Review of Tora! Tora! Tora! (1970) by Vivian H — 05 Feb 2011

Like most people of my generation, the first film I saw about the attack on Pearl Harbour was the romanticised version starring Kate Beckinsale, Ben Affleck and Josh Hartnett. Also like most people of my generation, I quite liked it back then.

I especially remember having marvelled at the footage of the attack itself. There is this one scene that I clearly remember in which a bomb drops through several decks of a battle ship to end up in a batch of startled marines.

Young and impressionable as I was, I didn't even balk at the flimsy love story that was woven through the dramatic fabric. 10 odd years later, having thankfully matured a little, I have also been exposed to a great many more film classics than I had when I was only 16.

I have many good friends - especially my dad - to thank for this. So here goes: thanks dad! To be completely honest, chances are that I wouldn't even have liked "Tora! Tora! Tora!" at that particular time in my life.

But yesterday, it had me completely shattered. It leaves behind the hollow rhetorics of "Pearl Harbour" and offers in its place a visual poetics that is serene, honest and gripping. Music is present, but only to complement the film's abundant cinematographical stunners.

Thankfully, the soundtrack is never slyly abused to instill pathos in the viewer, as the music in Michael Bay's version is prone to. One of the most powerful scenes in "Tora! Tora! Tora!" shows the Japanese airplanes as they take off and head for Pearl Harbour in the early morning hours.

Imagine how daring it was for a director to depict these airplanes as vulnerable yet frivolous butterflies bathing in premature rays of sunlight. The music and the visual language delicately cause the realisation to dawn on the viewer that, as the soft and soothing morning skies give way to the crisp and harsh details of day, these Japanese pilots are actually on a mission of destruction.

From then on, the American perspective takes over again, but not to hide behind Uncle Sam sophistry. Much effort was made to understand both sides of the story, thoroughly and respectfully, yet also critically.

The subtle shifts in perspective were made possible because the Japanese side of the story was shot by Japanese directors, whereas the American half was narrated by an American team. This ingenious setup assures the avoidance of cultural clichï¿ 1/2 (C)s and again shows great sense and sensibility on behalf of the entire crew.

The final thirty minutes are taken up with the destruction of the fleet stationed in the harbour. A comparison between the sequences from "Tora! Tora! Tora!" and those from "Pearl Harbour" can only confirm the latter as a bucketload of bathos.

But don't take my word for it. Please judge for yourselves. I cannot recommend this film enough. Also, for greater viewing pleasure, try to watch it on Blu-Ray. This 1970 classic has been beautifully restored for the HD format.