Tora! Tora! Tora! (DVD)

'Tora! Tora! Tora!' was released back in 1970, and has recently been re-released on DVD to coincide with the release of the acclaimed 'Pearl Harbor'. Both films dramatise the events of 7th December 1941, when the Japanese attacked the American Pacific Fleet stationed at Pearl Harbor. As the opinion title suggests, I consider this original film to be superior to the big-budget Hollywood re-make.

Since both films essentially cover the ...
...two, which essentially boils down to their attitude and style. 'Tora!' was made using two seperate production units, one in Japan, one in America. In doing so it was the first film ever to use Japanese historical documents about World War II, and it shows. It shows the events from both the American and Japanese perspectives, in particular the diplomatic events and how each side guessed, bluffed and deceived the other. This is almost entirely lost ... more

'Tora! Tora! Tora!' was released back in 1970, and has recently been re-released on DVD to coincide with the release of the acclaimed 'Pearl Harbor'. Both films dramatise the events of 7th December 1941, when the Japanese attacked the American Pacific Fleet stationed at Pearl Harbor. As the opinion title suggests, I consider this original film to be superior to the big-budget Hollywood re-make.

Since both films essentially cover the same subject I will concentrate on the differences between the two, which essentially boils down to their attitude and style. 'Tora!' was made using two seperate production units, one in Japan, one in America. In doing so it was the first film ever to use Japanese historical documents about World War II, and it shows. It shows the events from both the American and Japanese perspectives, in particular the diplomatic events and how each side guessed, bluffed and deceived the other. This is almost entirely lost in the 'Pearl Harbor' re-make, which makes no mention whatsoever of the Japanese declaration of war, and virtually ignores the diplomatic scene altogether.

Where 'Pearl' concentrates on two hot-shot pilots and thier ridiculous love affair, 'Tora!' concentrates on the Japanese Naval Command. It highlights the split in the Navy over the attack, and the Naval / Army rivalry. Not exactly heart-stopping action that drags the younger audience to the cinema, but thoroughly entralling and intrigueing to those who actually have interest in the historical events.

Perhaps the greatest hype around 'Pearl' has been over its special effects. However, 'Tora!' - made long before the invention of Computer Generated Images - uses models and pyrotechnics to astounding effect. It would be a lie to say they are actually ~better~ than 'Pearl', but they are quite stunning, and amazing considering the time it was made.

As I have said, I consider 'Tora!' to be the superior film, and I could continue for hours explaining why. However, to summarise (and having just watched the films back-to-back last night) 'Pearl' is a romantic-action film based around the events at Pearl Harbor. 'Tora!' is a gripping historical dramatisation of the conflict - both political and military - that led to America joining World War II. If you want a feel-good action movie (especially if you're American) watch 'Pearl'. If you prefer something intelligent, intrigueing and unbiased, go for 'Tora!'. 

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