Destination Tokyo
"Remarkably heroic and suspenseful action. The Warners really sweat you out with this one." - Bosley Crowther, The New York Times
What the World War II-era film Air Force is to the skies, Destination Tokyo is to the seas. In the only military-action film he made during the was, Cary Grant plays Captain Cassidy of the U.S. submarine Copperfin, skippering his torpedo-laden thunderfish with courage and resourcefulness as it makes its battle-strewn way from San Francisco to the Aleutians and into the enemy's front yard. Under the trim, taut direction of Delmar Daves (his directorial debut), John Garfield leads a stellar array of costars as boys-next-door gone to war. "One of the most rousing, action-filled WWII films ever produced with a powerful cast and terrific story, Destination Tokyo remains a classic war drama to this day" (The Motion Picture Guide).
Member Reviews
Destination Tokyo - GAR81
As a war movie it is ok, Cary Grant displays many elements of a war hero being a top solider, inspiring captain and even a ladys man but it is not one of his better outings. I think we are used to seeing Cary being in romantic films opposite the likes of deborah kerr and audrey hepburn. Cary Grant is Cary Grant and he gets away with playing most rolesPropaganda...but well done propaganda - Anon1832
As a war movie, it is perfectly understandable that Destination Tokyo would be passionately pro-American and aimed at raising morale at home and in the troops. The movie portrays all the stereotypes of the good soldier- the womaniser, the young recruit, the experienced captain...but does it with good grace and joy. I am not normally a fan of war movies, but this movie has darn good relationships and really explores the mindset of the sailor submariners. Sure, it's over the top and doesn't show any negatives, but for the time period, it isn't overtly racist (yes the japanese are portrayed as bad...but not inherently, it's their system that makes them bad!). The performances are good and the story is well told!A great war effort - Magician780
I've seen people on imdb comment on the movie's poor special effects, obvious pro-american propaganda and cliché development. Let me answer this movie is a gem for all of these very reasons and more. First of all the movie is more realistic than most war movies today. There is no over the top action sequence, no superhuman hero. The pro-american sentiment pervasive throughout is normal and expected since this was produced during the war before the outcome was known, and so much was hanging in the balance. Finally this movie was influential in setting up the different clichés before they were cliché, mostly referring to the one sided personalities of some of the members of the crew, we still get to like them, understand them & feel for them, each of them portrays a bit of what I possibly would feel like if I was on board a submarine in what could be a suicide mission. I am amazed by the courage of the men who historically did perform this crucial service to their nation. I think the movie did a good job of not getting americans to judge and hate the children of Japan, but rather any system of belief that teaches children how to kill, and that message is still valid in the world today.
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Destination Tokyo - GAR81
As a war movie it is ok, Cary Grant displays many elements of a war hero being a top solider, inspiring captain and even a ladys man but it is not one of his better outings. I think we are used to seeing Cary being in romantic films opposite the likes of deborah ...Propaganda...but well done propaganda - Anon1832
As a war movie, it is perfectly understandable that Destination Tokyo would be passionately pro-American and aimed at raising morale at home and in the troops. The movie portrays all the stereotypes of the good soldier- the womaniser, the young recruit, the ...A great war effort - Magician780
I've seen people on imdb comment on the movie's poor special effects, obvious pro-american propaganda and cliché development. Let me answer this movie is a gem for all of these very reasons and more. First of all the movie is more realistic than most war movies ...