Pearl Harbor

Studio: Bci Eclipse Company
Product Type: DVD

Average customer rating:

A failure!
Failure upon failure
Pearl Harbor
Why Bother?
I tried to watch it with my daughter and best friend.

Pearl Harbor (Two-Disc 60th Anniversary Commemorative Edition)
Starring: Ben Affleck , Alec Baldwin , Kate Beckinsale , Colm Feore , and William Fichtner
Director: Michael Bay
Manufacturer: Touchstone / Disney
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

World War II | Military & War | Genres | DVD | Video

War Epics | Military & War | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( P ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Armageddon
Black Hawk Down
Saving Private Ryan (Special Limited Edition)
Titanic (Three-Disc Special Collector's Edition)
We Were Soldiers (Widescreen Edition)

ASIN: B00003CXTG
Release Date: 2001-12-04

Amazon.com

To call Pearl Harbor a throwback to old-time war movies is something of an understatement. Director Michael Bay's epic take on the bombing that brought the United States into World War II hijacks every war movie situation and cliché (some affectionate, some stale) you've ever seen and gives them a shiny, glossy spin until the whole movie practically gleams. Planes glisten, water sparkles, trees beckon--and Bay's re-creation of the bombing itself, a 30-minute sequence that's tightly choreographed and amazingly photographed, sets the action movie bar up quite a few notches. And in updating the classic war film, Bay and screenwriter Randall Wallace (Braveheart) use that old plot standby, the love triangle--this time, it's between two pilots (Ben Affleck and Josh Hartnett) and a nurse (Kate Beckinsale) who find themselves stationed at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, during what they thought would be a nice, sunny tour of duty. Then, of course, history intervened.

For the first 90 minutes of the movie, Affleck and Beckinsale find a nice, appealing chemistry that plays on his strengths as a movie star and hers as a serious actress--he gives her glamour, she gives him smarts. Their truncated romance--the beginning of which is told in flashback so we can get right to the point where he has to leave her to go to England--works, thanks to their charm. They're no Kate and Leo from Titanic (a strategy the film strives hard toward), but they're pretty darn adorable in their own right. Hartnett, as the not entirely unwelcome third wheel, squints bravely but makes only a slight dent in the film. Everyone else in Pearl Harbor--from Cuba Gooding Jr.'s brave navy seaman to Jon Voight's able impersonation of FDR--is pretty much a glorified walk-on, taking a backseat to the pyrotechnics and action sequences that keep the three-hour film in fairly constant motion. But when that action does take hold, Pearl Harbor is quite a thrilling ride. --Mark Englehart

Description

History comes alive in the unforgettable epic motion picture PEARL HARBOR, the spectacular blockbuster brought to the screen by Jerry Bruckheimer and Michael Bay. Astounding visual and audio effects put you at the center of the event that changed the world -- that early Sunday morning in paradise when warplanes screamed across the peaceful skies of Pearl Harbor and jolted America into World War II. This real-life tale of catastrophic defeat, heroic victory, and personal courage focuses on the war's devastating impact on two daring young pilots, Ben Affleck (ARMAGEDDON) and Josh Hartnet (BLACK HAWK DOWN), and a beautiful, dedicated nurse, Kate Beckinsale (SERENDIPITY). PEARL HARBOR is extraordinary moviemaking -- a breathtaking reenactment of the "date which will live in infamy" and a heartfelt tribute to the men and women who lived it.

Customer Reviews:

A failure!.......2007-06-12

When you think about how much money they put into this movie ... and this is what they came up with??? Wow! What a failure.

Failure upon failure.......2007-05-22

It has Ben Aflac (quack) and Alec Baldwin in it. Minus two stars for each of those.

Pearl Harbor.......2007-05-14

Pearl Harbor is one of my favorite movies and I was thrilled with the way I could come to Amazon, order it and have it in my hands in a few days. Great movie and great service. Thanks Amazon.com

Why Bother?.......2007-05-10

"Pearl Harbour" could have been one of the great movies that stick with you for ages after the final credits were run. Although there were some excellent points, the overall movie failed to live up to that potential.

The plot follows to aeroplane-obsessed friends, Rafe McCawley and Danny Walker. Rafe falls in love with a girl Evelyn Johnson, but soon joins the Air Force, where he goes missing. Walker and Johnson end up in Pearl Harbour, start falling in love and then things get more complicated by not only the Japanese military, but also Rafe.

The story rather descends into the mediocre with its amateurish mingling of romance with war. Rather than do one or the other well, it does both appallingly. Unlike other movies that mix genres well, (such as the horror/romantic comedy in Shaun of the Dead), "Pearl Harbour" fails to inspire.

The action scenes were fairly well executed, the CGI being of an excellent quality that enhanced the movie. Cuba Gooding Jnr was also another highlight in his role as Petty Officer Doris Miller. He really was a rare high point in this movie.

For war movie lovers, avoid this one. For romance movie buffs, avoid this one. It was a tragic movie, and not in the good sense.

I tried to watch it with my daughter and best friend........2007-05-01

I honestly did try to watch this movie at one point and just couldn't. It seemed like it dragged on forever and ever. I don't do the long synopsis of movies but I will say this. The story was supposed to revolve around these characters during the attack on Pearl Harbor. That much they got. But I didn't care about the characters, the development really stunk. I found myself rooting for the Japanese pilots, a la MST3K. Drivel doesn't even begin to cover it. The costuming was done well, and the props in the sets well selected, but that's about the only good thing I can say for this movie. Watch it once. This is a movie you'll either love or hate.

