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Drama about the lead-up and attack on Pearl Harbour by the Japanese Fleet in December 1941 that led to the U.S. formal involvement in World War II. At a little under two-and-one-half hours in duration it's somewhat sedate in the first of those hours but flicking back and forth between the Japanese and American perspectives serves to not only give some level of evenhandedness to proceedings (not surprising as a joint venture) but also helps in maintaining interest.
Once the morning of Sunday 7th December is reached a little tension is introduced as incidents gradually escalate until the attack is finally delivered on-screen. Sadly though that tension is never let build enough to reach anywhere near a fever pitch, those involved opting instead to introduce moments that either lessen of completely alleviate it. The attack itself however is reasonably well staged, with the odd bit of decent model work, and prolonged enough to retrospectively make the whole feel more action-packed and exciting than it actually is.
Technically the film is generally pretty well made and as essentially an ensemble piece there's nothing remarkable to be said for any of the acting but it's generally acceptable. Whilst not particularly a history buff I believe there's a reasonably high level of historical accuracy to proceedings and being evenhanded again the film does successfully endeavour to show mistakes from both sides.
Tora! Tora! Tora! could have been better if paced a little quicker and some of the chaff removed but it's still an entertaining enough offering and for me a fairly solid
This one was for @Theophile
Tora! Tora! Tora!
Richard Fleischer, Kinji Fukasaku & Toshio Masuda
1970
Richard Fleischer, Kinji Fukasaku & Toshio Masuda
1970
Drama about the lead-up and attack on Pearl Harbour by the Japanese Fleet in December 1941 that led to the U.S. formal involvement in World War II. At a little under two-and-one-half hours in duration it's somewhat sedate in the first of those hours but flicking back and forth between the Japanese and American perspectives serves to not only give some level of evenhandedness to proceedings (not surprising as a joint venture) but also helps in maintaining interest.
Once the morning of Sunday 7th December is reached a little tension is introduced as incidents gradually escalate until the attack is finally delivered on-screen. Sadly though that tension is never let build enough to reach anywhere near a fever pitch, those involved opting instead to introduce moments that either lessen of completely alleviate it. The attack itself however is reasonably well staged, with the odd bit of decent model work, and prolonged enough to retrospectively make the whole feel more action-packed and exciting than it actually is.
Technically the film is generally pretty well made and as essentially an ensemble piece there's nothing remarkable to be said for any of the acting but it's generally acceptable. Whilst not particularly a history buff I believe there's a reasonably high level of historical accuracy to proceedings and being evenhanded again the film does successfully endeavour to show mistakes from both sides.
Tora! Tora! Tora! could have been better if paced a little quicker and some of the chaff removed but it's still an entertaining enough offering and for me a fairly solid
This one was for @Theophile