Stream it now Tora! Tora! Tora! 1970

 

My 11th grade history teacher told me about this film, but I never got around to seeing it until it came on cable a few months ago. Even though there's something to be said; and some credit to be given to keeping a historical event historically accurate.... It doesn't always translate to an entertaining motion picture.
Now; the best portions of this movie take place during the first hour or so when tensions between the U.S. and Japan are tense; but diplomatic relations are still intact. And under this cloud of (talks) you see the Japanease planes taking off, and slowly flying in formation to eventually, (spoiler alert) bomb pearl harbor.
Now; The worst parts of this movie are that it just has too little great moments like that action sequence at pearl harbor (which blows Michael Bay's film to shit, just with that sequence btw) but anyway- to put it simply, it's way too long, and there's just way too much talking and Japanese subtitles to peak anyone's interest beyond the action.

Way better than anything Michael Bay have done.

I mostly wanted to see this because I enjoy war films, and I heard that Kurosawa was first commissioned to write the film but was fired because he didn't work as quickly as Hollywood would've liked, also his budget estimate was 25 million, around twice what the studio wanted to spend (ironically, it is reported that in total they spent 26 million without Kurosawa). I was hoping I may still see his fingerprints on it, but it is completely 1970 Hollywood. It is only good as an educational tool, and the characters are only good for vessels of facts. Acting is poor, but the special effects are pretty great. It is better than Pearl Harbor, but again, only watch it if you are interested in the facts surrounding the bombing of Pearl Harbor from both American, and Japanese perspectives. It is pretty emotionally hollow.

Meticulously detailed, wonderfully produced and it boasts a terrific cast. It is a bit long, but it never bored me and I always found it interesting. Excellent cinematography. The editing is exceptional. Very professionally made.

.....

a great movie the story about the events leading yp to the bombing of pearl harbor

I do not like war but these are 2 great movies. "Midway" is one of the best movies in the history of cinema. A masterpiece and a classic.

This film tells the story of the attack by the Japanese Navy on an unsuspecting Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. The film is balanced insofar as it's perspective, being told from both the Japanese and American sides. The storyline begins pretty much with decision by the Japanese government that, unless negotiations with United States were to take a decidedly different direction, there would be no choice but to go to war. It follows the planning of the attack by Admiral Yamamoto and his staff. Concurrently, it shows that the negotiations between the two countries was not going well at all. Depicted are the dreadful decisions made by the US Commanders at Pearl Harbor, ignoring of evidence that an attack was imminent, the lack of coordination in communications that resulted in huge delays in receiving crucial information and ignoring the incoming Japanese raiders after they were spotted on American radar on their way in. The actual bombing and combat footage is well done. The acting is superb by entire stellar cast. Overall, if you want to know how a tragic event came to be, this film will explain it. It is historically mostly correct, although some artistic license was taken, for sure. Overall, an excellent production!

Throughout movie history, we have great movies, that become just another box on the shelf. I was born 5 years later than this movie was filmed, and didn't see it until I was well in my 20's on Turner Classic Movies. But I feel like this is one of those undiscovered gems you run across in the video store and not think twice about.

DON'T!! Take it and watch it. Not for the realism of the attack scenes, because the technology didn't exist to the extent that we are accustomed to now, but for the screenwriting, and acting of both the AMerican and Japanese crews. It has become a movie I watch over and over again, and trust as authentic re-telling of history.

Tora! Tora! Tora
"I know that the Americans are a proud and just people."



Let's talk bad: With a 145 minute run time, we can't expect for there to be two and a half hours of bombing and shooting. That's not what we receive, however, we do get two hours of politics and preparation for attack before the final half hour of the film. Suspense is nearly wrecked, because (considering that you're an educated individual) you are already aware of the outcome. So, virtually, the film almost completely supported by the entertainment and cinematic experience that the battle sequence delivers.

The characters seemed to be another problem I had trouble getting over. Not a single memorable character in the entire film. Instead of having a characters that the audience can cope with, and understand, they are simply used as tools for the films story. Tons of characters. No character development.


7/10
Good historic film, however it isn't assured to offer a good cinematic experience.