The Final Countdown (Widescreen Edition)

Average customer rating:

If You Like "The Phildelphia Experiment", You Will Enjoy This Too.
To Win or Not To Win?
Do they tamper, or do they not?
4 years before "The Philadelphia Experiment" there was ... The Final Countdown
movie

The Final Countdown (Widescreen Edition)
Starring: Kirk Douglas , Martin Sheen , Katharine Ross , James Farentino , and Ron O'Neal
Director: Don Taylor
Manufacturer: Blue Underground
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Sci-Fi Action | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Genres | DVD | Video

World War II | Military & War | Genres | DVD | Video

Blue Underground | Cult Movies | Genres | DVD | Video

DTS | Fully Loaded DVDs | Features | DVD | Video

( F ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

General | Indie & Art House | Stores | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

The Philadelphia Experiment
Midway (Collector's Edition)
The Philadelphia Experiment 2
Time After Time
By Dawn's Early Light

ASIN: B000096IAC
Release Date: 2004-03-30

Amazon.com

With a tantalizing "what-if?" scenario and a respectable cast of Hollywood veterans, The Final Countdown plays like a grand-scale episode of The Twilight Zone. It's really no more than that, and time-travel movies have grown far more sophisticated since this popular 1980 release, but there's still some life remaining in the movie's basic premise: What if a modern-era Navy aircraft carrier--in this case the real-life nuclear-powered U.S.S. Nimitz--was caught in an anomalous storm and thrust 40 years backwards in time to the eve of Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor? Will the ship's commander (Kirk Douglas) interfere with history? Will the visiting systems analyst (Martin Sheen) convince him not to? Will a rescued senator from 1941 (Charles Durning) play an unexpected role in the future of American politics? Veteran TV director Don Taylor doesn't do much with the ideas posed by this potentially intriguing plot; he seems more interested in satisfying aviation buffs with loving footage of F-14 "Jolly Roger" fighter jets, made possible by the Navy's generous cooperation. That makes The Final Countdown a better Navy film than a full-fledged time-travel fantasy, but there's a nice little twist at the end, and the plot holes are easy to ignore. James Cameron would've done it better, but this popcorn thriller makes an enjoyable double-bill with The Philadelphia Experiment. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

If You Like "The Phildelphia Experiment", You Will Enjoy This Too........2007-06-27

While this film's special effects are very dated, the overall film is quite inventive and fun although it is not very original. The story has the stoic Kirk Douglass as the commander of the USS Nimitz, a nuclear aircraft carrier, that is accidentally (?) transported back to the day of Pearl Harbor's attack. Naturally, they take some time getting used to the idea of time travel, but once that sets in their bigger dilemma is deciding whether or not to change history and stop the pending attack on Pearl.

The story line is compelling and there are some intriguing plot twists. Also, the film is well-acted by very familiar faces in addition to Douglass such as the great character actor Charles Durning as a pivotal 1941 U.S. Senator and potential president to succeed FDR should history be altered, the regal Katherine Ross as his assistant, the always believable James Farentino as Douglass's right hand man who is a secret historian writing a book on Pearl Harbor, and the terrific and awfully young looking but ever-confident Martin Sheen (whose hairstyle changes with nearly every scene) who is a mysterious civilian "observer."

My only complaints about this film are the special effects which were poor even for its time, the dialogue which is stiff is some places and overwrought in others, and the absolutely horrific score which I wish was forgettable; it was best suited for a western and not a military film. My son jokingly said that he expected to see General Custer and his troops at any moment on the deck of the carrier. Other than that, this film is good fun, has an intriguing idea, and has some nice plot twists.

See also the following review for better insight than I offered:

Do they tamper, or do they not?, May 20, 2007
By C. MCCALLISTER "dr dolphin"

To Win or Not To Win?.......2007-05-27

What would you do if you were in command of the U.S.S. Nimitz aircraft carrier (yes with F-14 tomcats) and you suddenly found yourself located exactly 2 days before the attack on pearl harbor, having gone through a swirly light, and loud noise. (they get knocked out by the noise)its the day before the attack on pearl habor. right down to radio frequencies being different its so unique. this is one of those rare films that came out and surprised many people with the cool idea of being in a place and time With everything needed to change history! then all thats left to decide is to change the past or not? this film is dated and is restored fairly well however its still a great film starring kirk Douglas. truly a classic great! 5 stars!

Do they tamper, or do they not?.......2007-05-21

Story: The U.S.S. Nimitz, a nuclear aircraft carrier, encounters a strange storm in 1981 and, when the ship clears the storm, the crew eventually figures out that they have been catapulted back to 1941. Specifically, they end up one day before the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor, and they are near Pearl Harbor. A fully-armed nuclear aircraft carrier, with a full complement of 1981 aircraft, right where it could do a lot of damage to the Japanese invasion force, possibly even destroy it. So, the question becomes, "Should they?" Should they tamper with history and re-write it? They are United States military servicemen, in a combat situation, and most the crew says, "Go for it!" But, what of the ramifications? That question becomes highlighted when a 1941 Japanese Zero blows up a 1941 private yacht, near the U.S.S. Nimitz, and the survivors are rescued by the 1981 Navy. Amongst those survivors is a powerful Senator, who could end up being Franklin Roosevelt's Vice President in 1944 (instead of Truman) and then succeed Roosevelt when he dies, thus changing politics from 1941 on.

Cast: The cast is impressive, with Kirk Douglas as the Captain of the Nimitz, Martin Sheen as a Department of Defense observer, Charles Durning as the arrogant, powerful, but basically ethical 1941 Senator Sam Chapman, Katharine Ross as Chapman's beautiful and intelligent assistant, and James Farentino as the Executive Officer of the Nimitz, who is also a history buff writing a book about the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

What was done right: I like Kirk Douglas, and I like how he did this role, with a mixture of intelligence, confidence, and command presence. I also like the premise, which would have horrified Star Trek's Captain Picard ("The Temporal Prime Directive! We must preserve the time-line!"). The footage of the aircraft was impressive, the plot twists were interesting, and I really enjoyed the small surprise at the end.

