Midway (Collector's Edition)
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Movie Reviews of Midway (Collector's Edition)
Movie Review: Movie Versus Reality
Summary: 5 Stars
The movie fairly accurately portrays the crucial battle of Midway in the early days of WWII, and the effect on operations of the "fog of war." The Japanese started the operation with inadequate intelligence, and the failure of their seaplanes to refuel at the French Frigate Shoals was devastating for their intelligence (for want of a nail, the shoe was lost, etc). The movie reflected the emergence of Japan as a world naval power, yet demonstrated without commenting on them several major deficiencies of Japanese Naval airpower. The first example was the failure orf the Japanese Combat Air Patrol to adequately defend their own carriers, instead rushing off in pursuit of the American aircraft, and leaving their ships naked to attack by follow-on American dive bombers. In the movie we see Admiral Chuichi Nagumo turn to his Air Operations officer, Commander Genda Minoru, and ask what has happened to their Combat Air Patrol. Genda explains they have taken off in hot pursuit. This was a common occurrence among Japanese pilots. The event also reflects the poor quality of Japanese aircraft radio communications, often showing them using hand signals. They viewed air combat as an individual sport and not a team effort. When Admiral Nagumo decides to change of armament on his aircraft the movie clearly documents them striking the aircraft below to the hangar deck to change armament and for refueling. American aircraft, on the other hand performed these tasks on the flight deck, a safer procedure and less time consuming operation. Additionally, American carriers had many more safety features such as self-sealing aviation gas storage tanks, and the use of carbon dioxide to flush fuel lines after refueling aircraft. Japanese aircraft carriers lacked these features, and the movie shows them uncontrollably burning. Finally, American sailors were (and still are) better trained in damage control; Japanese sailors received little training. The American carriers were also constructed with other features which allowed for destroyers and cruisers to come along side and assist in fire fighting, again, features lacking in the Japanese carriers. In addition to what the actors said and did, the movie demonstrated a lot in the background that made the movie an excellent tribute to not just to the fliers involved, on both side, but especially to the Naval designers of the American carriers. For more complete information on Japanese Naval Air Power I recommend "Sunburst: The Rise of Japanese Naval Air Power, 1909-1941," available from Amazon.Movie Review: A fine telling of the battle that won the Pacific war
Summary: 5 Stars
This movie is a well-told and well-acted presentation of the Battle of Midway--which was probably the single most important battle that the US Navy has ever fought. Its greatest strength in my opinion is that it shows the battle almost equally from the American and Japanese sides. The script from the Japanese side is largely based upon the book "Midway" by Fuchida, et al. and this is a very positive thing. "Midway" is a great book.Both sides are shown with dignity, although the Japanese side takes the bulk of the criticism due to the dithering on the part of the Japanese: do they attack Midway again, or strike at the American fleet that the imperfect scouting reports suggest is out there? This indecisiveness--a departure from the military principles of "concentration of force" and "mission"--went a long way to costing the Japanese a battle that the odds favored them to win. By the way, this criticism of the Japanese commanders at Midway derives from the above-cited book "Midway" which was written by Japanese participants in the battle.
My only criticism of the movie are two. First of all, Admiral Spruance is shortchanged--although Admiral Fletcher had very little to do with our victory at Midway, in this movie you would never know that. Admiral Nimitz is played by Henry Fonda and I suppose that is why, in this telling of the Midway battle, Nimitz completely overshadows Spruance. It was in reality Admiral Spruance who remembered everything that the Japanese forgot: concentration of force (he sent all his planes at long range to get in the first surprise blow) and mission: Spruance never forgot that his mission was to attack the Japanese fleet in order to prevent the invasion of Midway.
My second criticism is that I thought that the whole sub-plot dealing with the Heston character's son, who was in love with a beautiful Nisei girl, was completely unnecessary and was in fact pointless as far as this movie went. I don't know why this portion of the movie didn't end up on the cutting room floor where it belonged.
The above criticisms are not enough to deprive this movie of 5 stars. The best thing about the film is that it is very, very, entertaining--you'll watch this one over and over. It belongs in the DVD collection of everyone who likes good war movies.
Movie Review: "The battle that made everything else possible"
Summary: 5 Stars
I have seen "Midway" countless times, and find it impressive for many reasons: The many scenes that contain original war footage, the fabulous cast, and the degree of historical accuracy, which is exceptional for a Hollywood epic.
Some of the WWII footage is riveting, and is edited to blend in well with the 1976 cinematography by Harry Stradling Jr., which is also marvelous; a good score by John Williams also adds to the atmosphere, though mostly we hear the sounds that would have been heard at the time...the roar of the sea, the wind, and the exploding bombs.
