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"Pearl Harbor" is a two-hour movie squeezed into three hours, about how on Dec. 7, 1941, the Japanese staged a surprise attack on an American love triangle. Its centerpiece is 40 minutes of redundant special effects, surrounded by a love story of stunning banality. The film has been directed without grace, vision, or originality, and although you may walk out quoting lines of dialog, it will not be because you admire them.

The filmmakers seem to have aimed the film at an audience that may not have heard of Pearl Harbor, or perhaps even of World War Two. This is the Our Weekly Reader version. If you have the slightest knowledge of the events in the film, you will know more than it can tell you. There is no sense of history, strategy or context; according to this movie, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor because America cut off its oil supply, and they were down to an 18 month reserve. Would going to war restore the fuel sources? Did they perhaps also have imperialist designs? Movie doesn't say.

So shaky is the film's history that at the end, when Jimmy Doolittle's Tokyo raiders crash-land in China, they're shot at by Japanese patrols with only a murky throwaway explanation about the Sino-Japanese war already underway. I predict some viewers will leave the theater sincerely confused about why there were Japanese in China.

As for the movie's portrait of the Japanese themselves, it is so oblique that Japanese audiences will find little to complain about apart from the fact that they play such a small role in their own raid. There are several scenes where the Japanese high command debates military tactics, but all of their dialog is strictly expository; they state facts but do not emerge with personalities or passions. Only Admiral Yamamoto (Mako) is seen as an individual, and his dialog seems to have been singled out with the hindsight of history. Congratulated on a brilliant raid, he demurs, "A brilliant man would find a way not to fight a war." And later, "I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant." Do you imagine at any point the Japanese high command engaged in the 1941 Japanese equivalent of exchanging high-fives and shouting "Yes!" while pumping their fists in the air? Not in this movie, where the Japanese seem to have been melancholy even at the time about the regrettable need to play such a negative role in such a positive Hollywood film.

The American side of the story centers on two childhood friends from Tennessee with the standard-issue screenplay names Rafe McCawley ( Ben Affleck ) and Danny Walker ( Josh Hartnett ). They enter the Army Air Corps and both fall in love with the same nurse, Evelyn Johnson ( Kate Beckinsale )--first Rafe falls for her, and then, after he is reported dead, Danny. Their first date is subtitled "Three Months Later" and ends with Danny, having apparently read the subtitle, telling Evelyn, "Don't let it be three months before I see you again, okay?" That gets almost as big a laugh as her line to Rafe, "I'm gonna give Danny my whole heart, but I don't think I'll ever look at another sunset without thinking of you." That kind of bad laugh would have been sidestepped in a more literate screenplay, but our hopes are not high after an early newsreel report that the Germans are bombing "downtown London"--a difficult target, since although there is such a place as "central London," at no time in 2,000 years has London ever had anything described by anybody as a "downtown." There is not a shred of conviction or chemistry in the love triangle, which results after Rafe returns alive to Hawaii shortly before the raid on Pearl Harbor and is angry at Evelyn for falling in love with Danny, inspiring her timeless line, "I didn't even know until the day you turned up alive--and then all this happened." Evelyn is a hero in the aftermath of the raid, performing triage by using her lipstick to separate the wounded who should be treated from those left to die. In a pointless stylistic choice, director Michael Bay and cinematographer John Schwartzman shoot some of the hospital scenes in soft focus, some in sharp focus, some blurred. Why? I understand it's to obscure details deemed too gory for the PG-13 rating. (Why should the carnage at Pearl Harbor be toned down to PG-13 in the first place?) In the newsreel sequences, the movie fades in and out of black and white with almost amusing haste, while the newsreel announcer sounds not like a period voice but like a Top-40 deejay in an echo chamber.

The most involving material in the film comes at the end, when Jimmy Doolittle ( Alec Baldwin ) leads his famous raid on Tokyo, flying Army bombers off the decks of Navy carriers and hoping to crash-land in China.

He and his men were heroes, and their story would make a good movie (and indeed has: "Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo"). Another hero in the movie is the African-American cook Dorie Miller (Cuba Gooding Jr.), who because of his race was not allowed to touch a gun in the racist pre-war Navy, but opens fire during the raid, shoots down two planes, and saves the life of his captain. He's shown getting a medal. Nice to see an African-American in the movie, but the almost total absence of Asians in 1941 Hawaii is inexplicable.

