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The Bataan Death March

Within hours of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, bombs rained down on U.S. and Filipino forces in the Philippines. After months of vicious fighting in the cities and the jungles, allied forces surrendered only to be met with a brutal death march to P.O.W. camps dotted across the rugged landscape. Thousands died during these marches. After reaching the P.O.W. camps, countless more died. The surrender of the Philippines by U.S. forces, now almost forgotten in U.S. history, is commemorated in the Philippines every year.

  • Jesse Collier Sutterley
    Director
    The Forgotten War
  • Daniel Leonard Bernardi
    Producer
    The American War
  • Trevor Getz
    Key Cast
    "as Himself"
    The War to End All Wars
  • Maria Botista Cervantes
    Key Cast
    "as Herself"
  • Cecilia Gaerlan
    Key Cast
    "as Herself"
  • Andrés Gallegos
    Director of Photography
    From Mexico to Vietnam: a Chicano Story
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short
  • Genres:
    War (WWII), History
  • Runtime:
    14 minutes 46 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    January 1, 2021
  • Production Budget:
    30,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Black & White and Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
Distribution Information
  • El Dorado Films
    Sales Agent
    Country: Worldwide
    Rights: All Rights
Director Biography - Jesse Collier Sutterley

Jesse Sutterley graduated from San Francisco State with a Bachelor's Degree in History and a Minor in Journalism. He has always been passionate about history and what it means to understand our past as well as one another. He has edited numerous films, including the feature documentary The Forgotten War (2020). His directorial debut, The Bataan Death March, is currently in festival and winning major awards. Aside from his accolades as a filmmaker, Jesse has produced a 24 issue photography magazine and works as a graphic artist.

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Director Statement

The Bataan Death March of World War II represented the largest defeat in American military history and the genocide of almost 20,000 people, most Filipino but also 600 Americans. Working in the U.S. and Philippines, using archival footage, the recordings of American and Filipino survivors, and interviews with relates and scholars alike, the production team worked to tell what amounts to the an international co-production of this historical and horrific act of brutality that speaks to the character of the Filipino people. Directing this film was an honor.