Many of the fascinating figures of history are represented well, and a few brilliantly, like Hal Holbrook as Commander Joseph Rochefort, the man who intercepted and broke the codes. Holbrook's portrayal is much like the real man, who working many times 20 hour shifts in a bunker, was a little scruffy, and had crucial information that was an essential part of the battle plans.
Henry Fonda is great as Admiral Chester Nimitz, and other big stars include Glenn Ford, Robert Mitchum, Toshiro Mifune, James Coburn, Cliff Robertson and Robert Wagner. I love the way the battle is planed like a chess game by both American and Japanese leaders, moving little "boats" around on a big map, each side trying to outwit the other. It also lays out the basics of the battle and makes it fairly understandable for the non-military person.
Charlton Heston is terrific as Captain Matthew Garth, the fictional character in the script, who has to deal with his son (Edward Albert), in love with a Japanese-American girl (Christina Kokubo), who has been interned with her parents. This little bit of "romance" I imagine was included in the film to round out the "human interest", and though I could have lived without this non-historical addition, it is peripheral to the action.
Admiral Nimitz said that the Battle of Midway was "The battle that made everything else possible", and this film is an excellent way to get a feel for the momentous events of that time, with its heroism, tragedy, extraordinary battle tactics, and men who changed the course of history.
Total running time is 132 minutes.
Movie Review: Another Underrated War Film
Summary: 5 Stars
This is another one of those war films that the critics never have anything good to say about. I saw it in the movies and own it on DVD. It is a terrific film with the exception of one problem.
This is an exciting film, fairly historically correct with a nice combination of new footage and actual W.W. II news footage. The cast is excellent with Charlton Heston, his usual heroic self and Henry Fonda, wonderful as Admiral Nimitz. Glenn Ford is great as Admiral Ray Spruance, one of the major heroes of the battle and Hal Holbrook terrific as Commander Rochefort, the colorful character who helped break the Japanese codes. Robert Mitchum has 2 scenes as Admiral Halsey. (I'd heard that Mitchum was originally offered the starring role in this film but turned it down. He did agree to a cameo appearance and did his 2 scenes from a hospital bed since Halsey missed the battle due to a skin condition.) James Coburn, Cliff Robertson and Robert Wagner have little to do but stand around and look serious.
The problem with this film is an implausible and idiotic romance between Heston's pilot son and a Japanese-American girl whose family has been put into an internment camp. The scenes of Heston's son, played by Edward Albert, whining about his girlfriend are quite annoying and Heston and the audience wind up both being disgusted. I guess this subplot was an ode to political correctness. It should have wound up on the cutting-room floor. I only wish that the DVD had the almost hour long Battle of the Coral Sea segment that was originally shown on NBC and is sometimes shown on tv instead of this pathetic romantic subplot. It truly hurts what is an otherwise excellent film.
The critics like to give the impression that this film was a failure: it was not. It did very well in the United States and also in Europe. It was released in 1976 and led to 2 excellent W.W. II films the following year, MacArthur and A Bridge Too Far, both of which unfortunately did not do so well.
The DVD includes a decent retrospective. I only wish the full version of this film could be released on blu-ray someday. That would be nice to have.
Movie Review: Midway was quite some ride!
Summary: 5 Stars
WW2 movies abound. They vary in worth from considerable to worthless, in as far as historical value goes.
Some score high marks for entertainment value, while others stick more to the truth. I suppose which is more worthy of acclaim, depends upon what the viewer wants.
Personally, I want truthful movies, when they purport to be such. THIS IS ONE SUCH MOVIE, in my opinion. Bearing in mind that a movie that is 100% accurate is virtually impossible, this movie does exceedingly well in the truth stakes. Sadly, a few scenes are not as clear to the viewer, as might be thought desireable. These are few - happily. By paying full attention, most of the action - and the reason for it - can be followed.
One picayune point, caused by the inclusion of actual war-time film footage, is that some shots of the action are seen which have appeared in other movies. In particular are some shots shown, also, in the movie Tora! Tora! Tora! However, maybe not everyone notes such things, when they view movies.
MIDWAY was a pivotal sea battle. Of this there is no doubt. Had the Americans lost it, it is more than likely that the war in the Pacific would have lasted much, much, longer. American production capabilities, at the time, would have assured the eventual winning of the war, but that would have taken time - much time!
The movie MIDWAY does much, to show exactly how and why this battle was so pivotal. It also doesn't shirk the fact that, like almost all pivotal battles on land and sea, luck plays an important and unforeseen part - one way or another! However, it was men who made the various decisions and many of these decisions were critical to the successful outcome - for the Americans. This movie tells the story very well indeed.
In my humble view, this movie ranks in the top twenty of war movies of all time.