What could have been better: I did not care for the special effects, especially the temporal storm episodes. They seemed cheap to me, even by the standards of when the film was made (1980). The script was weak at times, with Martin Sheen's dialogue sounding melodramatic, and the melodramatic effect was sometimes exacerbated by a musical score that sounded soap-opera-ish at times.

Personal comment: Perhaps I like the premise of The Final Countdown more than most because I appreciate the manifestations of World War Two. My father was an American soldier when he met my mother in Belgium. No war means no meeting, no wedding bells, no me. I cannot say that my existence counters the horrors of World War Two, but I do appreciate the complex consequences of a world-wide event.

4 years before "The Philadelphia Experiment" there was ... The Final Countdown.......2007-04-28

I think "The Philadelphia Experiment" is better than this movie, but this one came out 4 years before that one. Imagine a US naval fleet being transported back 40 years to the day of the bombing of Pearl Harbor with the potential to change history forever. Essentially this is more brain candy than an action fest but anyone with an interest in maritime themes or fighter jets will love it, especially when F14s are scrambled to intercept the Japanese.

The ending doesn't really resolve anything (what could one expect? Nazi America because they never enter the war?... but with a ship like that on their side... oh heck you get the picture, this is brain candy more than anything else....) but at least it leaves you thinking and on top of that there are quite a few surprises along the way. This could have been a lot worse, but wasn't. Worth seeing, but get the Philly Experiment first.

movie .......2007-04-13

Great old movie. Shipping was slow as it took nearly a week to get

Average customer rating:

Amazing sound, good pictue quality
Didnt like the movie content, but it has some good action scenes
great sound!
Best Blu-Ray yet
A terrible film

Pearl Harbor [Blu-ray]
Starring: Ben Affleck , Alec Baldwin , Kate Beckinsale , Colm Feore , and William Fichtner
Director: Michael Bay
Manufacturer: Walt Disney Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: Blu-ray

Action & Adventure | Blu-ray | Formats | DVD | Video

General | Blu-ray | Formats | DVD | Video

Drama | Blu-ray | Formats | DVD | Video

Military & War | Blu-ray | Formats | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Casino Royale [Blu-ray]
Black Hawk Down [Blu-ray]
Pirates of the Caribbean - The Curse of the Black Pearl [Blu-ray]
Pirates of the Caribbean - Dead Man's Chest [Blu-ray]
The Departed [Blu-ray]

ASIN: B000JVSUS4
Release Date: 2006-12-19

Description

History comes alive in the unforgettable motion picture PEARL HARBOR, the spectacular blockbuster brought to the screen by Jerry Bruckheimer and Michael Bay. Experience the groundbreaking special effects that place you at the center of one of the watershed events of the twentieth century, presented for the first time through the magic of Blu-ray Disc® technology! Ben Affleck, Josh Hartnett and Kate Beckinsale star in this real-life tale of catastrophic defeat, heroic victory, personal courage and sacrifice. See the battle as never before in 1080p high definition, while the astonishing 5.1 48 kHz, 24-bit uncompressed audio will make you feel as though you're in the cockpit of your own fighter plane. The unparalleled realism of Blu-ray Disc® technology delivers a breathtaking reenactment of the "date which will live in infamy."

Customer Reviews:

Amazing sound, good pictue quality.......2007-05-12

This is a great movie to show off your sound system. The uncompressed 5.1 pcm is outstanding.

Didnt like the movie content, but it has some good action scenes.......2007-04-11

The back story blows! But of course the Action sequences of the actual battle are what makes this movie worth watching. Who ever wrote the back story should be gutted then burned. What could have been a great movie was ruined.

great sound!.......2007-04-03

Nice video transfer but better sound. Uncompressed 5.1 PCM, the perfect demo disc.

Best Blu-Ray yet.......2007-03-17

I have several Blu-Ray movies, but this one is the best of them all.

A terrible film.......2007-02-19

What were they thinking? Pearl Harbor is nothing more than an attempt to remake Titanic with Japanese Zeroes instead of an iceberg. While not quite "Postman" bad, Pearl Harbor's awful acting, terrible dialog, and overall uninspired dross toward a delicate historical event marks this film as one for the bargain bin next to "Showgirls."

Average customer rating:

Boring, Tedious and Unfunny
second time around
Slapstick and Destruction! Wow!!
Don't judge a movie by the names on the box...
1941-Review

1941 (Collector's Edition)
Starring: Dan Aykroyd , Ned Beatty , John Belushi , Lorraine Gary , and Bobby Di Cicco
Director: Steven Spielberg
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

Comic Action | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

Comedy | Military & War | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

Continental Divide
Duel (Collector's Edition)
Close Encounters of the Third Kind (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)
The Sugarland Express
Empire of the Sun

ASIN: 0783231032
Release Date: 1999-03-23

Amazon.com

Watching this director's cut, it's finally possible to see why the studio made Spielberg mercilessly hack up this comedy: it's a screaming movie (everyone screams a lot), and screaming movies do not need character development. So all those character-development scenes hit the cutting-room floor and, surprise, they were all critical to Spielberg's pace for the humor in this film. The screaming wasn't that funny then--and it still isn't--but what is funny are the reinserted development scenes, showcasing the now-evident sense of hysteria in the Los Angeles community, post-Pearl Harbor. A bunch of certified nitwits, and a few certified lunatics, act as if Tojo Hideki's entire Imperial force is just off the mainland. Actually, one Japanese submarine is, and it helps fuel the frenzy. John Belushi is Wild Bill Kelso, an insane fighter pilot, and Dan Aykroyd plays a conciliatory tank commander. Robert Stack's performance as General Stilwell, one of the best of the film, finally makes sense. Also fun for the numerous cameos, Spielberg's inside jokes, and John Williams's great score. --Keith Simanton