As for the raid itself, a little goes a long way. What is the point, really, of more than half an hour of planes bombing ships, of explosions and fireballs, of roars on the soundtrack and bodies flying through the air and people running away from fighters that are strafing them? How can it be entertaining or moving when it's simply about the most appalling slaughter? Why do the filmmakers think we want to see this, unrelieved by intelligence, viewpoint or insight? It was a terrible, terrible day. Three thousand died in all. This is not a movie about them.

It is an unremarkable action movie; Pearl Harbor supplies the subject, but not the inspiration.

Roger Ebert

Roger Ebert was the film critic of the Chicago Sun-Times from 1967 until his death in 2013. In 1975, he won the Pulitzer Prize for distinguished criticism.

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Film credits.

Pearl Harbor (2001)

Rated PG-13 For Sustained Intense War Sequences, Images Of Wounded, Brief Sensuality and Some Language

183 minutes

Josh Hartnett as Danny Walker

Ben Affleck as Rafe McCawley

Alec Baldwin as Doolittle

Kate Beckinsale as Evelyn

Cuba Gooding Jr. as Dorie Miller

Jon Voigt as President Roosevelt

• Randall Wallace

Directed by

• Michael Bay

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38 Facts About The Movie Pearl Harbor

Written by Isa Bill

Modified & Updated: 02 Jun 2024

Reviewed by Sherman Smith

Pearl Harbor is a movie that captivated audiences worldwide with its gripping portrayal of the infamous attack on the US naval base in Hawaii during World War II. Directed by Michael Bay and released in 2001, the film offers a mix of romance, action, and historical drama. Starring Ben Affleck, Josh Hartnett, and Kate Beckinsale, Pearl Harbor follows the lives of two friends and their involvement in the events leading up to the devastating attack.

With its visually stunning cinematography, intense battle sequences, and heartfelt performances , Pearl Harbor leaves a lasting impression on viewers. In this article, we delve deeper into the movie, uncovering 38 fascinating facts that shed light on its production, historical accuracy, and the impact it had on both the film industry and the real-life survivors of the Pearl Harbor attack .

Key Takeaways:

• “Pearl Harbor” is a 2001 movie that vividly portrays the devastating attack on Pearl Harbor, showcasing the bravery and sacrifice of the American military during World War II.
• The film’s love triangle adds an emotional element to the historical events, sparking renewed interest in World War II and inspiring viewers to learn more about this significant period in history.

The movie Pearl Harbor was released in 2001

Pearl Harbor, directed by Michael Bay , was released in 2001, making it one of the most highly anticipated movies of that year.

It stars Ben Affleck, Josh Hartnett, and Kate Beckinsale

Ben Affleck, Josh Hartnett, and Kate Beckinsale play the lead roles in this epic war drama that follows the lives of two childhood friends and a nurse during the attack on Pearl Harbor.

It has a runtime of 3 hours and 3 minutes

The movie is known for its lengthy runtime, allowing the audience to fully immerse themselves in the story and the events surrounding Pearl Harbor.

Pearl Harbor was a commercial success

The film was a box office hit, grossing over $450 million worldwide, making it one of the highest-grossing films of 2001.

The attack scenes were meticulously recreated

The filmmakers spared no expense in recreating the infamous attack on Pearl Harbor, using a combination of practical effects and CGI to capture the intensity and devastation of the event.

Historical accuracy was a top priority

The filmmakers worked closely with historians and Pearl Harbor survivors to ensure that the movie portrayed the events as accurately as possible.

The love triangle adds a dramatic element

While the attack on Pearl Harbor forms the backdrop of the movie, the love triangle between the main characters adds a poignant and emotional element to the story.

It is known for its stunning visual effects

The movie’s visual effects were groundbreaking at the time, bringing the epic battle scenes and the destruction of Pearl Harbor to life.

The soundtrack was composed by Hans Zimmer

Hans Zimmer, one of the most renowned film composers, created the score for Pearl Harbor, adding another layer of emotion and intensity to the film.

The movie received mixed reviews from critics

While Pearl Harbor was a commercial success, it received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising its spectacle and emotional impact, while others criticized its overly sentimental moments.

It was nominated for four Academy Awards

Pearl Harbor received nominations for Best Sound, Best Sound Editing, Best Visual Effects, and Best Original Song at the 74th Academy Awards.

Pearl Harbor sparked renewed interest in World War II

The release of the film reignited public interest in the history and events of World War II, leading to increased discussion and study of the time period.

The movie features real-life historical figures

Pearl Harbor includes portrayals of real-life historical figures such as Admiral Chester W. Nimitz and President Franklin D. Roosevelt .

The production faced challenges with weather

The filmmakers encountered difficulties during the filming process due to unpredictable weather conditions, but they managed to overcome these obstacles and complete the project.

