"Docudrama" about the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941 and its results, the recovering of the ships, the improving of defense in Hawaii and the US efforts to beat back the Japanese reinforcements.
Cinematography
Toland's shadows predate his iconic Citizen Kane work.
Direction
Ford's ghosts speak louder than any battle scene.
Writing
Uncle Sam arguing with his conscience? Surreal propaganda poetry.
Director
John Ford
Walter Huston
Uncle Sam 'U.S.'
Harry Davenport
Mr. 'C'
Dana Andrews
Ghost of US sailor killed at Pearl Harbor
Paul Hurst
World War I Ghost Soldier
George O'Brien
Single Voice of the Dead Servicemen (voice)
James Kevin McGuinness
Narrator (voice)
Philip Ahn
Shinto Priest (uncredited)
Ralph Byrd
Reporter (uncredited)
Emperor Hirohito of Japan
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
Adolf Hitler
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The Navy seized the original 82-minute cut, called it 'too disturbing,' and locked it away until 1991. What survives is studio-mandated damage control.
This is John Ford processing his own PTSD from photographing the actual attack — the ghosts aren't metaphor, they're his.
US
