action, history, war film directed by John Dahl, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement for Benjamin Bratt's character.
Historical Context
The film takes creative liberties to enhance dramatic impact. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.
Creative interpretation shapes the final narrative, with attention to period detail and historical context.
Accuracy Assessment: The Great Raid adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.
Who Should Watch The Great Raid?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Action films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Benjamin Bratt or the director
- Want an adrenaline rush without demanding perfection
Box Office Collection: The Great Raid
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $80.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $10.2M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
The Great Raid Budget
The estimated production budget for The Great Raid is $80.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: The Great Raid
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch The Great Raid Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
Apple TV Store
Amazon Video🏷️ Buy on
Apple TV StoreThe Great Raid Parents Guide & Age Rating
2005 AdvisoryWondering about The Great Raid age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Great Raid is 132 minutes (2h 12m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.5/10, and global performance metrics, The Great Raid is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 2005 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Great Raid worth watching?
The Great Raid is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Action movies. It has a verified rating of 6.5/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Great Raid parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Great Raid identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of The Great Raid?
The total duration of The Great Raid is 132 minutes, which is approximately 2h 12m long.
Best Movies to Watch if you liked The Great Raid
How The Great Raid Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for The Great Raid
**_The most successful rescue mission in American history_** On January 30, 1945, the United States Army Rangers, Alamo Scouts, and Filipino guerrillas saved more than 500 POWs in the Japanese camp in the Philippines from certain death as the Japanese were ordered to "liquidate" all prisoners before evacuating in the face of MacArthur's advance. Benjamin Bratt, James Franco, Max Martini, Joseph Fiennes, Connie Nielsen and Marton Csokas star. "The Great Raid" was based on the books "The Great Raid on Cabanatuan" and "Ghost Soldiers." I've read the latter and it's interesting seeing the film for live-action visuals of what I saw in my head. The rescue, along with the liberation of Camp O'Donnell the same day, allowed the POWs to share the truth about the Bataan and Corregidor atrocities. While the raid had no strategic value, as far as winning the war goes, it sparked a new wave of resolve in the war against Japan. Not to mention, it remains the most successful rescue mission in USA history. Although the movie was shot in 2002, it was pulled from release schedule on several occasions before finally having a limited released in August, 2005, with little-to-no marketing. Was it any wonder it failed to garner an audience and box office success? Be that as it may, this is a solid WW2 flick based on a true story. The prisoners of the camp are the survivors of the infamous 60-mile Bataan Death March of April, 1942. The movie's not politically correct in that it shows the truth of the brutal savagery of the Japanese military. The actual raid doesn't take place until the 95-minute mark, but it's worth the wait; the build-up is informational and keeps your attention. While I wouldn't call it great, it's a well-done and informative war flick for those interested in the subject. It's even better if you've read either of the books on which it's based. The film runs 2 hours, 12 minutes, and was shot in Bribie Island, Queensland, Australia, with the Manila sequences shot in Shanghai, China. GRADE: B
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