Pearl Harbor inspired a video game

The success of the film led to the development of a video game adaptation, allowing fans to immerse themselves even further in the world of Pearl Harbor.

It showcased the bravery and sacrifice of the American military

Pearl Harbor pays tribute to the courageous men and women who served during World War II and highlights the sacrifices they made for their country.

The movie had a massive budget

With a budget of $140 million, Pearl Harbor was one of the most expensive movies ever made at the time of its release.

The attack on Pearl Harbor was a turning point in World War II

The surprise attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, propelled the United States into World War II and changed the course of history.

It portrays the devastation caused by the attack

Pearl Harbor vividly depicts the destruction and loss of life that occurred during the attack, serving as a reminder of the human cost of war.

The movie explores themes of love and loyalty

Amidst the chaos of war , Pearl Harbor delves into the themes of love, loyalty, and the power of human connection.

The production employed a massive crew

With its large-scale battle scenes and complex visual effects, Pearl Harbor required a massive crew to bring the vision to life.

It took over a year to film

The filming of Pearl Harbor took over a year to complete, with meticulous attention to detail in recreating the historical events.

The movie was dedicated to the memory of those who lost their lives at Pearl Harbor

Pearl Harbor serves as a tribute to the men and women who lost their lives during the attack, honoring their memory and sacrifice.

It was released on the 60th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor

December 7, 2001, marked the 60th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, making it a significant date for the release of the film.

Pearl Harbor sparked debate about Hollywood’s portrayal of historical events

The release of Pearl Harbor sparked discussions about the responsibility of filmmakers in depicting historical events and the balance between entertainment and historical accuracy.

It showcases the camaraderie and resilience of the American military

Pearl Harbor highlights the bond and resilience of the American military in the face of adversity, emphasizing their determination and bravery.

The movie was a collaboration between American and Japanese filmmakers

The production of Pearl Harbor involved collaboration between American and Japanese filmmakers to ensure a balanced portrayal of both sides of the conflict.

It features stunning cinematography

Pearl Harbor is renowned for its visually stunning cinematography, capturing the beauty and devastation of the Hawaiian landscape and the aftermath of the attack.

The film is known for its emotional impact

The love story at the center of Pearl Harbor, combined with the tragic events of the attack, elicits a strong emotional response from audiences.

Pearl Harbor inspired many to learn more about the history of World War II

The film sparked an interest in World War II and motivated countless individuals to delve deeper into the history and events surrounding the conflict.

It is considered a classic war film

Pearl Harbor has become a classic war film, remembered for its epic scale, emotional storytelling, and powerful performances.

The movie was released in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the attack

Pearl Harbor was released as a tribute to the 60th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, ensuring that the memory of the event would not be forgotten.

It includes personal stories of characters affected by the attack

Pearl Harbor humanizes the historical event by focusing on the personal stories and experiences of characters directly impacted by the attack.

The film showcases the bravery of the pilots during the attack

Pearl Harbor pays tribute to the courageous pilots who took to the skies during the attack, showcasing their bravery and skill.

It explores the aftermath of the attack

Pearl Harbor delves into the aftermath of the attack, highlighting the efforts to rebuild and recover in the wake of the devastating event.

The movie captures the chaos and confusion during the attack

Pearl Harbor effectively captures the chaos, confusion, and sheer terror experienced by those present during the attack on Pearl Harbor.

It features intense and gripping battle sequences

Pearl Harbor delivers intense and gripping battle sequences that put viewers in the midst of the action, creating a heightened sense of realism.

The film serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made during wartime

Ultimately, Pearl Harbor serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by individuals during wartime and honors their courage and dedication.

In conclusion, “Pearl Harbor” is a historically significant movie that depicts the events surrounding the infamous attack on Pearl Harbor during World War II. Directed by Michael Bay , this epic war drama not only showcases the devastating attack itself but also explores the personal stories of the characters involved. With its stunning visuals, emotional performances, and compelling storytelling, “Pearl Harbor” stands as a powerful tribute to the courage and resilience of those who lived through this tragic event. Whether you are a history enthusiast or simply a fan of action-packed dramas, “Pearl Harbor” is definitely a movie worth watching.

1. Is “Pearl Harbor” a historically accurate movie?

While the movie is based on real events, it does take some creative liberties for dramatic effect. Certain aspects of the story and characters have been fictionalized to enhance the cinematic experience.

