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Re: Is the upcoming "Pearl Harbor" really necessary?

207.91.86.5

Posted by Bruce from DC on May 9, 2001 at 09:57:38

In Reply to: Is the upcoming "Pearl Harbor" really necessary? posted by TAFKA Steve on May 8, 2001 at 18:26:20:

I blush to say that I've not see "From Here to Eternity," but I've seen "Tora!Tora!Tora!" many times. I consider the latter movie rather technical and bloodless; kind of like one of those Avalon-Hill board war games where two players re-enact famous battles.

While I don't have much hope for "Pearl Harbor" (reportedly Michael Eisner, Disney CEO, forced a tight budget; and the money was spent on effects, not actors), it is certainly possible to envision a telling of that story that would be both interesting and worthwhile.

It would not have to involve the last SOTA effects in blowing up ships and creating squadrons of attacking aircraft.

Rather, it could focus on the wrenching moral/mental transformation of some of the people involved (and I don't mean some weepy lieutenant, junior grade getting some nookie on the beach while the Zeros fly overhead killing his shipmates romance either)

For example:

The 18-year old farmboys and cityboys who make up the crew of the Iowa suddenly find themselves transformed into a hell they could not even imagine

The base commander, an Admirial who later received a letter of reprimand, realizes the destruction of the main US Pacific battle fleet was the result of his complacency

The lieutenant in charge of the radar station that detected the Japanese air squadrons but thought they were US aircraft realizes the price of his sloppiness in not verifying the aircrafts' status, or at least reporting his radar contact.

The common portrayal of the participants in the aftermath of the raid is one of resolute defiance; but I suspect that is utter b.s. It is clear from what happened that the great bulk of the US forces were psychologically unprepared for war, which meant they were physically unprepared. I suspect in the immediate aftermath of the raid they were, literally, shell-shocked. Moreover, the more senior commanders no doubt appreciated just how exposed they were, militarily. The destruction of the US fuel depot (which apparently was not targeted) would have completely shut down the Pacific fleet, including those ships undamaged by the raid.

On the other side of the battle line, it would be interesting to portray the Japanese pilots. While their government may have been treacherous, their achievement and courage cannot be questioned. They attacked the heart of the US Navy in the Pacific, which they would reasonably expect to be very heavily defended. US films portray them as mere robots; but I doubt that is accurate. They must have been ecstatic at their success.

What about Adm. Yamamoto? Did he really say the "sleeping giant" statement? Was he prescient enough to really see that he had won a tactical victory but Japan had taken a step that was a strategic error? If he really felt this, he must have been very alone amid the celebrations of his junior officers and men.

I think there are lots of stories there -- worth telling and worth hearing. But first, we've got to get past the 14-year old boy's fascination with making things explode. I doubt that "Pearl Harbor" does that, but, perhaps, someday, some film will.

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