JOE'S SUMUP: Long, and worth the wait(1970) In 2001, a cute little romance flick came out, you may remember it, called "Pearl Harbor". My but what a misnomer. This film was a high-action romance with about as much substance as Napoleon Dynamite (not to dis Napeleon---that kid had class). As written by Randall Wallace (Braveheart), one might have expected it to contain a bit more than superficial war drama cliches, sappy romance triangles, exaggerated dog fights, etc. Three hours worth. Ugh, worthless. Want to see an actually smart movie about December 7, 1941? Try this one.
"Tora! Tora! Tora!" (literally translated "Tiger! Tiger! Tiger!") were the code-words used by Japanese aircrafts to transmit that complete surprise was achieved on the Hawaii naval base. The film "Tora! Tora! Tora!" is the collaborative effort between Japanese and American cinema, made to depict this event historically accurate as possible, and with the juxtaposed viewpoints of both ends. The transitions are smooth, yet we are frequently switching back and forth between American and Japanese non-fictional officers, watching the tension growing betwixt them, and the eventual cataclysmic catalyst which changed the direction of the war. The lion's share of the first act is given to the Japanese (all done in Japanese with subtitles). During this time we are let in on exactly why and how they planned this attack, America's strategies to prepare for it, and what went wrong. No bias is apparent from either position. One example is, just before the attack occurs, the Japanese' attempt to officially warn the Pentagon the morning of, which warning is not transmitted to Pearl Harbor in time, thus throwing America into a fit of rage over a "surprise attack". This film is an example of brilliant and unbiased filmmakers getting over differences (only 25 years after the atomic bombs) and making a movie of real events in as close a measure as possible. They didn't get it exactly exact of course, how could they---numerous details were left out (hence the idea of dramatization). But that's still true synergy to me, and it's what makes this movie interesting.
Now then, on to the good stuff. Some skeptics might questions these filmmakers' aptitudes for portraying a sequence as large scale as this, wayyyy back in 1970. Hang on to your seats, is all I can say. A small sampling...
This 20-minute sequence is spectacular, and these pics do not do justice.
The attack scene is also accurate. I sat back relishing these Oscar-winning visual effects, knowing there were no models nor CG images throughout, all done in live-action. This film is not three hours, but it is two-and-a-half. The majority is dedicated to the buildup, but the attack sequence wouldn't have been so amazing without it. Films like this are made for the sake of education in and of itself, holding no national or political agenda. I think it's a great film. Having said that, let me make it clear, this is strictly a war drama. There is very little emotion to grab hold of, no romance, no deep character development or big plot surprises. It is all done in a straightforward and objective manner, which I think was the idea. Fluff (even good fluff) would've inevitably biased its viewers one way or another, depending on whose side you're rooting for. One would hope that films like this one will immortalize human conflict and remind us to stop making them. Enough said---if you like historical drama, this classic sleeper ought not to dissatisfy. Running time: 142 min.
2 comments:
Joe, I appreciate your reviewing and recommending films! I wouldn't know where to start to find goodies, and I really hate to waste my time when I do watch a movie. I'll keep checking in. Thanks again!
PS How about including ratings?
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