Tora! Tora! Tora!
Tora! Tora! Tora!

Tora! Tora! Tora!

1970Movie144 minEnglish

In the summer of 1941, the United States and Japan seem on the brink of war after constant embargos and failed diplomacy come to no end. "Tora! Tora! Tora!", named after the code words used by the lead Japanese pilot to indicate they had surprised the Americans, covers the days leading up to the attack on Pearl Harbor, which plunged America into the Second World War.

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Insights

IMDb7.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes71%
Metacritic67/100
Google Users86%
Director: Richard Fleischer, Richard Fleischer, Kinji Fukasaku, Toshio MasudaGenres: Drama, War, History

Plot Summary

This epic war film meticulously recreates the events leading up to and including the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. The narrative unfolds from both American and Japanese perspectives, detailing the political tensions, military preparations, and strategic decisions made by each side. It culminates in the devastating surprise assault, showcasing the chaos and tragedy of that fateful day.

Critical Reception

Upon its release, 'Tora! Tora! Tora!' was widely praised for its historical accuracy, impressive scale, and detailed depiction of the Pearl Harbor attack. Critics lauded the film's dual-perspective approach, which offered a balanced view of the events. While some noted its episodic nature, the overall consensus highlighted its effectiveness as a historical document and a powerful cinematic experience.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its historical accuracy and detailed recreation of events.
  • Commended for its dual perspective, showing both American and Japanese viewpoints.
  • Recognized for its epic scope and technical achievements in portraying the attack.

Google audience: Audiences generally appreciated the film's commitment to historical detail and its balanced portrayal of the events leading up to Pearl Harbor. Many found the dual narratives engaging and the depiction of the attack to be impactful. Some viewers noted that while informative, the film can feel somewhat dry due to its focus on strategy and facts.

Awards & Accolades

Won the Academy Award for Best Special Visual Effects. Nominated for Best Art Direction and Best Sound.

Fun Fact

The film used over 150 aircraft, many of them retired World War II-era planes, to recreate the aerial combat sequences, with many of the flying sequences filmed at the USS Arizona Memorial site.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

3 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

This is told a little in the style of “The Longest Day” (1962) as it shows us both sides of the preparations for the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. With the US having moved it’s Pacific fleet from the safety of San Diego to an altogether m...
Per Gunnar Jonsson

Per Gunnar Jonss...

I remember viewing this film as a kid shortly after it came out in Sweden. At that time I was not impressed. I was expecting an action filled war movie and what I got was a boring movie where the good guys got beaten up at the end. I do not...
lwpcolonel

lwpcolonel

First off, this is a very good historical fictionalization of an epic event. Many parts are very accurate whereas others are more or less. This is after all a Hollywood movie, NOT a documentary such as "The World At War", so we can't be too...