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on January 13, 2012
Wow..I've watched this movie on DVD for years and was waiting for the Bluray Version. I was so impressed with quality of the transfer...it is absolutely pristine! This looks like a movie that was just made the past couple years because the video is so clean and clear...It's stunning to think this is a movie from the 70's! Whoever did the bluray transfer should get an award cause it's amazing! I have over 100 Bluray films and this is one of the best in video quality.
on April 23, 2014
This film depicts the December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor by a carrier task force of the Imperial Japanese Navy. This attack catapulted the United States "off the fence" and into WWII against both Germany and Japan. The film tells the story from both the American and Japanese viewpoints, and is as true to historical fact as any Hollywood movie can be that isn't intended to be a pure documentary. I suppose it would be impossible to re-make this film today: I don't think there are enough authentic, and airworthy, WWII aircraft still in existance. I suppose one could use CGI to simulate the airplanes, but the film wouldn't feel the same, I think. For a movie that was made more than 40 years ago, the video and audio quality in this DVD are very good, much better than the DVD of "Midway", which I also purchased from Amazon in this order. By "very good" I don't mean BluRay quality, of course, but at least the audio track is Stereo, not Mono (like Midway), and the color balance and luminance of the video is nice and clean. For the $10 price, this DVD is worth purchasing if you enjoy the genre of WWII movies in general and haven't seen this one in a long time (or ever), and don't already have a copy of it on VHS tape. The Japanese dialog is sub-titled in English, so we aren't left wondering what the Japanese characters are saying.
TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE VOICEon August 30, 2017
This is one of the finest movies of its genre. It joins a number of other such movies in the 1960s and 1970s. So, the quality of this movie is not the issue. I purchased this because I watch it every so often on TV and wanted to have a copy at hand.
Unhappily, I got a clinker. Background noise is distracting and the characters' voices are not their normal voices--they are greatly garbled.
I assume that I had the bad luck to get a bad copy. . . .
I will order it again, figuring that I can't be unlucky twice in a row. . . .
Unhappily, I got a clinker. Background noise is distracting and the characters' voices are not their normal voices--they are greatly garbled.
I assume that I had the bad luck to get a bad copy. . . .
I will order it again, figuring that I can't be unlucky twice in a row. . . .
on March 20, 2012
THIS IS A Fine Blu-Ray Disc but it is NOT 160 minutes. The other Blu-Ray offered on amazon is 2:25 or 145 min. This version offers Theatrical and Extended but the Theatrical is 2:25 and the extended is just shy of 2:29. ALMOST 4 mintues longer.
It is NOT 160 minutes -- It is 148. So what is in the extra 3minutes plus?
I am not sure yet. They might have included the intermission music not sure yet.
As for extras...same as the other Blu-Ray but you're not getting the book pages
AND THIS EDITION LACKS THE EXCELLENT COMMENTARY ON THE OTHER EDITION.
SO Pick one...but Pick wisely.
It is NOT 160 minutes -- It is 148. So what is in the extra 3minutes plus?
I am not sure yet. They might have included the intermission music not sure yet.
As for extras...same as the other Blu-Ray but you're not getting the book pages
AND THIS EDITION LACKS THE EXCELLENT COMMENTARY ON THE OTHER EDITION.
SO Pick one...but Pick wisely.
on December 5, 2016
I agree with the consensus of most reviewers (not necessarily on Amazon, but everywhere, starting from the time of the film's release). This is a faithful, almost-to-the-last-second reenactment of the events leading up to, and then the attack on Pearl Harbor. Problem is that the director made no attempt to add any sense of impending doom to the scenes leading up to the attack (which make up most of the movie), so what we get is scene after scene of guys handing Very Important Pieces of Paper to each other, shot in the leaden directorial style of television movies of the era.
However, there's still a lot to enjoy about this movie as long as you can get through that. The actors do a great job. Martin Balsam is wonderful as Admiral Kimmel, eventually doomed to be blamed and stripped of his command for the laziness and ineptitude of those higher on the chain than him. E.G. Marshall as Col. Batton manages to add some lively suspense to some of the "men shuffling papers around" scenes. And Sô Yamamura (billed here as Soh Yamamura) does a great job portraying Admiral Yamamoto, who understood, the ultimate consequences of Japan's action even as he was instrumental in planning it.
Also, the aforementioned attention to detail is simply incredible, and the events and loss of life are handled tastefully -- perhaps a bit too sanitized and stilted, but I'll take that over the ridiculously over-the-top action-fantasy of Michael Bay's 2001 "Peal Harbor", which shows us events that just. didn't. happen. Not tasteful, not cool. So for all its faults, "Tora! Tora! Tora!" remains the best film about this event, especially for those who truly like to see history as it unfolded.
Heh. I guess I really did have something to add!
However, there's still a lot to enjoy about this movie as long as you can get through that. The actors do a great job. Martin Balsam is wonderful as Admiral Kimmel, eventually doomed to be blamed and stripped of his command for the laziness and ineptitude of those higher on the chain than him. E.G. Marshall as Col. Batton manages to add some lively suspense to some of the "men shuffling papers around" scenes. And Sô Yamamura (billed here as Soh Yamamura) does a great job portraying Admiral Yamamoto, who understood, the ultimate consequences of Japan's action even as he was instrumental in planning it.
