Tora! Tora! Tora! Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Typing errors and Sunday morning golf games lead to a really bad day for the U.S. Navy in Hawaii.

🍿 Tora! Tora! Tora!: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Diplomatic Tensions and Military Planning

In 1941, Japan and the United States face escalating tensions due to the US embargo on raw materials crucial for Japan’s war efforts. Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, Commander-in-Chief of the Combined Fleet, recognizes the dire consequences of war with the US but is ordered to plan a preemptive strike. Meanwhile, American intelligence begins deciphering Japanese communications, hinting at potential aggression.

Intelligence Failures and Missed Warnings

Despite breaking the Japanese Purple Code, American intelligence struggles to effectively convey the impending threat to key personnel. In Washington D.C., frantic attempts to warn commanders are hampered by bureaucracy and complacency. At Pearl Harbor, defensive measures are implemented, but critical information is dismissed or delayed due to various misjudgments and communication breakdowns.

The Attack on Pearl Harbor

On December 7, 1941, Japanese forces launch a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. The attack catches the American forces completely off guard, resulting in significant destruction of ships and aircraft. Despite the chaos, acts of heroism emerge as soldiers and sailors bravely defend their base. The Japanese achieve their initial objective, but key elements, like the US aircraft carriers, remain untouched.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto (Sô Yamamura): The Commander-in-Chief of the Combined Fleet who planned the attack on Pearl Harbor with reservations about the long-term consequences.
• Admiral Husband E. Kimmel (Martin Balsam): The Commander of the Pacific Fleet who is blamed for the lack of preparedness at Pearl Harbor.
• General Walter C. Short (Jason Robards): The Army commander in Hawaii who is also blamed for the Pearl Harbor disaster due to defensive miscalculations.
• Lt. Commander Fuchida (Takahiro Tamura): The lead pilot who successfully executes the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor.
• Colonel Rufus S. Bratton (E.G. Marshall): The Army G-2 Lieutenant Colonel who works to interpret the Purple Code and is concerned about the threat.
• Lt. Commander Alvin D. Kramer (Wesley Addy): The Navy Lieutenant Commander in American intelligence who collects radio intercepts and tries to warn the White House.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto: “I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve.” – Yamamoto expresses his concern about the long-term consequences of the attack on Pearl Harbor, recognizing the potential of the United States.
• Commander Mitsuo Fuchida: “Tora! Tora! Tora!” – The code words radioed to the Japanese fleet to indicate complete surprise was achieved at Pearl Harbor.
• Secretary of State Cordell Hull: “In all my fifty years of public service, I have never seen a document crowded with falsehoods and deliberate distortions on a scale so huge that, until this day, I would have thought no nation on Earth capable of uttering them!” – Hull rebuffs the Japanese ambassador after the attack, expressing his outrage at the deceptive nature of the Japanese actions.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $25,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $29,548,291
• Worldwide Gross: $29,548,291

💥 Tora! Tora! Tora! Reviews

Personal Review

I first saw ‘Tora! Tora! Tora!’ when I was a kid, and the attack scenes blew my mind. Watching it again, I appreciate how it tries to show both sides of the story, even if it’s a bit dry at times. The scale of the production is impressive, but I wish there were more focus on the people involved. Still, it’s a must-see for anyone interested in WWII history.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “History buffs”
  • “War movie enthusiasts”
  • “Those interested in WWII events”
  • “Viewers seeking a detailed, balanced perspective on Pearl Harbor”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “War violence”
  • “Explosions and destruction”
  • “Brief intense combat sequences”
  • “Historical subject matter may be sensitive to some viewers”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “”Tora! Tora! Tora!” offers a meticulously detailed, if somewhat detached, account of the Pearl Harbor attack. The large-scale action sequences are impressive, especially considering the era, but the lack of character development leaves the film feeling more like a docudrama than an emotionally engaging narrative.
• The New York Times: “While visually spectacular, “Tora! Tora! Tora!” sacrifices human drama for historical accuracy. The film is a technical achievement, recreating the events with remarkable detail, but it lacks a compelling narrative and relatable characters. A decent history lesson but a poor movie.
• RogerEbert.com: “”Tora! Tora! Tora!” is one of the deadest, dullest blockbusters ever made. Its failing is the absence of characters to identify with. No one emerges as a memorable person. The film was a costly production of historical record, and nothing more.

Audience Reactions

Realistic battle scenes that are impressive even by today’s standards.: Viewers appreciate the film’s attempts at historical accuracy and its depiction of the events from both American and Japanese perspectives.

The film’s neutral stance and avoids jingoism, offering a balanced view of the events.: The special effects remain outstanding and the film remains relevant as a historical docudrama.

Overall Consensus: “Tora! Tora! Tora!” is praised for its historical accuracy and spectacular battle scenes, but criticized for its lack of character development and slow pace. It remains a valuable historical document, but may not appeal to viewers seeking a more emotionally engaging narrative.

Awards

1. Academy Award (Best Visual Effects)- 1971

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Akira Kurosawa was originally slated to direct the Japanese sequences, but he was replaced after disagreements over the film’s vision and budget.”
• “Many of the Japanese aircraft seen in the film were actually modified American planes, such as the T-6 Texan trainer, to resemble Japanese aircraft.”
• “To recreate the Pearl Harbor attack on a large scale without CGI, the production team built a full-scale mock-up of a portion of the USS Arizona, and used miniatures for long shots.”

🖥️ How to Watch Tora! Tora! Tora!?

Tora! Tora! Tora! is available for rent or purchase on various platforms, including Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Check local listings for potential broadcast schedules. Physical copies on Blu-ray and DVD can be purchased through online retailers like Amazon and at major retail stores.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Tora! Tora! Tora!, you might like these similar films:

• Midway (1976): A direct comparison, covering a pivotal naval battle in the Pacific Theater shortly after Pearl Harbor.
• The Longest Day (1962): Similar epic scope and multi-national perspective focusing on a crucial World War II event (D-Day).
• A Bridge Too Far (1977): Examines the lead-up to and execution of a major military operation, highlighting strategic miscalculations and human cost.
• Darkest Hour (2017): Illustrates the high-stakes political decisions during WWII, depicting the challenges of leadership during times of crisis.

🛒 Tora! Tora! Tora! Related Products

• Tora! Tora! Tora! [Blu-ray]: High-definition Blu-ray of the film, offering enhanced picture and sound quality. A great addition to the collection of any film enthusiast.
• 1/700 Scale Japanese Aircraft Carrier Akagi: Highly detailed model of the Akagi, the aircraft carrier that led the attack on Pearl Harbor. This plastic model kit requires assembly and painting.
• Pearl Harbor Board Game: A strategy board game where players recreate the events of Pearl Harbor, either as the attacker or defender. Features historical accuracy.
• Vintage WWII Propaganda Poster – Remember Pearl Harbor: A reproduction of a classic WWII propaganda poster, reminding viewers of the Pearl Harbor attack. High quality print on archival paper.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “Main Title” – performed by Jerry Goldsmith
• “At Last” – performed by Harry Warren

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

🤨 FAQ

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