Customer Reviews:

Boring, Tedious and Unfunny.......2007-06-20

As with another user who wrote in a review, I found this in a discount bin at Wal-Mart. I'd always been aware of the movie, at least from a musical point of view, because John Williams recorded the march and "Swing! Swing! Swing!," his Benny Goodman pastiche, when he was with the Boston Pops Orchestra. (Both are wonderful pieces of music.) But I'd never seen the film. Now I wish I hadn't.

I'm sorry, but this thing misfires in almost every gag. There are some wonderful concepts here, and some hysterical situations (in both senses of the word). And some fine slapstick visuals. But the whole thing is so incredidbly heavy-handed and forced that whatever humor should have been there is crushed to death. In his comments in the bonus material for this DVD (taken quite obviously from a laser-disc version released many years ago), even Spielberg admits that the film should have been funnier. I'll see his bet and raise it: It should have been funny.

Laurel & Hardy could have done the destruction bit in far less time and on a shoestring budget and it would have been funny. The same thing happened a few years ago with a film called MOUSE HUNT, in which an entire mansion is destroyed. Again, L&H did it better in less time. Woody Allen, I believe, once said that any comedy over 90 minutes is doomed to failure. A "comedy" like this, running two hours and 20-some minutes, is sheer torture.

second time around.......2007-06-13

First dvd we got was flawed, replacement is perfect. thanks for quick turnaround!

Slapstick and Destruction! Wow!!.......2007-06-07

I "discovered" this funny movie on theatrical cut VHS many years ago and laffed alot. The directors cut does not diminish the pace. The DVD re-issue of the old Laser Disc in widescreen is OK but Universal gave the public a non-anamorphic version for 16x9 televisions (BOO on Universal!!). This is a collectors version???? Phooey! The zoom setting on projection TVs mess with the period style photography so I watch it on the 4x3 and the picture is sharper despite the purposeful soft, foggy 60 years ago "look". Everyone in this production does a fine job, it's too bad the more positive reviews in Europe were not included.

Don't judge a movie by the names on the box..........2007-05-23

This was in the cheap bin at Wal-Mart, so I thought I'd give it a chance, seeing as how it 'featured' Dan Akroyd and John Belushi directed by Steven Spielberg. Towards the end of the movie, I found myself crying out for the pain to end. Most of the humor lies in the ridiculous slapstick category, which would make it a great children's movie if not for the constant sexual references (honestly, the funniest joke was the innuendo about the B-17). My only hope is that you see this review while trying to decide if you should purchase the DVD, and it makes you decide not to buy it. Epic Failure in the truest sense of the term.

1941-Review.......2007-05-13

Very pleased with the condition of the dvd and the timeframe that the dvd was received.
Thanks

The Final Countdown (Full Screen Edition)

Average customer rating:

If You Like "The Phildelphia Experiment", You Will Enjoy This Too.
To Win or Not To Win?
Do they tamper, or do they not?
4 years before "The Philadelphia Experiment" there was ... The Final Countdown
movie

The Final Countdown (Full Screen Edition)
Starring: Kirk Douglas , Martin Sheen , Katharine Ross , James Farentino , and Ron O'Neal
Director: Don Taylor
Manufacturer: Blue Underground
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Sci-Fi Action | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Genres | DVD | Video

World War II | Military & War | Genres | DVD | Video

Blue Underground | Cult Movies | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Indie & Art House | Stores | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( F ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

The Philadelphia Experiment
Midway (Collector's Edition)
The Philadelphia Experiment 2
Time After Time
By Dawn's Early Light

ASIN: B000096IAD
Release Date: 2004-03-30

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

If You Like "The Phildelphia Experiment", You Will Enjoy This Too........2007-06-27

To Win or Not To Win?.......2007-05-27

Do they tamper, or do they not?.......2007-05-21

4 years before "The Philadelphia Experiment" there was ... The Final Countdown.......2007-04-28

movie .......2007-04-13

Great old movie. Shipping was slow as it took nearly a week to get

The Final Countdown (2-Disc Limited Special Edition)

Average customer rating:

If You Like "The Phildelphia Experiment", You Will Enjoy This Too.
To Win or Not To Win?
Do they tamper, or do they not?
4 years before "The Philadelphia Experiment" there was ... The Final Countdown
movie

The Final Countdown (2-Disc Limited Special Edition)
Starring: Kirk Douglas , Martin Sheen , Katharine Ross , James Farentino , and Ron O'Neal
Director: Don Taylor
Manufacturer: Blue Underground
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Sci-Fi Action | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Genres | DVD | Video

World War II | Military & War | Genres | DVD | Video

Blue Underground | Cult Movies | Genres | DVD | Video

DTS | Fully Loaded DVDs | Features | DVD | Video

Special Editions | Fully Loaded DVDs | Features | DVD | Video

( F ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

General | Indie & Art House | Stores | DVD | Video

The Philadelphia Experiment
Midway (Collector's Edition)
The Philadelphia Experiment 2
Time After Time
By Dawn's Early Light

ASIN: B00019GHQ6
Release Date: 2004-03-30

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

If You Like "The Phildelphia Experiment", You Will Enjoy This Too........2007-06-27

