Uncommon Courage: Breakout at Chosin Chinese American Film Review
Reviews of 2010 Memorial Day program by Smithsonian Channel
Chinese American Major Kurt Chew-Eeen Lee is the first Chinese ancestry officer in the US Marine Corps. He volunteers to serve as commander in Korea combat, uses his rudimentary mandariin to spoof enemy Chinese troops. Trying to draw fire by single-handedly firing in many directions and lobbing grenades, he ends up killing several enemy and finds the position to be abandoned after his attack. McArthur and top commanders scoffed at the Chinese threat, asking if they were afraid of a few "Chinese laundrymen". His buddies think he should get a medal of honor for his leadership which got his unit out of the Chosun mess largely safe.
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A tale of Korean War heroism - Los Angeles TimesA tale of Korean War heroism U.S. Marine Chew-Een Lee's bravery at the battle of the Chosin Reservoir is a focus of Smithsonian Channel documentary. When Chew-Een Lee was growing up in western Sacramento during World War II, he was eager to enlist in the military to fight for his country. He joined the ROTC in high school and enlisted in the Marine Corps as soon as he graduated.31 May 2010
Korean War documentary, 'Uncommon Courage: Breakout at Chosin,' debuts - Washington PostKorean War documentary, 'Uncommon Courage: Breakout at Chosin,' debuts Maj. Kurt Chew-Een Lee is the subject of "Uncommon Courage: Breakout at Chosin," an hour-long documentary making a Memorial Day debut on the Smithsonian Channel. It's about one of the Marine Corps' greatest moments, when a few thousand Marines, surrounded and greatly outnumbered by Chinese and North Korean forces, led United Nations troops in bursting out of their death trap near the Chosin ...30 May 2010
What to watch this week | May 30-June 5 - The Kansas City StarWhat to watch this week | May 30-June 5 MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND KCPT has the usual highlights, including the annual “Celebration at the Station” airing live at 7:30 tonight, followed by the “National Memorial Day Concert” at 10, followed by a repeat of “Celebration” at 11:30. In addition, “Hallowed Grounds” (9 p.m. Monday, KCPT) visits 22 of America’s overseas cemeteries and tells the stories of some of the women and men buried there.30 May 2010
Review | 'Uncommon Courage': A poignant, courageous reminder of Forgotten War - Miami HeraldReview | 'Uncommon Courage': A poignant, courageous reminder of Forgotten War They call Korea the Forgotten War, and the U.S. Marines who fought at the Chosin Reservoir probably would like to forget it. Frozen and exhausted, surrounded by a Chinese army that American commanders refused to admit even existed, they fought off two weeks' worth of human wave attacks that left icy corpses stacked up like piles of gory snowmen. The combat was so vicious and continual that when ...29 May 2010
A look at the week ahead in the movies and on TV - Miami HeraldA look at the week ahead in the movies and on TV Get Him to the Greek (R): Superbad 's Jonah Hill is the record-company intern assigned to make sure an out-of-control rock star (Russell Brand) is ready and on time when the lights go up on his big comeback concert. Director Nicholas Stoller and producer Judd Apatow reunite following their previous collaboration on Forgetting Sarah Marshall .29 May 2010
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Film Reviews
Uncommon Courage: Breakout at Chosin -- Film Review
By Barry Garron, May 27, 2010 04:25 ET
"Uncommon Courage: Breakout at Chosin"
Bottom Line: A fresh and little-known story of courage on and off the battlefield.
As the title of this Memorial Day-related documentary suggests, "Uncommon Courage: Breakout at Chosin" is the story of a bold, brave and gutsy Marine who saved hundreds of lives during the Korean War. Surrounded on nearly all sides by Red China army units and badly outnumbered, the Marine led his company on a retreat from the Chosin Reservoir in subzero weather that saved about 500 leathernecks from almost certain oblivion.
The action was heroic enough to provide the makings of a great story, but there's an additional twist: The Marine lieutenant leader was Chew-Een Lee, the first Chinese-American officer in Marine history. Considering the rampant racism of the time, that's another fascinating story.
In some ways, Lee's military career is the more intriguing of the two tales, made all the more so by the dearth of actual video of what occurred. Narrator Greg Stebner calls the military breakout "a mission unprecedented in Marine Corps history" and "one of the great triumphs in American military history," but all footage of this military maneuver is either generic or re-enactments.
On the other hand, the story of Lee's ethnic breakout is backed by vintage photos and the accounts of family members, fellow officers and Lee himself.
Regardless, the careful and strategic retreat requires no more than a half-hour for the retelling, during which writer-producer Ted Poole summons all the visuals he can muster, including helpful computer-generated topographical graphics.
That leaves more than enough time for Lee's biography, including an explanation of why this less-than-imposing figure decided on a career in such an inhospitable environment. There's even time for some abbreviated history lessons, such as President Truman's order to integrate the armed forces and Gen. MacArthur's tactical failures, because of arrogance and ego, to comprehend the danger to his troops posed by the entrance of the Chinese into the conflict.
The documentary also marks the start of a not-so-subtle effort to recognize Lee's brave actions with a Medal of Honor. At one point, the narrator notes that "some" think Lee's command at Chosin should be acknowledged in that way.
Wounded a second time in battle, Lee spent many of his subsequent years devising strategy and training Marines for battle in Vietnam, contributing further to this uncommon story about an uncommon individual.
