Operation Pacific Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A tough submarine XO must fix torpedoes that explode too early and somehow win back his ex-wife, all while wrangling orphans and dealing with father issues in WWII.

🍿 Operation Pacific: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Secret Rescue Mission

The film opens with the USS Thunderfish, a US Navy submarine, undertaking a covert mission to rescue a group of orphans and nuns from a Japanese-held island in the Pacific. The mission is successful, highlighting the crew’s bravery under challenging circumstances.

The Torpedo Problem and Shore Leave

During a subsequent patrol, the Thunderfish encounters a Japanese aircraft carrier, but their torpedoes malfunction, failing to explode upon impact. This recurring issue plagues the US submarine fleet. Back in Pearl Harbor, Executive Officer Duke Gifford reunites with his ex-wife, Navy nurse Mary Stuart, rekindling old feelings amidst lingering tension.

Return to Duty and Personal Conflicts

Despite their personal issues, Duke and Mary face the reality of the war as the Thunderfish is ordered back out on patrol. Duke grapples with his responsibilities on the submarine and his complicated relationship with Mary, who is also being courted by Lt. Bob Perry, the younger brother of the Thunderfish’s Captain, ‘Pop’ Perry.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Lt Cmdr. Duke E. Gifford (John Wayne): The brave and dedicated Executive Officer, and later Captain, of the USS Thunderfish who is driven to solve the torpedo malfunction problem and win back his ex-wife.
• Lt. (j.g.) Mary Stuart (Patricia Neal): A Navy nurse and Duke’s ex-wife, who must navigate her lingering feelings for Duke while dating his commander’s brother.
• Cmdr. John T. ‘Pop’ Perry (Ward Bond): The experienced and respected Captain of the USS Thunderfish and Duke’s close friend and mentor.
• Lt. (j.g.) Bob Perry (Philip Carey): A Navy pilot, younger brother of Pop Perry, and the rival for Mary Stuart’s affection.
• The Chief (Jack Pennick): A seasoned Chief Petty Officer aboard the Thunderfish, providing practical wisdom and support to the crew and officers.
• Jonesy (Paul Picerni): A lively crewman on the submarine, known for his humor and embodying the spirit of the enlisted sailors.
• Cmdr. Steele (Kathryn Givney): Mary Stuart’s insightful and stern commanding officer at the Pearl Harbor hospital.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Cmdr. John T. ‘Pop’ Perry: “Take ‘er down!” – The final, fateful command given just before the submarine dives, leaving him trapped on the bridge.
• Duke E. Gifford: “Chiefs have been taking care of this man’s Navy for a long time, Mister Caldwell. Don’t worry about him, there’s a lot of good sailors back there for him to take care of.” – Said to a young ensign after the death of the Chief, reflecting on the vital role of experienced enlisted men in the Navy.
• Cmdr. Steele: “You married him for what he was, Mary, a fighting man. And then you tried to change him into what you thought he should be.” – A senior nurse gives Mary Stuart a stern lecture about the failure of her marriage to Duke, highlighting the conflict between his duty and her expectations.
• Duke E. Gifford: “Rig for silent running.” – A standard, yet iconic, command given when the submarine needs to minimize noise to avoid detection by the enemy.

💰Box Office

• Budget: N/A
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 Operation Pacific Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, I just watched ‘Operation Pacific’ and it’s exactly what you’d expect from a 50s John Wayne war movie, for better or worse. The submarine stuff was pretty cool, especially hearing about those torpedoes that just wouldn’t work right – I had no idea that was a real historical problem! The action scenes, even with the stock footage, managed to get me hooked, wondering how they’d get out of each scrape. But man, that romance subplot on shore? It really felt like it belonged in a different movie. I mean, Duke trying to win back his ex while everyone’s fighting a war felt a bit jarring. And the scene with the kids on the sub… charmingly unrealistic, I guess? Still, Ward Bond was great in his role, and there’s a certain old-school charm to the whole thing if you don’t take it too seriously.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic John Wayne movies”
  • “Enthusiasts of World War II films”
  • “Viewers interested in submarine warfare dramas”
  • “Those who enjoy military romance subplots”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “War violence and combat sequences”
  • “Depiction of death and sacrifice”
  • “May contain dated cultural or racial perspectives typical of the era”

Professional Reviews

• Naval History Quarterly (Parody): “”Operation Pacific” dives into the murky waters of WWII submarine warfare, offering glimpses of the real struggles like the infamous torpedo issues. While the action sequences have their moments, the shore leave segments often feel forced and melodramatic, bogged down by a predictable romance. John Wayne delivers a performance fitting his persona, but the film struggles to maintain consistent tension below the surface.
• Classic Film Fanatic: “This John Wayne vehicle delivers on submarine action and period patriotism, showcasing the bravery of the ‘Silent Service’. However, the attempts at a dramatic love triangle ashore often fall flat, feeling dated and less compelling than the underwater conflict. Fans of classic war movies and The Duke will find familiar ground, but don’t expect the depth of later, more realistic submarine dramas. An enjoyable, if uneven, ride.

