utgard14
Docudrama about Admiral William F. Halsey; specifically his experiences during World War II. It's directed and narrated by Robert Montgomery. James Cagney stars and does an excellent job with a quieter, more subtle type of performance than the ones he was known for. Negatives include a slow pace, lack of action, no subtitles when needed, an overuse of devices like narration and background chorus, and Dennis Weaver going full hick accent with his country boy role. Positives include the aforementioned Cagney turn and a sincerity that I can't help but respect. You can tell they (Montgomery, Cagney, et al.) really wanted to make a great film about a man they admired. It's not a movie that I will ever watch again, but I can certainly see the appeal for many others.
Richie-67-485852
The price for freedom are the lives of men and this movie makes that point and more. Told in a way where facts are submitted mingled with human nature, drama and pain we are invited to a very significant moment in our history and we do well to not forget it. I always admire true stories about men against what is thrown at them and how without rehearsal the circumstances engage and the outcomes are left to the results which no one knows until it is over. To go into something unknown and commit oneself 100 % and furthermore to give all you have while doing it should humble us all as there is no greater sacrifice or form of giving than that. War is hell literally and figuratively and exists because men fail for one reason or another or try to rise above their given stature or interfere with circumstances in a willful way. Cagney is a joy to watch. He has aged, is mature and his acting is without effort lending realism to it all. Fine outstanding supporting cast is worthy of a mention too. In the beginning parts of the movie where they begin the flashback to tell the story, I was thrown off a little by this music score they use consisting of a heavenly type chorus while there are scenes being acted out during the movie. I kept expecting some biblical character to appear. After a few of these, I understood what the director was trying to do i.e. pay homage to the lives given while telling the story. We won the war based on the sheer courage of men and their oaths taken at the costs of their lives. This movie reminds you of that. Let me remind you that next time you go to get a burger and fries, walk in the park, attend a sports event etc. know that people who fought well set us up to do this at a high cost. I like to snack while watching movies. There is a scene in this one involving a chocolate cake so go from there. It was a big piece too. Add a tasty drink and you're off! Enjoy Attenthut! Good movie on deck
BasicLogic
I don't care if this movie is great or not like lot of those deep deep viewers' reviews like they could see something meaningful out of meaningless nothing! Those viewers' said it's a historical lesson, a war film without any battle scene. Well, you think i care? The only thing I noticed from the very beginning is the stupid, annoying, funeral-held-in-church male chorus, wooooooo~~~wooooo~~~~~wooooo....trying so hard to make this movie so sublime, so heavenly, so purified, so reverse osmosis clean, so American Navy self-glorify, so self-indulgent and so self-intoxicated by themselves. What we saw from the very beginning is a bunch of navy soldiers standing like mummies on a battleship's decks, wearing white uniforms, stood like cardboard cut-out figures, then in that exact moment when such dumb image shown, the male chorus started, woooooo~~woooooo~woooooo....like all these navy grunts attending a sea-burial funeral ceremony. Then the old farts showed up one by one, with no-big-deal dialog floated around in the cabin, then, the drive-you-nuts chorus kept singing in the background, woooooowooooowooooo.....How it possible you could force me to watch along, dude? I've viewed all the old reviews and there was just one viewer screamed his head off wanting to shut off that woooooooowoooooooowoooooo background soundtrack. My God(if there's really a gender-less being here), you expect me to pretend myself as the deafest person on the planet? Besides, this movie really sucks big time! What we saw was just a bunch of American navy guys and Japanese navy guys in pure white uniforms and ranks blah blah this, or blah blah that, supporting by the unique yet utmost stupid and meaningless male chorus.I would also suggest those viewers who gave this god-awful film such a high rating. I know you guys are very deep and I am shallow, but one thing I have to point out, my hearing seems much much better than you guys.
RengaOtoko
I just love this movie. I am a huge fan of Adm. Halsey. Am also a Navy vet. I wish they would put it out on DVD. Since it is out of print it is very hard to find a copy, there are some used ones thru Amazon.com, but am a little leery of buying one thru this method. Cagney does a terrific job as Halsey, the resemblance is uncanny. I think John Wayne's portrayal of Adm. Torrey in "In Harms Way" is somewhat based on Adm. Halsey, at least that is how it makes me feel. Any fan of WWII movies, particularly Pacific naval ones, would love this movie. I noticed one of the posters stated he had served with Halsey, I truly envy you! Guess it would've been hard since I wasn't born yet!
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