In Harm's Way
Producer-director Otto Preminger's epic treatment of the bombing of Pearl Harbor details the devastating sneak attack on the Naval base as well as the explosive behind the scenes stories. An awesome cast of stars including John Wayne, Kirk Douglas, Patricia Neal, Henry Fonda, Carroll O'Connor, Burgess Meredith, Paula Prentiss and a host of other notables are interwoven into this account of the attack itself, the disobeyed orders, the American counter-offensive, father-son reunions, battles at sea and layers of romantic entanglements. It's a story that's been told and re-told, but perhaps never so completely.
Member Reviews
Pearl Harbor is just a convenient backdrop - Neil1
This has to one of the finest films ever built around the back-story of World War II in particular the attack on Pearl Harbor and other Pacific battles. Shot in black and white its various adult themes and subplots and their manner of exploitation come across all the more shocking for their seeming anachronism. Not your standard-issue war movie, it will surprise and entertain you in unexpected ways.Du beau travail - morlock
Les acteurs sont remarquables, John Wayne, Kirk Douglas, Henry fonda. Ce film retrace la 1ere victoire des Américains après la défaite de Pearl Harbour. Des clichés hollywoodiens, des déroulements prévisibles mais une belle réussite globale qui n'est pas exempte de richesse dans la dimension psychologique des personnages et qui réunit beaucoup de scènes merveilleusement tournées.WWII naval movie runs aground - CaptainDave
There are only two problems with In Harm's Way: the script and the direction. Otto Preminger's soap opera, set during the US entry into WWII, looks beautiful, is nicely shot, has decent acting and effects, but it drags like it forgot to weigh anchor before leaving port.
The beginning, the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour, and the ending, the American attempt to repulse an oncoming Japanese armada are exciting. But that only accounts for half an hour of the film. The other two hours remaining are drag on, less-than-filled with the lugubrious romantic entanglements and unaffecting family dramas of characters we never really care about. And is there actually a war going on? Tough to tell.
There might have been a decent flick, here with both tighter script and direction. Save yourself the boredom and rent From Here to Eternity instead.
Member Reviews
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Pearl Harbor is just a convenient backdrop - Neil1
This has to one of the finest films ever built around the back-story of World War II in particular the attack on Pearl Harbor and other Pacific battles. Shot in black and white its various adult themes and subplots and their manner of exploitation come across ...Du beau travail - morlock
Les acteurs sont remarquables, John Wayne, Kirk Douglas, Henry fonda. Ce film retrace la 1ere victoire des Américains après la défaite de Pearl Harbour. Des clichés hollywoodiens, des déroulements prévisibles mais une belle réussite globale qui n'est pas exempte ...WWII naval movie runs aground - CaptainDave
There are only two problems with In Harm's Way: the script and the direction. Otto Preminger's soap opera, set during the US entry into WWII, looks beautiful, is nicely shot, has decent acting and effects, but it drags like it forgot to weigh anchor before ...