Wednesday, February 06, 2008 Filmed in the Philippines By Henrylito D. Tacio Regarding Henry
REMEMBER 'The Great Raid,' starring Benjamin Bratt, Franco Nelson, Joseph Fiennes, and our very own Cesar Montano? Under the direction of John Dahl, the film recounted the stirring true story of one of the most spectacular rescue missions ever to take place in American history: "the great raid on Cabanatuan."
Although the movie tried to recreate "with meticulous authenticity" to pay testimony to the many different people -- from American commanders to Filipino soldiers, from women aid workers to the prisoners of wars themselves -- 'The Great Raid' was filmed not in the Philippines (where the event actually happened) but in Australia.
Paradoxically, there were also instances in which some Hollywood movies were filmed in the Philippines when the story actually happened in another country.
Perhaps one of the most famous is the Oscar-nominated "Apocalypse Now," directed by award-winning Francis Ford Coppola from a script by Coppola himself and John Milius. The film was inspired by Joseph Conrad's classic novella, 'Heart of Darkness.'
If you care to know, the Vietnam scenes were shot in Baler and Pagsanjan (where the mesmerizing Pagsanjan Falls was featured). Our very own Elizabeth Oropesa reportedly did a cameo appearance but her part was deleted in the final cut.
Both Harrison Ford and Lawrence Fishburne -- unknowns at the time - also appeared in the movie. Martin Sheen, who narrated the film, had a heart attack while shooting.
In 1986, another Sheen came to the Philippines to shot another Vietnam War flick. Like his father, Charlie Sheen (playing Private Chris Taylor, a role turned down by Keanu Reeves) narrated the Oscar-winning "Platoon." The Vietnam scenes were shot in Cavite and Pagsanjan.
The cast and crew arrived in the country, almost simultaneous to the beginning of the Edsa Revolution that toppled then president Ferdinand Marcos. In an interview, supporting actor Willem Dafoe said that a day or two after he arrived in Manila, he awoke one morning and saw -- to his horror -- a column of tanks rolling down the streets.
Curiously enough, now superstar Johnny Depp appeared in the Oliver Stone picture. He was only 22 when he did the movie and disclosed that when he left for the Philippines to do the movie, it was his first time to be out of the United States.
Depp was also considered for the lead part but was turned down because he "was too young" and unknown at the time.
In 1989, the award-winning director Stone returned to the Philippines to shoot the best selling autobiography of Ron Kovic (played superbly by Tom Cruise, who received an Oscar nomination for his performance), a paralyzed Vietnam War veteran who became an anti-war activist. Kyra Sedgwick, now known for her role in the television series, 'Closer,' portrayed his love interest.
Insiders said that Stone really wanted to shoot the film in Vietnam, but due to the fact that relations were not yet normalized with Vietnam at that time, he again opted to return to the country. The scenes used in the movie were shot in Laoag and Vigan in Ilocos Norte.
"The Boys in Company C" was yet another Vietnam War movie filmed in the Philippines, this time back in 1977. Directed by Sidney J. Furie, it was an action film about five young Marines and how their lives were changed by duty in the Vietnam War. Our very own Vic Diaz appeared as Colonel Trang.
'Missing in Action' (1984) was an action classic Vietnam flick starring Chuck Norris (known in the United States for his television series, 'Walker: Texas Ranger'), which spawned two sequels and many imitations. The scenes were shot in Cavite, Pagsanjan and Luneta Park in Manila.
In 1987, 'Hamburger Hill," a very realistic interpretation of one of the bloodiest battles of the Vietnam War, was released. Said its tagline: "War at its worst. Men at their Best." Among the Filipino stuntmen who were featured in the film include Jerry Bailey, Erich Hahn, and Renato Morado.
Vietnam is not the only country the Philippines can double for. In 'The Year of Living Dangerously' (1983), the country was turned into Indonesia. Scenes were shot in Manila and at the Banaue rice terraces.
Among the Filipino actors who appeared in the Mel Gibson vehicle include Bembol Roco and Kuh Ledesma who appeared as Indonesians.
In 'Delta Force 2: The Colombian Connection,' an action flick starring Chuck Norris, the Philippines became Colombia. Again the plot was simple: good guys get kidnapped by a lunatic and Delta Force comes to the rescue! These Filipino actors who appeared in the film: Dave Brodett, Rina Reyes, Subas Herrero, Ronnie Lazaro, Ruel Vernal, Roland Dantes, and Roldan Aquino.
'Thirteen Days' (2001), starring Kevin Costner, was shot partly in the Philippines. In one of its issues, 'The Los Angeles Times' reported: "The film, which has been shooting in L.A. since October, moves this week to the Philippines, which will double for Cuba in scenes involving U-2 flights and the confrontation between U.S. and Soviet ships during the American naval blockade." The Cuba scenes were shot in Clark and Pagsanjan.
