Merrill's Marauders is a 1962 Technicolor war film, photographed in Panavision, and directed and co-written by Samuel Fuller.It is based on the exploits of the long range penetration jungle warfare unit of the same name in the Burma Campaign, culminating in the Siege of Myitkyina. Brigadier General Frank D. Merrill leads the 3,000 American volunteers of his 5307th Composite Unit (Provisional), aka “Merrill’s Marauders”, behind Japanese lines across Burma to Myitkyina, pushing beyond their limits and fighting pitched battles at every strong-point. 1944 ARC Identifier 603003 / Local Identifier 200-QUAID-2. This film covers the secret campaign, under General Frank D. Merrill, to reopen the Burma Road behind enemy lines during World War II. Jan 07, 2010 1944 ARC Identifier 603003 / Local Identifier 200-QUAID-2. This film covers the secret campaign, under General Frank D. Merrill, to reopen the Burma Road behind enemy lines during World War II. During World War II, Brig. Merrill (Jeff Chandler) commands a unit of 3000 soldiers, known as 'Merrill's Marauders,' on a secret mission through Burma, which is occupied by the Japanese.