Customer Reviews

Mission of the Shark [VHS]

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This movie is a very good adaptation of the events surrounding the sinking of the USS Indianapolis. I was impressed with the attention to detail that the producers paid in the movie. For example, it is known that the ship's doctor burned his hands to the point of uselessness while trying to open a door, and sure enough, this scene was excellently covered in the movie. Stacy Keach stars as Captain Charles McVay, and he does an excellent job throughout the film. Richard Thomas portrays the ship's doctor. The scenes of the sinking and the subsequent struggle to survive on the sea is vividly portrayed. I was also impressed with the attention payed to the rescue and Captain McVay's court martial. In fact, this movie does a better job of covering the court martial phase than many of the books I've read on this subject. I would highly recommend this film to anyone who knows or has read about the story of the USS Indianapolis.

I haven't seen this movie since it was first released in the early '90's but I still remember the strong reaction I had to what the survivor's of the USS Indianapolis endured after their ship was sunk in the last part of WWII. I don't want to get into the details so that I don't ruin it for anyone who hasn't seen the movie. However, I will say that even after all these years I still remember the excellent acting of the cast, of whom the most memorable for me were Stacy Keach, Richard Thomas, and David Caruso.

UPDATE 8/2/07

I received my dvd yesterday and can now tell you about the quality of the transfer. The picture quality is not bad, it is not HD quality but I didn't notice any problems like graininess, or scratches, or anything like that. It is not any better or worse than a typical cable broadcast program. The sound is also about average, so don't expect to get blown out of your seat.

The story is a very powerful one that once you see it you won't be likely to forget it.

This film is quite upsetting, perhaps because the real event on which it is based was probably worse. It is not as if the makers didn't do their best to tell this true horror story. I believe they did, or if the didn't, I don't wish to see a more upsetting version. Don't expect to sleep well after you see this.

I have seen many programs on the U.S.S. Indianapolis, and read many books on it as well. Mission of the Shark was a good movie, but some details where missing. When the ship was struck it capsized and in the movie it shows ths ship going down stern first and it looked like a destroyer rather than the Indianapolis. Good movie, good acting. Good for anyone who has read or studied the Indianapolis.

I bought the DVD last spring before my grandfather died. He served in the US Navy in WWII. I thought the sinking and subsequent trial were very tragic. I know many Navy sailors did not survive WWII to see their grandsons. May they rest in peace. I know I was lucky to get to know my grandfather who survived WWII. He often shared his experiences with the US Navy in the South Pacific. His older brother served at Iwo Jima as a US Marine in 1945. The movie brings the USS Indianapolis and its historical characters to life. I miss my grandfather, but I know he was fortunate to live a long life. Many soldiers on the Indianapolis suffered a tragic ending from the blast, wounds, exposure, and shark attacks.

Good story about the not-so-talked about military return trip of the USS Indianapolis. This was a secret mission so maybe that is why. But it is also the worst military desaster of WW II.

Watch this then see the special on Discovery Channel with interviews from actual survivors.

I have read the book "In Harms Way" by Doug Stanton and wanted to see the movie. I had looked at some other movies and documentaries about the sinking of the USS Indianapolis and just found them to graphic. The book tells the sad story very well but the movie gives a glimpse of the event with many important details which led up to the event being left out. It would not be a bad movie if I hadn't read the book and for someone who does not read it would be good to see the history.

I teach the non-fiction novel LEFT FOR DEAD to ninth graders, and this film is a gem! It is a re-enactment of the sinking of the USS Indianapolis. The movie focuses on the ship's captain, McVay. I use this film to give my students a visual perspective for when they read the non-fiction book. They enjoy the film.

The movie is good depiction of the tragedy of the Indianapolis.

The movie can not give the details found in the book, but you
get a feeling for the horror the men lived through.

If you are a WWII buff you will enjoy this.

Mission of the shark is a noble effort but falls short in depicting the real horror experienced by the doomed crew of the Indianapolis. On the plus side, it had a fine cast and decent acting. The main focus of the movie seemed to be not the disaster itself, but the ensuing courtroom drama and the legal ramifications.
the budget was obviously limited and the shark fins look like they are made out of cardboard!
Here's hoping that the major motion picture of this event- scheduled for release some time in 2009- will really capture the horror and drama of the sinking of the Indianapolis.