2. Who stars in “Pearl Harbor”?

The movie features an ensemble cast including Ben Affleck, Josh Hartnett, and Kate Beckinsale in the lead roles. Other notable actors like Cuba Gooding Jr . and Jon Voight also make appearances.

3. How long is the movie?

The runtime of “Pearl Harbor” is approximately 3 hours and 3 minutes, making it a longer film. However, the gripping storyline and captivating visuals keep viewers engaged throughout.

4. Does the movie accurately depict the attack on Pearl Harbor?

The movie recreates the attack scene with great detail and special effects. While some critics argue that certain aspects may not be entirely accurate, the overall portrayal of the attack is considered to be realistic and impactful.

5. Is “Pearl Harbor” suitable for all audiences?

The movie contains intense war scenes and some violent imagery, which may not be suitable for young children. It is recommended for mature audiences due to its wartime themes and emotional content.

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Pearl Harbor

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• "The film has no soul (...) An epic about this day of infamy should shake you to the core. But the real infamy about Pearl Harbor is that when you exit, you don’t feel a thing."  Peter Travers : Rolling Stone
• "Just compare their superficiality to the complex characters in 'From Here to Eternity' and what’s missing here becomes terribly clear."  Todd McCarthy : Variety
• "The film’s immense cast and crew (...) blend artistry and technology to create a blockbuster entertainment that has passion, valor and tremendous action."  Kevin Thomas : Los Angeles Times
• "Until a disappointing tailspin in the last hour (of three), 'Pearl Harbor' is the best piece of popular entertainment to come along in years"  Stephen Hunter : The Washington Post
• "Its centerpiece is 40 minutes of redundant special effects, surrounded by a love story of stunning banality. The film has been directed without grace, vision, or originality (…) Rating: ★½ (out of 4)"  Roger Ebert : rogerebert.com
• "[It] mostly tests one's patience with unseaworthy dialogue and performers drowning in oily cliches"  David Hunter : The Hollywood Reporter
• "You emerge from 'Pearl Harbor' numbed and dazzled, but not especially moved or enlightened. It is not a terrible movie, but rather a defiantly, extravagantly average one"  A. O. Scott : The New York Times
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Pearl Harbor

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Rent Pearl Harbor on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, or buy it on Fandango at Home, Prime Video.

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Pearl Harbor tries to be the Titanic of war movies, but it's just a tedious romance filled with laughably bad dialogue. The 40 minute action sequence is spectacular though.

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Michael Bay

Ben Affleck

Rafe McCawley

Josh Hartnett

Danny Walker

Kate Beckinsale

Evelyn Stewart

Cuba Gooding Jr.

Doris "Dorie" Miller

Tom Sizemore

Sgt. Earl Sistern

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Home > Films > P > Pearl Harbor

Tuesday June 4th 2024

Pearl Harbor | 2001

• Locations |
• Los Angeles , California ;
• Gloucestershire
• Michael Bay
• Ben Affleck,
• Josh Hartnett,
• Kate Beckinsale,
• Jennifer Garner,
• Cuba Gooding Jr,
• Jon Voight,
• Ewen Bremner,
• Alec Baldwin,
• Tom Sizemore,
• Dan Aykroyd,
• William Fichtner,
• Brian Haley,
• Nicholas Farrell,
• Michael Shannon,
• Peter Firth,
• Tony Curran,
• Matthew Davis,
• Leland Orser,
• William Lee Scott,
• Jesse James,
• John Diehl,
• Tomas Arana,
• Andrew Bryniarski,
• Scott Wilson

Michael Bay ’s slam-bang epic is photographed, largely around Los Angeles and Hawaii , in eye-popping colours that will leave bruises on your retina. Hardly a failure, but with a launch party alone that cost $3 million, it wasn’t the titanic hit intended.

Pearl Harbor, Honolulu , on the Hawaiian island of Oahu , is now a historical site. US Arizona , sunk in the raid, still lies at the bottom of the harbour and has been turned into a permanent memorial, open most days of the year, with free admission. It’s about 45 minutes west of Waikiki on the Kamehameha Highway, Highway 99. The end of the movie features underwater shots of the real US Arizona – now part of the World War II Valor In The Pacific National Monument .

Most of the film was shot around California , including the ‘Tennessee’ fields of the opening, which are at Somis , between Thousand Oaks and Ventura, northwest of Los Angeles .

The movie kicks off on the East Coast, supposedly in ‘New York’. ‘Mitchell Field’, where Jimmy Doolittle ( Alec Baldwin ) indulges the laddish antics of Rafe and Danny ( Ben Affleck and Josh Hartnett ), is Van Nuys Airport in the San Fernando Valley (just where are those mountains in the background supposed to be, then?). The airport (before redevelopment) was one of the few real locations (if not the only one) seen in Casablanca .