Audience Reactions

The scenes highlighting the historical issue with faulty WWII torpedoes were a fascinating and unexpected detail.: Many viewers appreciated the submarine action and John Wayne’s performance, particularly the moments showing the camaraderie and sacrifice of the crew. The historical nod to the torpedo problems resonated with some.

Overall Consensus: A classic, albeit dated, John Wayne war film praised for its submarine action and historical backdrop regarding torpedo issues, but often criticized for a lackluster and melodramatic romance subplot.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Due to a low budget, the film extensively used stock footage from World War II naval battles and other movies to depict submarine action and surface ships.”
• “The plotline involving American torpedoes frequently failing to detonate or exploding prematurely was based on a real and significant problem that plagued the U.S. submarine force during the early years of WWII.”
• “The dramatic scene where the submarine commander is killed on the bridge while giving the order to dive was inspired by the real-life sacrifice of Commander Howard W. Gilmore of the USS Growler, who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for a similar action.”
• “Some reviewers noted that the interior sets of the submarine appeared significantly more spacious than actual WWII submarines, likely built larger for ease of filming.”

🖥️ How to Watch Operation Pacific?

To watch the classic WWII submarine drama ‘Operation Pacific’ (1951), check major digital platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. It may be available for rent or purchase digitally. Physical copies on DVD or Blu-ray can often be found through online retailers.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Operation Pacific, you might like these similar films:

• Run Silent, Run Deep (1958): A classic WWII submarine film starring Clark Gable and Burt Lancaster, known for its tense cat-and-mouse battles and focus on submarine tactics, often considered a direct comparison in the genre.
• Das Boot (1981): Known for its gritty realism and claustrophobic portrayal of submarine warfare, offering a stark contrast to the often more romanticized Hollywood versions of the era, providing a modern, thematic comparison on the psychological toll of submarine duty.
• Destination Tokyo (1943): Another popular Warner Bros. WWII submarine film, notably shown and commented upon by the characters within ‘Operation Pacific’ itself, making it a unique era-specific comparison.
• The Caine Mutiny (1954): While a surface ship drama, it shares themes of command pressure, duty, and navigating difficult relationships within a military context, similar to Duke Gifford’s struggles.
• The Enemy Below (1957): A highly regarded cult classic in the submarine genre, focusing on a tense duel between an American destroyer and a German U-boat, appealing to fans who enjoy strategic naval combat.

🛒 Operation Pacific Related Products

• USS Gato Class Submarine Model Kit: Build your own replica of the Gato-class submarine, similar to the fictional USS Thunderfish. This detailed model kit offers a hands-on way to appreciate the design and scale of these WWII vessels.
• “Blind Man’s Bluff: The Untold Story of American Submarine Espionage”: While ‘Operation Pacific’ focuses on combat, this acclaimed book delves into the secret history of U.S. submarines, including challenges faced during WWII. Available as a Kindle eBook or audiobook.
• Classic WWII Submarine Movie Collection (DVD/Blu-ray): Own ‘Operation Pacific’ alongside other classic submarine films like ‘Destination Tokyo’ (which is actually featured in a scene!) for a comprehensive look at how Hollywood portrayed the underwater war.
• WWII Naval Combat Simulation Game (PC/Console): Experience the tension and strategy of submarine warfare firsthand. While not directly ‘Operation Pacific’ branded, games like the Silent Hunter series allow players to command a U.S. submarine in the Pacific against the Japanese fleet, dealing with similar challenges.

🎧 Soundtrack

Operation Pacific features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “We Watch the Skyways” – performed by Max Steiner

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Crash Diving! Submarines and U-Boats

Ever wonder about the intense ‘crash diving’ maneuver you see in classic submarine movies like Operation Pacific? This video actually uses clips from the film to break down how it worked – it’s super interesting to see the real tactic explained using the movie’s footage!

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