To Win or Not To Win?.......2007-05-27

Do they tamper, or do they not?.......2007-05-21

4 years before "The Philadelphia Experiment" there was ... The Final Countdown.......2007-04-28

movie .......2007-04-13

Great old movie. Shipping was slow as it took nearly a week to get

Average customer rating:

Wake Island
Realistic study of brave men in War...
A priceless epic in film and WWII history in itself.
A War Time, Stir-'Em Up Movie, And Very Well Done
Fight to destroy destruction

Wake Island
Starring: Brian Donlevy , Robert Preston , Macdonald Carey , Albert Dekker , and Barbara Britton
Director: John Farrow
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Adventure | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

Drama | Military & War | Genres | DVD | Video

World War II | Military & War | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $9.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( W ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Guadalcanal Diary
Bataan
Objective Burma
Destination Tokyo
Halls of Montezuma

ASIN: B0001FVDIC
Release Date: 2004-05-25

Amazon.com

Wake Island, a sandbar rising 21 feet out of the South Pacific, was among the first U.S. outposts to be hit by the Japanese, virtually simultaneously with Pearl Harbor. Wake Island the movie was among Hollywood's earliest responses to America's being attacked and drawn into WWII. The Marine Corps defenders of Wake became instant war heroes, akin to the martyrs of the Alamo. Nothing could be done to rescue or even to reinforce and resupply them, and they fought on through air attacks and naval bombardment for two weeks until, finally overrun, they were wiped out.

That searing historical context had a lot to do with the movie's impact in 1942, and the sight of the dark forms of enemy planes coming over the horizon for the first time still carries a shock. Wake Island's a decent film, and it doesn't dishonor its subject with sham heroics and grandstanding. But the New York Film Critics voted John Farrow best director of 1942, and that's a reach. The first half hour sets up the allegory of America as melting pot (there's even a corporal named Goebbels), establishes horseplay as the coin of democratic discourse (especially for gyrenes Robert Preston and the Oscar-nominated William Bendix), and fosters familiar friction between new commander Brian Donlevy and civilian construction supervisor Albert Dekker. Then shortly after a beaming Japanese peace envoy has stopped by for dinner, things get rough. The scenes of warfare are more than adequate, but they'd soon be outdone, sometimes in films much less worthy than Wake Island. --Richard T. Jameson

Customer Reviews:

Wake Island.......2007-05-07

Wake Island (1942) chronicles the "real account" of the battle for Wake Island that occurred between December 8, 1941 and the fall of the island in latter December of the same year. The portrayed "real account" is by no means 100% accurate but does represent the patriotic theme that was prevelent in the U.S. during that time and does (more or less) follow the actual historical account of the battle. It is an excellent, stirring movie and the quality of the master is the best in terms of video and audio quality. The actors -- Brian Donlevy, William Bendix, Preston Foster and MacDonald Carey are all very believable in their roles. Special effects are good for that time period -- especially the initial Japanese invasion of the island that was thwarted by the outgunned, outmanned Marine garrison. The ending of the movie is not accurate at all and one that veterans of the particular Pacific theatre of operations resented at the end of the war.

Realistic study of brave men in War..........2007-01-17

"Wake Island" is a battle for a small atoll in the Central Pacific Ocean west of Honolulu, which was attacked by the Japanese on December 7, 1941, hours after Pearl Harbor... The small U.S. marine garrison held out until the Japanese overran the island on December 23...

It is a story of sacrifice of the gallant and doomed defenders, movingly portrayed by William Bendix, Robert Preston, Brian Donlevy, MacDonald Carey and others... The battle scenes are chillingly photographed in Black and White, and the movie blows the clarion call for a new heroism... It is the 'Alamo of the Pacific,' the cry of 'Remember Wake Island," with the same stirring effects as 'Remember the Alamo,' one hundred years previously...

Well done within its limits, the film bears the unmistakable stamp of truth, and hails as a realistic portrayal of brave men in war...

A priceless epic in film and WWII history in itself........2006-10-19

It is often difficult for the averae modern audience to endure such films.
These propaganda films, especially ones as succesful as Wake Island are crammed with predictability and politically incorrect stereotypes.
Since PC is BS, as far as I'm concerned the film makers did there best with what little resources and information they had. Painfully typical 1940's special effects, and the usual batch of Chinese actors cast as Japanese. "Manzanita Casting" was apparently missed by the production team.
You can read more about the films technical issues and interesting history on IMDB, but enjoy it for what it is with a grain of salt and in its historical context.
It made me want to be a Marine. It is doubtless thousands too joined upon its 1942 theatrical release.
A must for historians with great footage of rarely seen USMC F4F-3 Wildcats.
In the words of R. Lee Ermy- "Semper Fi!"

A War Time, Stir-'Em Up Movie, And Very Well Done .......2005-05-18

It doesn't matter the war. It doesn't matter the country. It doesn't matter the rightness of the cause. A good propaganda movie hits one theme hard: Take a group of people and let the audience get to know and sympathize with them, then show them dying bravely and willingly in defense of hometown values, preferably against an enemy who is cruel. Wake Island follows this formula so effectively and professionally that, despite how dated some of it is, it still (at least for me) can get the emotional juices flowing.

Wake Island itself is an atoll in the middle of the Pacific, scarcely more than an airstrip with sand. It has about three square miles of surface, about the size of The Mall times 11 in Washington D.C. and, at its highest point, is only 21 feet above sea level. At the time of Pearl Harbor it was defended by 385 Marines with 12 fighters, six 5" naval guns and 12 3" anti-aircraft guns. The Japanese were about to throw major naval, air and invasion forces against it. The question wasn't whether Wake would fall, but how many Japanese forces could be tied up trying to take it and how much time the Marines could buy defending it.