Also, the aforementioned attention to detail is simply incredible, and the events and loss of life are handled tastefully -- perhaps a bit too sanitized and stilted, but I'll take that over the ridiculously over-the-top action-fantasy of Michael Bay's 2001 "Peal Harbor", which shows us events that just. didn't. happen. Not tasteful, not cool. So for all its faults, "Tora! Tora! Tora!" remains the best film about this event, especially for those who truly like to see history as it unfolded.
Heh. I guess I really did have something to add!
Want what led to and happened at Pearl Harbor? Watch this film. Want a love triangle and special effects? Watch "Pearl Harbor."
on April 30, 2015
As a movie, it isn't very good -- too much exposition, not enough drama. For special effects, it's somewhat outdated -- 1970 models as opposed to 2011 CGI imagery.
But for telling the story -- from both the Japanese and American sides -- of how Pearl Harbor happened and what happened that day, this film is hard to surpass. Instead of an insipid love triangle, it offers ranking officers wrestling with difficult decisions. Instead of an air battle lifted from "Star Wars," it offers a fairly realistic depiction of air warfare. Instead of stock fictional characters from wartime World War II movies, it offers the real people who fought the battle.
If I'm going to watch a movie about Pearl Harbor, this is the film I'm going to watch. This tells me what happened. Michael Bay did not.
But for telling the story -- from both the Japanese and American sides -- of how Pearl Harbor happened and what happened that day, this film is hard to surpass. Instead of an insipid love triangle, it offers ranking officers wrestling with difficult decisions. Instead of an air battle lifted from "Star Wars," it offers a fairly realistic depiction of air warfare. Instead of stock fictional characters from wartime World War II movies, it offers the real people who fought the battle.
If I'm going to watch a movie about Pearl Harbor, this is the film I'm going to watch. This tells me what happened. Michael Bay did not.
on December 7, 2016
One of the last Big-Budget Blockbusters with the integrity to present both sides of the Pearl Harbor attack in the native languages. Watch it today on the 75th anniversary of the day that will live in infamy.
When you see the formation of Army B-17 bombers flying in to Pearl, those are actual air-worthy planes flying, not CG models. This movie would not be possible today except with heavy CG special effects and everyone speaking English.
When you see the formation of Army B-17 bombers flying in to Pearl, those are actual air-worthy planes flying, not CG models. This movie would not be possible today except with heavy CG special effects and everyone speaking English.
on August 2, 2014
I was very proud to include this version of TORA! TORA! TORA! on Bluray to my library of movies! I think the first time I saw this was on TV in the mid to late 1970s. I have to say that if you are going to get this on Bluray, you may as well get the Digital Book version. It includes pics of the movie and some of the men that were in charge during the attack on both sides. There are mini bios of some of the actors and real men that were involved and is worth reading. The Bluray itself is well done, looks and sounds great. For a 1970 pre CGI movie, this one is certainly a classic for all ages. I really like the layout of the menu as well. I have to give credit to Fox for having some of the best menus there is on Bluray. For me, the worst menus are MGM, if there are any. All you have is a "pop up menu" by pushing your remote key and it's basic at that.
You have the option for viewing the American Version or the Extended Japanese Version (which has a few added scenes with characters).
We all know the story. A surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on Dec. 7, 1941 that sent us to WWII with Japan.
Japan would eventually realize, that indeed, they did awaken a "Sleeping Giant" and fill him with angry resolve. They would go on to lose at the Battle of Midway and ultimately surrender after not only one, but two Automic bombs being dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945. The "Enola Gay" and the "Bocks Car" Bombers would effectively end hostilities with Japan.
Special Features are:
Theatrical Trailer
Commentary by Director Richard Fleischer and Japanese Film Historian Stuart Galbraith IV (Theatrical Version only)
Documentary:Day of Infamy
History VS. Hollywood: Tora! Tora! Tora! A Giant Awakes
AMC Backstory: Tora! Tora! Tora!
Behind the Scenes Gallery
Production Gallery
Fox Movietone News...Several are here. Word of warning for the audio on the first one, there is lots of snapping noises. I can't believe they put this one on here without cleaning it up to at least get rid of the noise. The others seem to be fine.
5 Stars! Highly recommended to all!!
You have the option for viewing the American Version or the Extended Japanese Version (which has a few added scenes with characters).
We all know the story. A surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on Dec. 7, 1941 that sent us to WWII with Japan.
Japan would eventually realize, that indeed, they did awaken a "Sleeping Giant" and fill him with angry resolve. They would go on to lose at the Battle of Midway and ultimately surrender after not only one, but two Automic bombs being dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945. The "Enola Gay" and the "Bocks Car" Bombers would effectively end hostilities with Japan.
Special Features are:
Theatrical Trailer
Commentary by Director Richard Fleischer and Japanese Film Historian Stuart Galbraith IV (Theatrical Version only)
Documentary:Day of Infamy
History VS. Hollywood: Tora! Tora! Tora! A Giant Awakes
AMC Backstory: Tora! Tora! Tora!
Behind the Scenes Gallery
Production Gallery
Fox Movietone News...Several are here. Word of warning for the audio on the first one, there is lots of snapping noises. I can't believe they put this one on here without cleaning it up to at least get rid of the noise. The others seem to be fine.
5 Stars! Highly recommended to all!!
on July 21, 2017
Serious retelling of the Pearl Harbor Attack. A few historical inaccuracies (for example US ships are shown in light gray paint, they were in reality already painted in darker colors as war was expected.). Also shows the Japanese planning and their reasoning behind the raid, without attempting to justify it, as this film was made in the days before political correctness took precedence over reality in Hollywood.
