The Real Glory (1939)

In 1906, Alipang and his Muslim Moro guerrillas are terrorizing the people of the Philippine island of Mindanao, raiding villages, killing the men, and carrying off the women and children for slaves. Instead of maintaining garrisons indefinitely to protect the Filipinos, the U.S. army tests out a new tactic at Fort Mysang. The army detachment is replaced by a handful of officers – Colonel Hatch, Captains Manning and Hartley, and Lieutenants McCool and Larsen – who are to train the native Philippine Constabulary to take over the burden. Army doctor Lieutenant Canavan is sent along to keep them healthy. They are welcomed by a skeptical Padre Rafael.

Alipang starts sending fanatical juramentados to assassinate the officers and goad them into attacking before the natives are fully trained. Hatch is the first victim, leaving Manning to take command. Manning’s wife and Hartley’s daughter Linda arrive for a visit at the worst possible time; a horrified Mrs. Manning witnesses her husband’s murder. Hartley takes charge, but Canavan disagrees with his by-the-book, overcautious approach. Disobeying orders, Canavan sets out for Alipang’s camp guided by Miguel, a young Moro boy he has befriended. “Mike” (as Canavan calls him) infiltrates the camp and learns that Alipang has sent another assassin, this time for Hartley. Canavan and Mike intercept the man and take him back a prisoner.