The steps of the hospital, where Rafe’s romantic gesture ends with a Champagne cork thwacking his already bruised nose, is the entrance to the old LA County Historical and Art Museum , now the eastern entrance to the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County in Exposition Park , south of downtown Los Angeles . You might recognise this location as the ‘San Francisco’ opera house in Pretty Woman .

The ‘New York’ nightclub, where the pilots and nurses fraternise, is the Queen’s Salon (which used to be the First Class Lounge) of the Queen Mary , 1126 Queens Highway , permanently berthed in Long Beach . The interior of the Queen Mary was also a ‘New York’ nightclub in Ridley Scott ’s Someone To Watch Over Me , and a ‘Manhattan’ bar in the Coens' Barton Fink .

Ironically, in the next scene, Evelyn ( Kate Beckinsale ) is taken for a nighttime cruise around the Queen Mary , though supposedly in ‘New York Harbor’, where she dreams of being aboard the luxury ship.

Rafe tells of his posting to ‘Eagle Squadron’ in England, and promises to come back, at Evelyn’s elegant ‘Manhattan’ hotel.

And this is Los Angeles , too, downtown. The deco entrance and the lobby are the Title Insurance Company Building, 433 South Spring Street , which obviously has a Manhattan vibe, as it was also the ‘New York’ TV station office in Roland Emmerich ’s 1998 Godzilla .

Also downtown LA is the ‘New York’ railway station where Danny waves byebye to Rafe, which is Union Station, 800 North Alameda Street , which has featured in countless movies, including Walter Hill ’s 1978 The Driver , The Way We Were and The Replacement Killers (where it was passed off as an airport).

Most famously, the station was transformed into the futuristic cop station for Ridley Scott ’s Blade Runner .

Rafe’s UK base, ‘RAF Oakley’, though, really is England. It’s Badminton House, Tetbury , near the historic city of Bath in Gloucestershire , which was also one of the locations used to represent 'Darlington Hall' in Merchant - Ivory 's 1993 adaptation of The Remains of the Day , with Anthony Hopkins . Unfortunately, the house is not currently open to the public.

In Hawaii , the hospital exterior is at Palm Circle, Fort Shafter , part of the Pearl Harbor complex in Honolulu , but the interior is the familiar Linda Vista Hospital, 610 South St Louis , east Los Angeles .

Another strange juxtaposition is the circular pool, where the Japanese high command plans the attack on Battleship Row, which is part of the US army post built to guard Los Angeles Harbor . It’s the gun emplacement, flooded with water for the movie, of the old Battery Osgood-Farley , part of Fort Macarthur in Angel’s Gate Park , San Pedro – which is also where you'll find the Korean Bell of Friendship, famous from The Usual Suspects . Close by is the ‘Hawaiian’ lighthouse, where Rafe suddenly reappears fulfilling his promise to return, which is the Point Vicente Lighthouse , Point Vicente Drive South , on the most southwest point of the Palos Verdes Peninsula .

The ‘Honolulu’ movie house, where Danny and Evelyn go to see Charlie Chaplin ’s The Great Dictator , is the Warner Grand Theater , 478 West Sixth Street in San Pedro , south Los Angeles . And, yes indeed, it is as gloriously deco as it is in the movie. The cinema can also be seen in Seabiscuit , What's Love Got To Do With It? and Win a Date with Tad Hamilton . Next door but one, an empty store at 474 West Sixth Street was transformed into the ‘Black Cat Diner’, where they reminisce about the presumed-dead Rafe after watching the movie.

‘Kai Kai Korner: crossroads of the Pacific’, where Red Winkle ( Ewen Bremner ) proposes to Betty, was created on Sixth Street a few yards east.

The training scenes with Doolittle filmed in the enormous Blimp Hangars at Tustin , California , but the raid on ‘Japan’ does gets a little further afield. The industrial section of ‘Tokyo’ is the 4,000-acre US Steel Gary Works at Gary , Indiana , on the shore of Lake Michigan (standing in for the Pacific) The bombers were digitally added to shots taken from the ground, while the reverse aerial shots were taken from a ‘copter, with B-25s added later.

The peaceful Japanese temple seen as the planes retreat, is the Byodo-in Temple, 47-200 Kahekili Highway in the Valley of the Temples, outside Honolulu . It’s a replica of the original Byodo-in in Uji, Japan.