In the movie, the island's defenses are led by Marine Major Geoffrey Caton (Brian Donlevy). There are a number of civilian contractors on the island led by Shad McClosky (Albert Dekker). Caton is smart, realistic and tough. McClosky is tough, too, and is dedicated to his job. He wants no interference from the Marines and dislikes Caton. The Marines are represented primarily by William Bendix and Robert Preston as practical jokers, tough when it counts and always ready with their fists. The Japanese when they are seen nearly always wear thick glasses, wear smarmy smiles and have bad teeth.

The Japanese hit the island first with bombers and are held off. The naval forces move in close to bombard the island and are repelled with the loss of at least two destroyers. More bombers hit the island in raid after raid. The Marines hold out for two and a half weeks. Eventually the Japanese launch an amphibious assault. The surviving marines fight on to the last man. The last scene in the movie is Major Caton and McClosky, reconciled as friends, manning a machine gun together against charging Japanese soldiers until explosions fill the screen. Although the movie gives the strong impression that all the Marines were killed, in fact when it was apparent further defense was hopeless a surrender was arranged. That does nothing to diminish what the Marines accomplished, but propaganda films require sacrifice.

In my view, this is one of the better war films of the time, very effective in working up the emotions of the people back home. It still holds up well today. And I'll say a good word about Brian Donlevy. The guy wasn't much of an actor. He was stiff and stolid. One critic said Donlevy became as successful as he did because he came across as a tough guy, but a tough guy who could be on our side. In the right part, he could be very good. Just take look at The Great McGinty, The Glass Key, Destry Rides Again or Beau Geste. While Bill Bendix almost always played good guys, if you want to see a real psychopath in action watch him in the The Glass Key.

The DVD transfer looks very good.

Fight to destroy destruction.......2005-05-07

Tenacious in the face of overwhelming odds, a small force of U.S. Marines defend the strategically important Wake Island against a series of Japanese attacks in 1942's WAKE ISLAND, one of the very first combat movies of World War II. So early, in fact, that production on the movie began before the island fell in late December of 1941.
The real Wake Island fell after the U.S. military force, and a large number of civilian construction workers, surrendered. The movie WAKE ISLAND portrays a `last stand' battle with no survivors. Significantly, the movie opens with the image of a silhouetted bugler playing `Taps.' Scenes of leave taking at Pearl Harbor quickly follow, introducing us to major players Maj. Geoffrey Caton (Brian Donlevy) and Lt. Bruce Cameron (Macdonald Carey). Soon after we move down in class and meet the two representative of the common soldier, Pvt. Joe Doyle (Robert Preston) and Pvt. Aloysius K. 'Smacksie' Randall (William Bendix).
Joe and Smacksie spend their time bickering, bantering, slugging each other and dreaming of home - Smacksie is to muster out within a week when we first meet him. Preston and Bendix are the comic relief, and they supply a rather heavy dose of it. Director John Farrow always included comedy in his movies, but some of the light-hearted moments in WAKE ISLAND surprised me. After all, in early 1942 the war wasn't going at all well for America, and Pearl Harbor and Wake Island both were painfully recent military defeats. Then again, perhaps laughter in the face of adversity and defiance in defeat boosts morale on the homefront.
In any event, the comedy doesn't undercut any of the heroism portrayed, and the understated and restrained Donlevy is just right as the commander facing impossible odds, or, as his character says of Wake Island , "It's a little strip of sand with a lot of water around it.... There's not much to defend, and not much to defend it with." The battle scenes are very well choreographed and considering that it was a rush job the end result is very polished. The transferred print is in good condition. Highly recommended.

National Geographic - Pearl Harbor: Legacy of Attack

Average customer rating:

Best birthday gift for Dad, ever.
History Worth Watching
A powerfully moving tribute to the victims and survivors
Beautifully Made, Yet Painful To Watch
Another Excellent Video From National Geographic

National Geographic - Pearl Harbor: Legacy of Attack
Starring: Tom Brokaw , Bob Ballard , and Carl Carson
Manufacturer: National Geographic Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

Politics | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( N ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

DVDs as Low as $9.49 | The Big DVD Sale | Stores | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

National Geographic's The Battle for Midway
The History Channel's Pearl Harbor
National Geographic's Untold Stories of WWII
National Geographic - Lost Subs
National Geographic - Secrets of the Titanic

ASIN: B00005NTOG
Release Date: 2001-11-06

Amazon.com

The man who will always be known for finding the Titanic, Robert Ballard, contends that there's still a lot we don't know about the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on the morning of December 7, 1941. And by going underwater he's determined to find out some of the lesser-known aspects of the Sunday morning when America was plunged into World War II. Everyone knows about the Japanese torpedo plane attacks, but Ballard, along with American and Japanese veterans, sought out the wreckage of a Japanese midget submarine that actually became the first casualty of the battle when it was sunk by an American destroyer an hour before the Japanese airplanes made their appearance. And while thousands pay their respects at the memorial built atop the wreckage of the sunken battleship Arizona, an elite team of divers from the National Park Service fear the old battlewagon is an "ecological time bomb" because of vast amounts of fuel oil still aboard. Diving robots equipped with cameras are used to assess the condition of the wreck, and sections of the ship not seen since the morning of the attack are viewed. This is a fascinating documentary that combines commentary by historians, including author Stephen Ambrose, with spectacular underwater photography. --Robert J. McNamara

Description

A contemporary look at the surprise raid that propelled America's entry into WWII. Includes never-before-seen images from inside the sunken USS Arizona and an undersea expedition by famed Titanic discoverer Dr. Robert Ballard. Pearl Harbor survivors share their painful and poignant stories and renowned historian Stephen Ambrose adds powerful historical perspective. Narrated by Tom Brokaw.

