I’ve been debating whether or not to do this for a while, but I thought I would do a trial run and see what folk thought.
As the title suggests, I’m doing a review of various aviation-related films. I have a fair few, some that most people will have seen, some they might not, so hopefully there’ll be something for everyone!
First up, 20th Century Fox’s classic portrayal of the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7th 1941….
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Told in a documentary style, this is a dramatic retelling of the events leading up to the attack on the American Pacific Fleet. While the film takes its time to get to the actual attack, the build-up somehow does not drag, nor does it fill in time with a lot of useless dialogue or wasted performances. And, while the film doesn’t concentrate much on character-building, it shows the relevant personalities in order to give context to what happens next.
When the attack takes off from the Japanese carriers, the tension and confidence of the crews is almost palpable as they head towards their objective. The Japanese aircraft taking off into the rising sun is a genuinely stirring sight – too bad it would all be done on computers these days!
The attack itself whistles by in a blur of explosions and bullets. It’s a spectacular example of what Hollywood used to be able to accomplish before the days of computers and CGI, with large-scale models and full-scale mock-ups going up in smoke with gay abandon all over the place. In the skies, a fleet of Japanese fighters and bombers, expertly created from a fleet of old American trainers, does battle with real American hardware such as B-17s and P-40s. Compared with some other big budget American war films, there’s no false heroics, no flag-waving, nor any patriotism evident. There’s no villain to boo at, no hero root for, just a bunch of military personnel in a “this is how it happened” epic.
This is a war film with few equals, and the like of which has seldom been seen since. Not only is it a classic of its genre, it’s an example of a bygone era, when films like this were done “for real”.
A genuine 5-star movie.
By: DazDaMan - 8th December 2013 at 22:14
JBoyle –
I’m not trying to get into a debate on the politics or the historical accuracy of XYZ film (although there will undoubtedly be a little of the latter!). I’m simply stating my opinion of them. You can agree or disagree with me on my opinion of the film itself – that’s fine. That’s what I intended these threads to do. Anything else, I’d rather leave to the experts to discuss. I view the films as what they are, not what they are meant to be. I know Jaws isn’t meant to be a documentary film, but as a horror/thriller, it does its job very well!
By: charliehunt - 8th December 2013 at 21:40
Pearl Harbour – Ben Afflek, was rubbish.
By: Bob - 8th December 2013 at 21:32
Flicking through the channels paused on “Pearl Harbo(u)r” briefly as the Japanese attacked – one actor declared “the start of World War 2” when asked over the phone what was going on…
Nothing like historical accuracy…
I then recommenced my channel hopping…
By: bazv - 8th December 2013 at 20:40
As opposed to the always neutral UK war films….really take a look at the UK wartime and even post-war propaganda efforts. Or even the (overly) revered The Dam Busters.
If you had researched the films production, you would have noticed it was a US-Japanese co-production. Pity the Battle of Britain film didn’t do the same thing. It would have improved the final product.
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Not sure what the japanese could have done to improve the BoB film ; )
By: trumper - 8th December 2013 at 19:38
This thread went well then.
By: J Boyle - 8th December 2013 at 19:31
Compared with some other big budget American war films, there’s no false heroics, no flag-waving, nor any patriotism evident. .
As opposed to the always neutral UK war films….really take a look at the UK wartime and even post-war propaganda efforts. Or even the (overly) revered The Dam Busters.
There’s no villain to boo at, no hero root for, just a bunch of military personnel in a “this is how it happened” epic.
If you had researched the films production, you would have noticed it was a US-Japanese co-production. Pity the Battle of Britain film didn’t do the same thing. It would have improved the final product.
Both films (probably as a reflection of the period they were made, a rather anti-military time in history) try their best to be low on flag waving, although in BoB, you do get the idea that the Germans are clearly the “Bad guys” (example: when the air raid shelter with a pilots family is destroyed) something that is lacking in Tora, Tora, Tora.
The another Big budget war film of the 70s, A Bridge Too Far, a UK production, does have a fair amount of flag waving/heroics.
1976’s Midway, was another semi-documentary approach to telling the story of the US victory in the Pacific, but unlike Tora, Tora Tora, and rather like Battle of Britain, it tries to the story in a conventional way, with fictional characters supporting a storyline.
By: Bombgone - 8th December 2013 at 12:28
Dazdaman. Totally agree, great review.
Have to say totally realistic film with authentic crash scenes. Very enjoyable. Some films e.g. Battle of Britain blowing up plastic models was to obvious. But then to expensive to make using real aeroplanes. I always prefer the early James Bond movies with real cars and boats etc. than the later ones. Modern day special effects, no where near as good.
By: charliehunt - 8th December 2013 at 12:12
Look forward to it!:)
By: DazDaMan - 8th December 2013 at 12:03
Cheers, Charlie.
I have a raft of aviation movies sitting here, but I think the next one shall be the original 1930 version of The Dawn Patrol. I’ll do it sometime during the week, with any luck.
By: charliehunt - 8th December 2013 at 11:59
Nice idea, Daz. Tora is certainly a great favourite of mine. I thought the Ben Affleck take on it very poor. What are you reviewing next?
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December 8, 2013 at 11:28 am