MacArthur (1977)
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63% of critics liked it
(8 reviews) -
61% of users liked it
(1,259 ratings)
Star Gregory Peck went into MacArthur disliking the title character that he was slated to play, but emerged from the experience with a deeper understanding and respect for this complex historical figure. The film is framed in flashback, with an octogenarian General Douglas MacArthur (Peck) making… More Star Gregory Peck went into MacArthur disliking the title character that he was slated to play, but emerged from the experience with a deeper understanding and respect for this complex historical figure. The film is framed in flashback, with an octogenarian General Douglas MacArthur (Peck) making his final address before his alma mater of West Point. We flash back to the fall of Corregidor in 1942, with MacArthur promising "I shall return" to the beleaguered (and eventually imprisoned) American and Filipino troops. The story follows MacArthur's subsequent victories in the South Pacific, occasionally pausing to show us the General's omnipresent sense of "showmanship" (e.g. his wading ashore on the beaches of the Philippines for the benefit of the newsreel cameras). The greater part of the film involves MacArthur's attempts to restore dignity to the defeated postwar Japan, and to keep the Russian Communists from overtaking the orient as they had Eastern Europe. MacArthur is eventually fired from his post by President Truman after the general defies orders during the Korean conflict. MacArthur was intended as Universal's "answer" to 20th Century-Fox's enormously successful Patton (1970), but box-office returns were disappointing. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Rating, Runtime
- PG, 2 hr. 10 min.
- Directed By
- Joseph Sargent
- Written By
- Hal Barwood, Matthew Robbins
- Genres
- Drama, Action & Adventure
- In Theaters
- Jan 1, 1977 Wide
- On DVD
- Oct 30, 2001
Critic Reviews
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Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Gregory Peck plays MacArthur as an intense and dignified general with an arrogant and well-defined sense of patriotism.
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Bob Bloom, Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)
A woefully overblown biography with a wooden Indian Peck as MacArthur. He poses instead of acts.
Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Featured Audience Ratings
Cast
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Gregory Peckas Gen. Douglas MacArthur -
Ed Flandersas Harry S. Truman -
Dan O'Herlihyas Franklin D. Roosevelt
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Marj Dusayas Mrs. MacArthur -
Sandy Kenyonas Gen. Wainwright -
Nicolas Costeras Capt. Huff
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