Customer Reviews:

Best birthday gift for Dad, ever........2006-03-18

I gave Pearl Harbour to my Dad last week for his 74th birthday, and when I spoke to my mum this evening he was watching it again, for eighth time. Quoting my father: "I see something different every time I watch it!" and, " This will be a collectors item in ten years!". It's fun buying him things he likes.

History Worth Watching.......2005-03-12

I got this video as a part of a three DVD National Geographic set of WWII related topics. What interested me the most about this video was the combination of original film with elderly veterans giving a first person account of what they experienced at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. There is a third aspect to this DVD having to do with a modern underwater search for a sunken Japanese mini-sub. There were times that this story was somewhat interesting but mostly it interfered with the rest of the program. As I understand it, this search was the reason that the National Geographic took on this project. If so, I guess this documentary had to give that search SOME coverage. However, I would have preferred more of the interviews and the the original film of the attack and its' aftermath. History is presented well in "Pearl Harbor; Legacy of Attack" and it is aided by the excellent narration of Tom Brokaw. Overall I give this DVD a "4.5" but it could have been a "5".

A powerfully moving tribute to the victims and survivors.......2004-12-09

Robert Ballard's search for the Japanese sub fired upon by the Ward an hour before the attack on Pearl Harbor and the promise of the first look inside the sunken USS Arizona may be the featured selling points for this wonderful National Geographic special, but it is the personal stories of Pearl Harbor survivors that makes this a moving, incredibly rewarding video experience. This special, hosted by Tom Brokaw, was filmed to coincide with the 60th anniversary of the reprehensible sneak attack, and it is definitely one of the most impressive Pearl Harbor documentaries I have seen.

The video deals almost as much with the present as it does the past, switching back and forth between then and now in a pattern which basically takes you through the overall sequence of events on the day that will forever live in infamy. Personally, I could have done with much less footage of Ballard's search for the Japanese midget sub; it's certainly interesting, but the search fails to provide us with any important new information. The footage taken by robotic vehicles from inside the Arizona was also interesting; this was, after all, the first time the interior of the ill-fated battleship has been seen since the morning of December 7, 1941.

I won't quibble very much about the description and footage of the attack. Obviously, this one video could not go into all of the tragic events of that day, but it does offer a good overview of the situation, does great honor to those who died that Sunday morning as well as those who survived, and gives mention to several facts that aren't mentioned all that often - e.g., the fact that a sub was spotted approaching Pearl Harbor four hours before the attack (and three hours before a second sub was sighted and fired upon by the Ward). It also describes the senseless positioning of naval forces on that morning, making US ships and planes sitting ducks to the overpowering air attack. It does not go so far as to cast blame or ask who knew what in advance, but it does drive home the point that Japanese forces gave themselves away three times in the hours preceding the attack, but no action of any kind was taken by anyone on Oahu. It should not be a secret by now, of course, that the depth of the disaster that day had as much to do with American military incompetence as it did the actual Japanese attack.

The heart of Pearl Harbor, though, is the stories of the victims and the survivors, and this documentary does a great service to all those young men and women. Personal stories of bravery, such as that of Dorie Miller, are told, but these are far surpassed in emotional terms by a number of personal stories of victims - these are stories some men carried with them for decades, and few can relate them now without shedding tears of horror and heartbreak. One survivor had come to Pearl Harbor for the first time in six decades, finally opening up and telling his story because he knew he had only a few months to live. All of those men who suffered and died must never be forgotten, and they must never be relegated to mere numbers. Hearing the personal stories of survivors, no matter how horrible the things they describe witnessing, brings the importance of every individual soul lost that fateful day into the proper perspective. I daresay there are very few men and women who can watch this National Geographic special without becoming emotional themselves - it is a powerful presentation that I think every American should see.

Beautifully Made, Yet Painful To Watch.......2004-07-09

Nobody who has been to Pearl Harbor and the 'Arizona' memorial is untouched by the experience. I had always wanted to visit it since I was a child, and finally did so in 2002. Even after all the planning and anticipation, it was still far more emotional and moving that I could have imagined. This DVD is like that, too, although on a smaller scale. Even if you have read about Pearl Harbor, this documentary still has the power to draw tears to the eyes of viewers.

The DVD is multifaceted. In part it showcases Bob Ballard and his quest for a Japanese midget sub. That is interesting enough, but that isn't the real attraction of the documentary. The more important part of the film are images of the December 7, 1941 attack, the haunting footage of the 'Arizona' as she is now (including unbelievable interior shots), and most powerfully of all, the interviews with Pearl Harbor survivors. There are also some interactive maps, a behind the scenes feature and extended survivor interviews as bonus features.

I really must emphasize the importance of the survivor interviews. These interviews are unstructured, and they tell the audience what they think is important. It is all important. I can't imagine that anyone can listen to these men recount their experiences without feeling a huge debt of gratitude to them. They are true American heroes. This DVD is about sacrifice and the things that are good about the United States. It is hard to watch what they went through, but it is important that we never forget.

Buy this DVD and remember the lessons of Pearl Harbor.

