Review of Tora! Tora! Tora! (1970) by Kok Hoong F — 02 Sep 2012

Viewed on 10/10/04 (Sun).

Those who have seen this before PEARL HARBOUR will laugh at the Michael Bay's movie. How he has reduced "the day of infamy" into a mindless love story.

To know all about the attack, this is the definitive movie. It offers insights not only from the Americans but also the Japanese. The Japanese 'section' is directed by a Jap and the American 'section' by Richard Fleischer. A very touching collaboration. Two countries at war in WWII come together to tell their stories.

It is a minute-by-minute account. Right from the suggestion of the wild idea of a surprise attack to the actual thing. There is no room for personal drama. The characters exist as merely tools in telling history. The characters are not made up to dramatize things. There are no heroes and certain no romance with a nurse. It is in fact a docudrama. It is more interested in giving us a full picture. I am surprised that the attack comes only after two hours and the sequences are comparable to the ones in PEARL HARBOUR.

I fully respect this movie. It is definitely not another piece of entertainment. It is what we can show to the History students and not afraid that there are facts not accurately presented. Truly based on a true story.

Rating: A.