The ‘White House’ rose garden, where President Roosevelt ( Jon Voight ) is informed that the returning mission has no homing beacons, is the Rose Garden back at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County , 900 Exposition Boulevard .

Luna Park Auto Court, now the Lincoln Park Motel, 2101 Parkside Avenue, Lincoln Heights , east Los Angeles , became the ‘Haleiwi Motor Court’, where Evelyn tells Rafe she’s pregnant.

There was filming also at Camarillo State Hospital, 1878 South Lewis Road, Camarillo in the Santa Monica Mountains, which closed in July 1997 and is now California State University : Channel Islands ; and at: Westward Beach, Point Dume (the location of the ending of the original Planet of the Apes ).

Visit The Film Locations

California | los angeles.

Visit: Los Angeles

Flights: Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) , 1 World Way, Los Angeles, CA 90045 ( tel: 424.646.5252 )

Travelling around: Los Angeles Metro

Visit: the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County , 900 Exposition Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90007 ( tel: 213.763.3466 )

Visit: the Queen Mary , 1126 Queens Highway, Long Beach, CA 90802 ( tel: 877.342.0738 )

Visit: Fort Macarthur , 3601 South Gaffey Street, San Pedro, CA 90731 ( tel: 310.241.0846 )

Visit: Angel’s Gate Park , 3601 South Gaffey Street, San Pedro, CA 90731 ( tel: 310.548.7705 )

Visit: the Warner Grand Theater , 478 West Sixth Street, San Pedro, CA 90731 ( tel: 310.548.2493 )

Visit: Hawaii

Visit: Oahu

Flights: Honolulu International Airport , 300 Rodgers Boulevard, Honolulu, HI 96819 ( tel: 808.836.6411 )

Visit: World War II Valor In The Pacific National Monument

Visit: Indiana

UK | Gloucestershire

Visit: Gloucestershire

Ex. : Black Panther , Top Gun 2 , The Batman

Pearl Harbor

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Amis depuis la plus tendre enfance, Rafe McCawley et Danny Walker sont deux brillants pilotes de l'armée de l'air américaine. La Seconde Guerre mondiale a commencé, mais les Etats-Unis n'ont pas encore engagé les hostilités. Rafe succombe bientôt au charme d'Evelyn Johnson, une jeune infirmière. C'est le coup de foudre. Mais ce dernier part combattre aux côtés des Britanniques. Evelyn et Danny sont, quant à eux, transférés sur la base américaine de Pearl Harbor.

La paisible existence de ces deux jeunes gens bascule lorsqu'ils apprennent la mort de Rafe. Evelyn partage son chagrin avec Danny et un amour naît de leurs confidences. Rafe est pourtant vivant. En cette journée du 7 décembre 1941, les retrouvailles et les explications vont devoir être reportées à plus tard : au même moment, près de 200 bombardiers japonais surgissent dans le ciel de Hawaï pour une attaque surprise.

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Michael bay présente pearl harbor :, un conseiller technique acteur, pearl harbor au cinéma, infos techniques, si vous aimez ce film, vous pourriez aimer ....

Le Docteur Jivago

La Bataille de Midway

Pour découvrir d'autres films : Meilleurs films de l'année 2001 , Meilleurs films Action , Meilleurs films Action en 2001 .

