Hi all, Watched this film when I was a kid, loved it then for its action and battle scenes, plus the unknown quantity of the Japanese military machine. Today, I realised how much more to this film there had been! My research into the Burma campaign has given me a massive understanding of the Japanese psyche, but this film is brilliant in portraying the political and diplomatic subterfuge leading up to Pearl Harbour. Great film for its time, and manages to avoid 'hollywooding' the events up too! Bamboo.
Entirely agreed, this film should set an example to many others. Difficult to find much to gripe on, picky as we are
Entirely agreed, this film should set an example to many others. Difficult to find much to gripe on, picky as we are I'm not always that picky, if I'm entertained that's ok by me. The final scene is a brilliant and thoughtful way to conclude. With the Japanese Naval Commander fully understanding the implications of their actions, amongst the joy and exuberance of the lower ranks over their immediate success.
Yes this film was good and to me is a classic. Pretty good on historical accuracy for a change. Regards Tom
Cannot agree more Tora Tora Tora, like films such as Bridge too Far, Battle of the Bulge, Above us the Waves, Das Boot, The Longest Day, Sink the Bismarck and Battle of Britain are a credit to the writers, producers and everyone involved. Its such a shame that the rest of the film industry did not feel ashamed for the rest of the inaccurate dross produced during the 1960s & 1970s. Perhaps the fighting of the Vietnam war during this period spurned the creating of more gun ho adventure films. No one wanted to see accurate films when there sons were being drafted………… My favourite part of of TTT is where they attack the airbase, when strafing a line of parked fighters, one breaks free and a man can be seen running for his life with the spinning prop of the loose aircraft chasing him along the taxiway. Remember, no CGI here, just one sh*t scared extra who earned his pay that day!
Well, wouldn't necessarily put The Battle of the Bulge in the same class...! But films like Tora Tora Tora and Sink The Bismarck are excellent examples of the fact that you don't need to put anything extra IN to improve a story...
I'm not always that picky, if I'm entertained that's ok by me. The final scene is a brilliant and thoughtful way to conclude. With the Japanese Naval Commander fully understanding the implications of their actions, amongst the joy and exuberance of the lower ranks over their immediate success. Bamboo agree "I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve"
I got this in a 3 pack of war films really cheap last year. In the commentary with the director he stated that it was a flop when it came out and quickly forgotten. He was still annoyed the studio (without his permission) allowed action scenes to be reused in the film "Midway" with Charleton Heston. I thought the 2001 movie "Pearl Harbor" was a disgrace.
Well, wouldn't necessarily put The Battle of the Bulge in the same class...! But films like Tora Tora Tora and Sink The Bismarck are excellent examples of the fact that you don't need to put anything extra IN to improve a story... Except for sinking the odd destroyer, old chap.
Bamboo agree "I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve" Which is something Yamamoto never said, by the way.
like films such... Battle of the Bulge, ... are a credit to the writers, producers and everyone involved. Well, wouldn't necessarily put The Battle of the Bulge in the same class...! Nor I. It is an absolutely dreadful film hardly worthy of the title.
Actually just ordered this http://www.play.com/DVD/Blu-ray/-/617/825/-/13867984/Tora-Tora-Tora-40th-Anniversary-Extended-Japanese-Cut/Product.html?searchtype=genre on Blu Ray, not watched it in years so looking forward to it.. 40th anniversary edition of Tora Tora Tora..
My favourite part of of TTT is where they attack the airbase, when strafing a line of parked fighters, one breaks free and a man can be seen running for his life with the spinning prop of the loose aircraft chasing him along the taxiway.[/FONT][/COLOR] Remember, no CGI here, just one sh*t scared extra who earned his pay that day! I did read somewhere that something in that scene went slightly awry and a stuntman actually had to run for his life. An unfortunate accident which I feel added to the scene.
Dont forget the Battle of the River Plate! loved that one too and yes, probably the best point made: no CGI!
Actually just ordered this http://www.play.com/DVD/Blu-ray/-/617/825/-/13867984/Tora-Tora-Tora-40th-Anniversary-Extended-Japanese-Cut/Product.html?searchtype=genre on Blu Ray, not watched it in years so looking forward to it.. 40th anniversary edition of Tora Tora Tora.. Nice find, I might try and pick that up. Bamboo.
Which is something Yamamoto never said, by the way. thanks Op it was a good line though and very true in reality
thanks Op it was a good line though and very true in reality As I told the class, "He would have said it if he knew how the war was going to come out." I sometimes call him the most important person when it came to focusing US efforts to fight the war. If the Japanese had stuck to "defending their flank", i.e., taking out the Philippines, and left Hawaii alone, the US may not have been so finely focused when we finally got into the game. "Bunch of little brown men 'way out yonder got beat up? Well, I guess we gotta do this since it's technically US property." I have no doubt the isolationists would have used something like that. And isolationism itself may have survived if there was no Pearl Harbor, and been a spanner in the works at every opportunity. Yamamoto cleared all that up with his decision to insist on the attack on Oahu.
