[CNHS70 WEB] Pearl
Harbor
Original Title:
'Tennessee', named after USS Tennessee, one of the ships that was badly damaged at Pearl Harbor, and because that's where the lead characters were from – Rafe, played by Ben Affleck and Danny, played by Josh Hartnett. It was a wise decision to change it because that name does not have mass appeal as ‘Pearl Harbor’ does.
Plot Summary:
Rafe and Danny are boyhood friends who grew up in rural Tennessee. Rafe had aspirations of becoming a fighter pilot at an early age with Danny as his willing co-pilot. They’d spend hours on a wrecked plane and pretend to fly as many boys that age do.
The story unfolds with the two friends now serving as officers in the U.S. Army Air Corps. Rafe is a young, talented, confident pilot who is selected to fight with the British Royal Air Force in Europe where World War II had been raging for two years. America is not at war yet but Rafe willingly went, leaving his sweetheart, Evelyn, a navy nurse played by Kate Beckinsale, behind.
Danny and Evelyn were both stationed in Hawaii. Life is wonderful for these young pilots, sailors and nurses. Away in a tropical paradise where they spend most of their time dancing and enjoying the beauty of the island, unaware of the impending disaster.
Rafe’s plane is shot down and he is presumed killed in action. As love triangles go, Danny and Evelyn turn to each other for comfort over their loss. Then, predictably, Rafe returns making life quite complicated for all three of them. Danny and Rafe drift apart only to be reunited by the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Why the love
triangle?
Due to the intensity of the attack, there were valid fears that racial tensions would heat up again. The love story was added to soften the plot.
Background Info:
Although the main characters are fictional, most characters are based on real people who actually served during the war. Most of the antique planes were loaned by the owners at no cost provided they get to fly them in the movie. The cast went through rigorous training alongside active military personnel and were not given preferential treatment. This is the most expensive movie production to date.
Why the attack?
Japan had dreams of building an empire in Southeast Asia mainly for its oil resource. Japan had built lots of machinery and in badly need of oil. Most of its fuel/oil supply came from the U.S. But because Japan had made a pact with Russia, the U.S. had placed a complete oil embargo against Japan by the middle of 1941. Even as talks continued in Washington D.C., Japan had plotted an attack against the U.S. Several Japanese communications were intercepted at D.C. that suggested an impending attack on U.S. military. However, it was not known where and when the attack would take place. They expected the Philippines to be attacked first due to its strategic location.
When least expected, very early Sunday morning on December 7, 1941, Japanese pilots and midget submarines started their relentless attack on the US Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor. Thousands of American lives were lost. All American ships were badly damaged if not totally destroyed. USS Arizona sank bringing with it 1170 sailors most of whom were never recovered. It was reported that Japan only lost 29 planes out of 250(?).
What I think of the
movie:
Technology is unbelievable. It’s amazing how they recreated the attack as if you’re actually there. It’ll leave you breathless and running for safety. Michael Bay had captured the intensity of the attack in such degree that was never told or shown before.
Ben Affleck (6’2”) and Josh Hartnett (6’3”) are such great-looking guys (especially Ben), that I can’t help but feel sorry for Kate Beckinsale. The guys outshone her. Josh had the most scenes but Ben had such commanding presence onscreen that the movie gets lost without him. Josh, however, had this ‘lost puppy’ look about him that you can’t help but sympathize with him every step of the way. James King, a model turned actress (yes, she’s a girl),
is delightful as Betty, a nurse. Alec Baldwin is convincing as James Doolittle, who led the ‘Doolittle Raid’ over Tokyo. Jon Voight did a good job as FDR.
It’s a very long movie running for 3 hours and quite predictable at times. But the actors, special effects and cinematography are outstanding that you stayed glued to your seat without noticing time go by. Yes, lots of critics have panned the movie. I, however, enjoyed it tremendously and plan to see it again next chance I get. Thumbs up, way up!
National Geographic had a TV special on the movie and Pearl Harbor. Check out www.nationalgeographic.com.
- edith ramirez 06/16/01
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