Commentaires

• Jeckxdeel Michael Bay ne fera jamais dans le très haut niveau!
• demencia Oui , à bien considérer , Pearl Harbor n'est qu'une attaque parmi d'autres de la seconde guerre , dont je ne suis pas spécialiste , je l'admets , peut-être que les historiens (surtout américains ) en ont démultiplié le contexte et la portée .Mais je parlais surtout du film en lui-même que je trouve raté , attendu , ennuyeux, et alors , du coup , loin de la vérité .
• EauQuiChante Mmmmh Pearl Harbor n'était pas une si grosse défaite que ça...ça a surtout permis à Roosevelt de justifier l'entrée en guerre des US contre le Japon à son opinion publique réticente. Surtout, les Américains n'ont sans doute volontairement pas aventuré leurs bateaux en haute mer et laissé les Japonais attaquer des bateaux à quai: ainsi les cuirassés ont pu ensuite être facilement renfloués (en quelques mois) et le nombre de victimes a finalement été limité (en haute mer, ils auraient effectivement pris une raclée monumentale, avec des dizaines de milliers de morts)...Roosevelt a joué un jeu très trouble, l'air de rien savoir, alors qu'il savait probablement que ça allait arriver (c'est peut-être un des reproches qu'on peut faire au film...Roosevelt est montré sous un jour sympathique, ce qu'il n'était pas)
• EauQuiChante On n'est quand même pas sur du Transformers hein...on est quand même bien au-dessus
• Jeckxdeel Michael Bay fait partie de ces innombrables cinéastes besogneux et ne réalisera jamais le moindre immense film!
• demencia Faible , comme argument ....Mais encore ?
• Mark Landers Tu dis n'importe quoi mec, va te coucher
• EauQuiChante C'est vrai, mais après sur le plan stratégique ça a permis à Roosevelt de lancer la guerre contre le Japon (en obtenant le soutien du congrès)...Rossevelt, d'ailleurs, se doutait que Pearl Harbor allait être attaquée (d'ailleurs le plus essentiel de la flotte du Pacifique c'est à dire les porte avions avaient été envoyés loin au Sud de Pearl Harbor peu avant l'attaque). Sur un plan tactique il faut relativiser: quelques milliers de morts dans le cadre de la Seconde guerre mondiale c'est peu...à fortiori les cuirssé (à l'exception d'un) ont tous été renfloués et réparés peu de temps après...Moi ce qui m'a plu dans le film c'est qu'il montre les soldats comme des humains, et pas comme des machines à tuer ou de grands traumatisés des combats
• demencia Effectivement , les ricains ont pris une belle claque .On ne fait pas d'omelette........
• EauQuiChante Ce film montre le coté humain des soldats qui il faut l'avouer se sont faits massacrer...On ne peut presque pas parler de bataille mais plutôt de massacre
• EauQuiChante J'ai vraiment adoré ce film, qui est tout simplement excellent...Etant passionné d'histoire, je l'ai pris avant tout comme un film historique, ce qu'il est assurément; un grand soin est apporté aux reconstitutions des décors d'époque, aux cuirassés américains, aux habits des matelots et aviateurs etc...Ce qui 'a beaucoup plu est que le film, avant de présenter le début de la guerre entre le Japon et les Etats-Unis, nous montre avant tout des soldats en tant qu'êtres humains, qui ont leurs propres rêves et espérances, leurs défauts et leurs qualités...Ce coté humaniste est présent du début à la fin, avec toutefois une très longue introduction (qui dure entre 40 minutes et une heure) avant que ne survienne la bataille de Pearl Harbor...Cette introduction, à mon avis, est indispensable car elle nous présente les trois personnages principaux (mais aussi tous les seconds rôles qui gravitent autour d'eux) de manière à nous les rendre sympathiques, avec un triangle amoureux (il y a un côté sentimental et romantique clairement assumé dans ce film). Cela ne signifie pas que cette introduction est ennuyeuse, il y a constamment des rappels comme quoi la guerre est aux portes de l'Amérique, que la Seconde guerre mondiale a déjà commencé, avec notamment un évènement dramatique qui va constituer l'un des axes principaux du film. Survient alors la bataille, celle qui est annoncée tout le long de cette longue première partie: Pearl Harbor. Cette bataille est reconstituée de manière impressionnante, avec les bombardements à fleur de l'eau par les très nombreux chasseurs japonais; elle nous est présentée comme une sorte de catastrophe naturelle, comme une tempête contre laquelle il n'y a malheureusement pas grand chose à faire (d'ailleurs, le mot kamikaze en japonais signifie vent divin...)...On a alors comme une sorte de typhon qui va balayer la base et entrainer un nombre très important de victimes...Donc on a une bataille impressionnante. Cela souligne le coté tragique, inéluctable, de la guerre. Par ailleurs, si le film est assurément patriotique, il distille aussi un autre message,: celui de l'inutilité de la guerre et surtout des sacrifices vains qu'elle engendre (à l'image du Raid Doolittle qui a suivi Pearl Harbor, et qui est montré à l'écran), avec la mort de jeunes gens qui sinon aurait peut être eu une belle vie...Cela rend le film émouvant; et ce coté là est renforcé par la fin, magnifique (une des plus belles fins de film que j'ai pu voir...) représentant comme une sorte de retour au point de départ (ce qui renforce ce coté vain et tragique que peut avoir la guerre)...Enfin, c'est certes un détail, le film n'oublie pas de nous dépeindre un Roosevelt en grand chef de guerre, mais avec un coté que j'ai trouvé un peu ambigu et irréfléchi (comme c'était le cas dans la réalité d'ailleurs) Au total, donc un immense film...
• demencia Sans comparaison ! ce Pearl harbor que je viens de voir ce soir n'atteint en rien l'excellent Tora Tora Tora !
• demencia Film chiant ( c'est du Bay ), criard , racoleur, des dialogues au ras des pâquerettes , une histoire bien niaise, trop stéréotypée , des beaux et courageux pilotes , des belles et courageuses infirmières ! Un grand pays très orgueilleux bien humilié ( snif !! c'est bien fait pour lui, Na ! )) Sans surprise !.les hommes américains pleurent , les femmes américaines pleurent , les enfants américains pleurent .Eh oui les gens , c'est la guerre !les japonais pleuraient sûrement aussi ..... Et , historiquement , qu'est-ce qu'un pauvre Pearl Harbor à côté d'un Hiroshima ? Concernant cette époque , je conseille à tous ceux qui ne connaissent pas , de visionner le fabuleux Hiroshima mon amour d'Alain Resnais ( 1959 ) parfait historiquement et fabuleusement bien interprété sur un scénario de ...Marguerite Duras ..s'il vous plait !
• Victornoir Excellent film de guerre avec des images spectaculaires d'un Pearl Harbor en feu. Malheureusement cette oeuvre est un peu gâchée par sa romance d'une totale niaiserie.Très long aussi. Le raid sur vengeur sur le Japon aurait justifié un second film.
• Rudy66 Bon film de guerre, retraçant à merveille cette fameuse attaque de 1941.Le film est plutôt axé sur une romance liant les trois personnages principaux, mais cela n'enlève en rien à la dramatique de l'histoire. On y ressent toute l'agitation et la panique que ces gens là ont du endurer, un jeu d'acteur étincelant. 4/5
• rogers b très bon film ! beaucoup d'émotion.
• Naewin Très bon film de guerre. Des scènes de batailles à couper le souffle, un très bon casting et une BO excellente. 4/5
• Captain Marvel ! La Hype Les 03h00 sont obligatoires, il y a aucune longueur.
• Captain Marvel ! La Hype Un des meilleurs films de ces dernières années ! Je l'avais au ciné à l'époque, une merveille !
• Syndromcinoche Toujours un sommet en matière de scènes d'action, la bataille de Pearl Harbor qui enterre bon nombre de climax de n'importe quel blockbuster de ses dernières années.

