Tora! Tora! Tora!

Tora! Tora! Tora!
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Name	Tora! Tora! Tora!
Caption	Theatrical release poster
Director	Richard Fleischer, Kinji Fukasaku, Toshio Masuda
Producer	Elmo Williams
Writer	Larry Forrester, Ryūzō Kikushima, Hideo Oguni
Starring	Martin Balsam, Joseph Cotten, E.G. Marshall, James Whitmore, Tatsuya Mihashi, Takahiro Tamura
Music	Jerry Goldsmith
Cinematography	Charles F. Wheeler, Sinsaku Himeda, Masamichi Satoh
Editing	James E. Newcom, Pembroke J. Herring, Inoue Chikaya
Studio	20th Century Fox
Released	1970
Runtime	144 minutes
Country	United States, Japan
Language	English, Japanese

Tora! Tora! Tora! is a 1970 epic war film that dramatizes the Attack on Pearl Harbor and the events leading to the United States' entry into World War II. Co-directed by American filmmaker Richard Fleischer and Japanese directors Kinji Fukasaku and Toshio Masuda, the film presents a meticulously detailed, dual-perspective account from both the Imperial Japanese Navy and the United States Army and United States Navy. Renowned for its large-scale practical effects and commitment to historical detail, it was a major production for 20th Century Fox following the success of *The Longest Day*.

Plot

The narrative meticulously intercuts between the political and military preparations in Tokyo and Washington, D.C., culminating in the devastating assault on Pearl Harbor. The Japanese storyline, based on the book *The Broken Seal* by Ladislas Farago, follows Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto's strategic planning and the training of the First Air Fleet under Vice Admiral Chuichi Nagumo. The American side, drawing from Gordon W. Prange's *At Dawn We Slept*, depicts the failed diplomatic negotiations, intelligence breakdowns involving the MAGIC codebreaking, and the tragic complacency of commanders like Admiral Husband E. Kimmel and General Walter Short in Hawaii. The film's climax is a lengthy, near-documentary recreation of the December 7 attack, featuring extensive miniature work and coordinated aerial sequences.

Production

The production was an unprecedented and costly joint venture between 20th Century Fox and the Japanese studio Toei Company. Producer Elmo Williams, who won an Academy Award for editing High Noon, spearheaded the project with a mandate for authenticity. American scenes were directed by Richard Fleischer, while the Japanese segments were helmed by Kinji Fukasaku and Toshio Masuda, with scripts by Larry Forrester, Ryūzō Kikushima, and Hideo Oguni. The film utilized actual Mitsubishi A6M Zero aircraft and American warships, with massive, detailed miniatures built at Fox Studios and in Japan. Renowned composer Jerry Goldsmith provided the score, and the elaborate special effects were supervised by A.D. Flowers, who later worked on The Poseidon Adventure.

Historical accuracy

*Tora! Tora! Tora!* is frequently praised for its rigorous approach to historical fidelity, striving to present events without overt editorializing. The film accurately portrays key figures like Isoroku Yamamoto, Husband E. Kimmel, and Walter Short, and incorporates specific, verified details such as the USS *Ward* sinking a Japanese submarine before the air attack. It highlights intelligence failures, including the misrouting of the final Fourteen Part Message and the ignored radar sightings at Opana Point. While compressing some timelines for narrative flow, the film's depiction of the attack's chronology, tactics, and devastation aligns closely with the findings of the Roberts Commission and later historical works by scholars like Gordon W. Prange.

Release and reception

The film premiered in New York City in September 1970 to mixed critical reception. While many reviewers, including those from The New York Times and *Variety*, commended its technical achievement and objective tone, others found it emotionally cold and overly procedural. It was a modest box office success, grossing significantly less than anticipated given its $25 million budget, which was one of the largest of its era. At the 43rd Academy Awards, the film won for Best Visual Effects, awarded to A.D. Flowers and L.B. Abbott, and was nominated for Best Cinematography, Best Art Direction, Best Film Editing, and Best Sound. Its reception in Japan was more favorable, appreciating its nuanced portrayal of Japanese military leadership.

Legacy

*Tora! Tora! Tora!* has grown in stature as a definitive cinematic account of Pearl Harbor, often contrasted with more romanticized later films like *Pearl Harbor*. Its documentary-style approach and balanced perspective have made it a staple in military history education. The film's intricate practical effects, particularly the detailed miniatures and pyrotechnics, are considered landmark achievements, influencing later disaster and war films. It remains a critical touchstone for discussions about historical filmmaking, the responsibilities of dramatizing national trauma, and the complexities of Japan–United States relations. The film is frequently screened at memorial events at the USS Arizona Memorial and studied for its meticulous production design.

Category:1970 films Category:American war films Category:Japanese war films Category:Films about Pearl Harbor Category:20th Century Fox films