🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Raoul Walsh
- Genre: War, Drama, Adventure
- Release year: 1945
- Runtime (length): 2h 22min
- IMDb rating: 7.3/10 (5.7K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: N/A
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
Errol Flynn leads a bunch of guys to destroy a radar, but then they gotta walk…a lot.
🍿 Objective, Burma!: Detailed Plot Synopsis
The Mission Briefing and Drop
In 1944, Captain Nelson (Errol Flynn) and his platoon of American paratroopers receive a dangerous mission: parachute into Japanese-occupied Burma and destroy a crucial radar station. They are accompanied by war correspondent Mark Williams (Henry Hull), eager to document the operation. The initial briefing highlights the strategic importance of the radar station, which is interfering with Allied air operations. The paratroopers prepare for a risky night jump into the Burmese jungle.

Destroying the Radar Station
The platoon successfully parachutes into Burma and navigates through the dense jungle to reach the radar station. They launch a surprise attack, overwhelming the Japanese defenders and destroying the radar equipment. The attack is swift and decisive, with the Americans suffering no casualties during the initial assault. The successful destruction of the radar station marks the completion of their primary objective. However, their troubles are far from over.

Stranded Behind Enemy Lines
As the platoon prepares to rendezvous with transport planes for extraction, they discover that the Japanese have anticipated their move and are waiting at the designated airstrip. Unable to signal the planes or secure the landing zone, Nelson and his men are forced to evade the enemy and trek through the jungle towards Allied lines. This marks the beginning of a harrowing journey through hostile territory, facing constant threats from Japanese patrols and the harsh environment. The change from a simple mission to a desperate fight for survival drastically alters the platoon’s dynamics.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Capt. Chuck Nelson (Errol Flynn): The courageous captain leads a platoon of paratroopers on a dangerous mission to destroy a Japanese radar station in Burma.
- SSgt. Treacy (James Brown): A non-commissioned officer and a member of Captain Nelson’s platoon, facing the harsh realities of the Burmese jungle.
- Lt. Sid Jacobs (William Prince): An officer in Captain Nelson’s platoon who experiences the brutal consequences of war.
- Cpl. Gabby Gordon (George Tobias): A member of the platoon and comedic relief facing the dangers of the mission in Burma.
- Mark Williams (Henry Hull): An older war correspondent accompanying the paratroopers, witnessing the grim realities of war firsthand.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Mark Williams: “You boys aren’t fighting this war from behind a desk, and I’m not going to write about it behind one.” – The aging war correspondent’s explanation for joining the dangerous mission.
- Paratrooper: “So much for Mrs. Hollis’ nine months of pain and twenty years of hope.” – A grim observation made upon finding the dead body of a young paratrooper.
- Capt. Chuck Nelson: “Here’s what it cost.” – Captain hands a fistful of dog tags to his commanding officer, summarizing the devastating losses suffered during the mission.
💰Box Office
- Budget: N/A
- Domestic Gross: N/A
- Worldwide Gross: N/A
💥 Objective, Burma! Reviews
Personal Review
I found “Objective, Burma!” to be surprisingly gripping. Errol Flynn usually plays swashbucklers, but here he’s a stoic leader, and he really sold it. The jungle scenes felt claustrophobic, and I was genuinely worried for the characters. That ambush scene near the village? Chilling. It’s not a feel-good movie, but it’s a powerful one that stuck with me.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of classic war movies”
- “Those interested in Errol Flynn’s dramatic roles”
- “Viewers who appreciate gritty, realistic war stories”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “War violence and battle scenes”
- “Mature themes related to combat and survival”
- “Brief depiction of torture aftermath”
- “Outdated language and characterizations that may be considered offensive.”
Professional Reviews
- ScreenRant: “Objective, Burma! is a compelling war drama, showcasing Errol Flynn in a serious role. The film avoids typical war movie clichés, focusing on the grueling realities of jungle warfare. It’s a must-see for fans of classic war films.
- Indiewire: “A must-see Errol Flynn movie! The movie showcases humanity of the characters in an action film without melodrama. The balance is delicately maintained in the excellent movie.
Audience Reactions
The realism of the jungle setting made the film very immersive and intense.: Viewers praise the film’s gritty portrayal of war and Flynn’s performance.
Henry Hull’s portrayal as a war correspondent gave depth to the film.: Fans appreciate how it highlighted the psychological toll of war on soldiers.
Overall Consensus: “Objective, Burma!” is a well-regarded war film, praised for its realism and Errol Flynn’s performance, though some find it lengthy.
Awards
- National Board of Review (Top Ten Films)- 1945
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The film was controversial upon release for its portrayal of American soldiers in Burma, a theater largely dominated by British and Commonwealth forces. This led to it being withdrawn from release in the UK.”
- “Members of Merrill’s Marauders, who were on location as technical advisers, criticized the fact that Nelson’s men killed all the Japanese at the radar station so quickly with none wounded or escaped.”
- “Exteriors were shot at the Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden, a common location for simulating jungle environments in Hollywood films of the era.”
🖥️ How to Watch Objective, Burma!?
As of today, “Objective, Burma!” is available for purchase on platforms like Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV. Check these and other digital retailers for rental options and availability. Physical media (DVD/Blu-ray) can also be found online via retailers like Amazon and eBay.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Objective, Burma!, you might like these similar films:
- They Were Expendable (1945): A realistic portrayal of American forces in the Pacific during World War II, focusing on the human cost of war.
- Merrill’s Marauders (1962): Directly based on the experiences of Merrill’s Marauders in the Burma campaign, offering a more grounded perspective.
- Apocalypse Now (1979): Shares the theme of a harrowing journey through a hostile jungle environment during wartime, with a focus on psychological toll.
- The Thin Red Line (1998): A modern war film that, like ‘Objective, Burma!’, explores the psychological impact of combat and the brutal realities of war.
🛒 Objective, Burma! Related Products
- Errol Flynn: The Warner Bros. Years: This DVD collection features Objective, Burma! and other classic Errol Flynn films, offering a comprehensive look at his career at Warner Bros.
- World War II: The Pacific Theater: A digital documentary exploring the Pacific Theater of WWII, providing historical context for the events depicted in Objective, Burma!.
- Objective Burma Movie Poster: A high-quality reproduction of the original movie poster, capturing the film’s iconic imagery.
- Men’s WWII Style Combat Boots: These Combat Boots are designed in keeping with the original specifications and design. An amazing, comfortable and hard wearing boot perfect for airsoft, costume and reenactment
🎧 Soundtrack
Objective, Burma! features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
While inspired by real events, “Objective, Burma!” takes significant creative liberties and focuses on an American unit in a theater where British forces played a dominant role. This led to controversy upon its release.
The ending of “Objective, Burma!” is significant because it highlights the heavy cost of war, even in a successful mission. The final scene, where Captain Nelson hands over the dog tags of the fallen soldiers, is a stark reminder of the human toll.
Although the film is set in Burma, it was primarily filmed in California, utilizing locations such as the Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden to simulate the Burmese jungle.
🔥 Bonus Content
Why Objective Burma Battle Scene Was Criticized by War Veterans – #shorts #short
Ever wondered if ‘Objective, Burma!’ got its battle scenes right? This short clip dives into the criticisms from war veterans themselves! It’s a fascinating look at how Hollywood’s portrayal stacked up against reality.
TCM Salute to Errol Flynn 1of4 Objective, Burma! (Intro)
Before you watch ‘Objective, Burma!’, check out this intro from TCM. It’s packed with interesting facts about Errol Flynn and the movie’s production. It really sets the stage and makes you appreciate the film even more!
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