A documentary about how Chinese people rescued the US airmen after the Doolittle Raid during World War II is scheduled for release in 2027. Its director, US filmmaker George Retelas, visited Quzhou, Zhejiang province, on Oct 27 to seek feedback on the film and shoot additional footage.
Retelas, digital content manager at the USS Hornet Museum, has visited China several times to interview descendants of Chinese rescuers and collect oral histories and historical artifacts.
The documentary focuses on what happened after the raid and how Chinese residents helped the US airmen return home. It was screened in San Francisco's Chinatown in August 2026 and received positive feedback.
During his latest visit, Retelas met with local representatives to discuss possible revisions. He also visited the former No 13 Air Force Station to conduct interviews and gather additional footage.
Retelas said the story belonged to the people of both China and the US and hoped the film would reach a wider audience of young people.
He is also developing an adventure film inspired by real events involving the Doolittle Raid and the Flying Tigers. It will tell the story of four Chinese teenagers who helped an American pilot who parachuted to safety.
During the discussion, Retelas presented an English edition of Robinson Crusoe to Chen Gang, a descendant of a Chinese rescuer who helped the crew of Doolittle Raid aircraft No 2. He also donated a poster signed by several Doolittle Raiders to the Memorial Hall to the Doolittle Raid in Quzhou.
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