Airdate: 8-9 p.m. Monday, May 31 (Smithsonian Channel)
Production: KPI Television
Narrator: Greg Stebner
Executive producers: Bill Hunt, Vincent Kralyevich, Kristine Sabat
Producer-writer: Ted Poole
Line producer: Patricia Nugent
Director of photography: Tom Donatelli
Editor: Michael Hanna
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Preview: Smithsonian's Uncommon Courage: Breakout At Chosin  Sneak Peak of Uncommon Courage: Breakout At Chosin - Debuts Monday 31st on the Smithsonian ChannelOn Memorial Day the Smithsonian Channel will offer “Uncommon Courage: Breakout At Chosin,” a one hour look at the Korean War. It focuses particularly on the military maneuvers that took place in getting troops out of the Chosin Reservoir area in North Korea. This trek through the mountains at night in a virtual blizzard was one of the most exciting and heroic efforts during this war and is a testament to the bravery and skill of a Marine Unit led by Lt Chew-Een Lee. Lee was a first generation Chinese-American. He entered the military immediately upon his graduation from high school. He became the first commissioned U S Marine regular officer of Chinese descent. When he was assigned to duty in Korea his knowledge of the Chinese language stood him in good stead. During the Korean War the enemy was the North Koreans but eventually the Chinese entered the fight.
Lt Lee led his troops by example. He was always on the front lines and performed the bravest acts. At first the men in his company were put off by his race but eventually they came to see the grand leader that he was. When the troops at Chosin Reservoir were surrounded by the enemy it was Lee who led them on an off road path to safety. It was an amazing feat and the high point of Lee’s military career.
This one hour documentary features interviews with some of the men in Lee’ unit. They are effusive in their praise of his skills as a leader. There is also much information given about the overall campaigns waged in the Korean War.
For those who love to study history, and the history of war in particular, this is a show you will not want to miss. The Smithsonian Channel gives us an insight into the men and the battles of the Korean War with this documentary. They also give us a portrait of a true hero.
“Uncommon Courage: Breakout At Chosin” premières on the Smithsonian Channel on Monday, May 31 at 8PM. About The Author: Jackie K. Cooper was one of the founders of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and is also a member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association. Cooper can be reached at jkershawcooper@aol.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Visit Author's Website |
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Watch »This Story The Marine who fought his own peopleArticle | Maj. Kurt Chew-Een Lee is the subject of "Uncommon Courage: Breakout at Chosin," an hour-long documentary making a Memorial Day debut on the Smithsonian Channel. It's about one of the Marine Corps' greatest moments, when a few thousand Marines, surrounded and greatly outnumbered by Chinese and North Korean forces, led United Nations troops in bursting out of their death trap near the Chosin Reservoir during the Korean War, making their way to the coast and safety. |
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I asked my Dad what he was doing on Memorial Day, and he said that he was attending a Memorial Day commemoration for Veterans. I wasn’t surprised, as he was a 20 year Navy Veteran. One thing I’d like to do on Memorial Day is see Uncommon Courage: Breakout at Chosin. This documentary, debuting on the Smithsonian Channel on this Memorial Day, features Kurt Chew-Een Lee, the first Chinese-American commissioned as a US Marine. Lee, in addition to battling prejudice, led 500 Marines through hilly country in a blizzard to enable the breakout of 8,000 surrounded U.S. and U.N. troops. While he won a Navy Cross for his efforts and saved the 8,000 troops from certain capture or death, the documentary says his greatest accomplishment may have been changing attitudes toward Asian-Americans.
Lee was put in the position of being a Chinese-American fighting against Chinese troops. In the trailer, Lee acknowledges that soldiers had issues with his ethnicity, but in this Washington Post interview, Lee downplays this. Lee accomplished his march in 30 degrees below zero weather, at night, and with a broken arm. “He was ferocious,” says Lt. Joseph R. Owen who served alongside Lee. “Certainly, I was never afraid,” Lee says. “Perhaps the Chinese are all fatalists. I never expected to survive the war. So I was adamant that my death be honorable, be spectacular.”
Lee enlisted to counter the stereotype of the “meek, obsequious, bland Asian.” His one regret was telling his mother that he enlisted only on the day before he was to leave. “She did not say anything when I told her. Not a single word. But I could tell by her face she was totally crushed.”
This documentary sounds fascinating, but I won’t be able to see this on Memorial Day as my cable company doesn’t carry the Smithsonian Channel. If you do see it, let us know what you think.
Review: Uncommon Courage: Breakout At Chosin - MultiChannel NewsReview: Uncommon Courage: Breakout At Chosin On Memorial Day, Smithsonian Channel present s a one-hour special, Uncommon Courage: Breakout at Chosin , about a remarkable and unlikely hero of the Korean War.31 May 2010
Uncommon Courage: Breakout at Chosin -- Film Review - The Hollywood ReporterUncommon Courage: Breakout at Chosin -- Film Review As the title of this Memorial Day-related documentary suggests, "Uncommon Courage: Breakout at Chosin" is the story of a bold, brave and gutsy Marine who saved hundreds of lives during the Korean War.27 May 2010
In Your Neighborhood: Norwood cop an officer and a gentleman - Norwood BulletinIn Your Neighborhood: Norwood cop an officer and a gentleman Norwood Police Officer Kevin Grasso has deep roots in his hometown. Born and raised in Norwood, he attended the Callahan School, Norwood Junior High North and graduated from Norwood Senior High School in 1981.27 May 2010
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