Another Excellent Video From National Geographic.......2002-05-01

This video does an excellent job of telling the story of the Pearl Harbor Attack by using actual footage as well as testimonials of survivors. Again, National Geographic has solicited the help of Dr. Robert Ballard in hopes of finding a sunken Japanese midget submarine which tried to enter the harbor during the attack. Dr. Ballard has been featrued in other National Geographic videos dealing with the search for the U.S.S. Yorktown, the German Battleship Bismarck, and the ships of Ironbottom Sound. I own all of these other videos and I particularly enjoy Ballard's approach to finding sunken ships, so I was anxious to see how he would do in his search for the Japanese submarine. Survivors of the U.S.S. Ward, an American destroyer on patrol on December 7, 1941, are interviewed in this video. Their ship was the actual one which fired on and sank the sub that Ballard is searching for. I have always enjoyed the way that National Geographic has blended together the actual war footage along with the stories of the survivors, and this video keeps up the tradition. Perhaps my favorite part of this video was seeing the first images taken from inside the U.S.S. Arizona. It was really someting special to see. I would highly recommend this video to anyone who enjoys underwater adventures as well as Pearl Harbor readers/viewers.

Pearl Harbor - The Director's Cut (Three-Disc Vista Series)

Average customer rating:

A failure!
Failure upon failure
Pearl Harbor
Why Bother?
I tried to watch it with my daughter and best friend.

Pearl Harbor - The Director's Cut (Three-Disc Vista Series)
Starring: Ben Affleck , Josh Hartnett , Kate Beckinsale , Cuba Gooding Jr. , and Jon Voight
Director: Michael Bay
Manufacturer: Buena Vista Home Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

World War II | Military & War | Genres | DVD | Video

War Epics | Military & War | Genres | DVD | Video

DTS | Fully Loaded DVDs | Features | DVD | Video

Vista Series | Fully Loaded DVDs | Features | DVD | Video

( P ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Action & Adventure | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video

Drama | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video

Military & War | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Armageddon
Black Hawk Down
Saving Private Ryan (Special Limited Edition)
Titanic (Three-Disc Special Collector's Edition)
We Were Soldiers (Widescreen Edition)

ASIN: B00005Q3TZ
Release Date: 2002-07-02

Amazon.com

Sometimes bigger is actually better. Nearly matching the size of director Michael Bay's ego, this massive four-disc set is a veritable Pearl Harbor archive, and ironically, Bay's film remains the least interesting component. It's a purely conventional Hollywood take on the tragedy, using a clichéd love triangle between two ace pilots (Josh Hartnett, Ben Affleck) and a Pearl Harbor nurse (Kate Beckinsale) as an "intimate" means of spectacularly re-creating the attack that thrust America into World War II. The director's cut adds little to the previous DVD release, apart from authentic R-rated carnage during the Japanese raid, and minor expansion of the Hartnett-Beckinsale romance. Commentaries range from superfluous (Bay and film historian Jeanine Basinger) to highly entertaining (Ben Affleck and costars) and technically informative (primary production team), and a spirited examination of visual effects (with Bay and ILM supervisor Eric Brevig) is guaranteed to fascinate anyone interested in physical effects and CGI. A broad "making of" documentary is noteworthy for one-time viewing, while abundant historical records make this a valuable compilation of definitive materials.

The History Channel's "One Hour over Tokyo" and "Unsung Heroes of Pearl Harbor" provide depth that Bay's movie lacks, and Charles Kiselyak's interactive timeline is arguably the finest feature included, providing an in-depth historical perspective on U.S.-Japan relations. Even a brief reenactment of a Pearl Harbor nurse's journal is moving in a way that Bay's film can only try to be, while the "Interactive Attack Sequence" provides a multifaceted exploration of the entire production process (a highly educational feature for aspiring filmmakers). All in all, these four discs offer an admirable balance between Bay's technically impressive but ill-conceived epic and a thorough, fitting tribute to those who endured hell on that fateful Sunday in 1941. --Jeff Shannon

Description

PEARL HARBOR: THE DIRECTOR'S CUT Vista Series DVD is the most extensive exploration of moviemaking ever presented. Four discs showcase more than 60 new shots in the film and over 12 hours of new special features. There's never been anything like it before. History comes alive in the unforgettable epic motion picture PEARL HARBOR, the spectacular blockbuster brought to the screen by Jerry Bruckheimer and Michael Bay. Astounding visual and audio effects put you at the center of the event that changed the world -- that early Sunday morning in paradise when warplanes screamed across the peaceful skies of Pearl Harbor and jolted America into World War II. This real-life tale of catastrophic defeat, heroic victory, and personal courage focuses on the war's devastating impact on two daring young pilots, Ben Affleck (ARMAGEDDON) and Josh Hartnett (BLACK HAWK DOWN), and a beautiful, dedicated nurse, Kate Beckinsale (SERENDIPITY). PEARL HARBOR is extraordinary moviemaking -- a breathtaking reenactment of the "date which will live in infamy" and a heartfelt tribute to the men and women who lived it.

Customer Reviews:

A failure!.......2007-06-12

When you think about how much money they put into this movie ... and this is what they came up with??? Wow! What a failure.

Failure upon failure.......2007-05-22

It has Ben Aflac (quack) and Alec Baldwin in it. Minus two stars for each of those.

Pearl Harbor.......2007-05-14

Pearl Harbor is one of my favorite movies and I was thrilled with the way I could come to Amazon, order it and have it in my hands in a few days. Great movie and great service. Thanks Amazon.com

Why Bother?.......2007-05-10

I tried to watch it with my daughter and best friend........2007-05-01

Average customer rating:

The Definitive Pearl Harbor Documentary
Great Documentaries On The Pacific War
A fantastic DVD
War in the pacific
A little misleading

The History Channel's Pearl Harbor
Starring: Pearl Harbor
Manufacturer: A&E Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $9.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( H ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Documentary | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video

Military & War | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video

National Geographic - Pearl Harbor: Legacy of Attack
The Last Days of World War II (History Channel)
D-Day - The Total Story
Pearl Harbor: