result of these attitudes, anti-Japanese attitudes were common, including in films of the time. In 'The Fighting Seabees', Dennis O'Keefe informs John Wayne "We're not fighting men anymore, we're fighting animals." The films climactic scene shows Wayne as he punctures and ignites a large fuel tank, flooding the advancing enemy with burning oil. '"That'll scorch those Nips back six generations," he exults.' Reception Film historian Leonard Maltin in Leonard Maltin's 2013 Movie Guide (2012) considered The Fighting Seabees, "action-packed" and "spirited". Film historian Alun Edwards in Brassey's Guide to War Films (2000) was more effusive in his evaluation: "With oodles of eulogies and even a Seabees song to sing, you can't fail to leave the Roxy dewey-eyed and with Stars and Stripes fluttering." A positive review in the Rushville Republican included as highlights expertly scened battle sequences, tense dramatic interludes, moments of comedy contrasting with moments of suspense; concluding that this film is 'among the most spectacular ever filmed in Hollywood.' This review also drew attention to the fact that the 'Seabees' are less known to the public than most other branches of service, despite providing invaluable service: 'They are, quite literally, the "men in front of the man behind the gun." They land in combat zones ahead of the troops, and prepare docks, landing fields, barracks, everything that the invading troops require.' See also John Wayne filmography List of American films of 1944 References Notes Citations Bibliography Evans, Alun. Brassey's Guide to War Films. Dulles, Virginia: Potomac Books, 2000. . Halliwell, Leslie. Leslie Halliwell's Film Guide. New York: Harper & Roe, 1989. . Maltin, Leonard, ed. Leonard Maltin's 2013 Movie Guide. New York: New American Library, 2012 (originally published as TV Movies, then Leonard Maltin’s Movie & Video Guide), First edition 1969, published annually since 1988. . External links Seabees 1944 films 1940s war drama films American aviation films American war drama films American black-and-white films World War II films made in wartime Films directed by Edward Ludwig Films scored by Walter Scharf Republic Pictures films Pacific War films Works about Pacific theatre of World War II 1944 drama films Films scored by Roy Webb