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Pearl Harbor

• Buena Vista Pictures Distribution

The Best Movies About Pearl Harbor, Ranked By History Buffs

Any student of American history will remember the date December 7, 1941. The attack on Hawaii’s Pearl Harbor was devastating. Many ships were damaged. Two of them - the USS Arizona and the USS Oklahoma - were lost entirely. Worse, the raid  took the lives of over 2,000 people . It was arguably the most significant catalyst for the United States' involvement in World War II.

Naturally, this true story has been adapted several times to the silver screen. World War II has made for some of the  greatest war movies of all time , and this particular chapter is rife with tragedy, pathos, heroism, and shocking turns. Many filmmakers have put their unique stamp on this era of history, which means there are plenty of great films to choose from. 

Tora! Tora! Tora!

• 20th Century Fox

The Story It Tells :  Tora! Tora! Tora! is unique in that it tells the story of Pearl Harbor from both sides’ perspectives. The film begins with the Japanese plotting the attack in great detail. Meanwhile, Americans decipher their secret code and learn of the planned attack. They beef up their defenses at Pearl Harbor but fall short. Then the film goes back and forth between the Japanese and United States’ perspectives (where viewers see a more nuanced view of Japanese feelings and behavior). Unlike most films about Pearl Harbor, the attack occurs in the ending moments of the film.

Historical Accuracy : The film scores pretty high in the accuracy department. Some technical advisors who worked on the film had actual experience from the Pearl Harbor attack. The movie also portrays the attack's background quite accurately, right down to the  poor relationship between the United States and Japan. And if that weren't realistic enough, some of the aerial combat was  filmed with vintage warplanes from the 1940s.

Critical Reception:   Tora! Tora! Tora! wasn't exactly a success. It was a box office bomb when it came out, and modern audiences tend to find it  emotionless and a bit empty .

'Storm Over the Pacific' (Released In The US As 'I Bombed Pearl Harbor')

The Story It Tells: Made by the studio that brought the world Godzilla (Toho Studios),  Storm Over the Pacific is the tale of a Japanese bombardier, Lt. Koji Kitami. It begins with Kitami participating in the attack on Pearl Harbor. After the attack succeeds, he goes home to Japan. Later, he takes part in the infamous Battle of Midway. Following the Japanese defeat in the battle, Kitami starts questioning his belief in Japan.

Historical Accuracy : The movie starts with an accurate portrayal of what happened at Pearl Harbor, but predominantly focuses on the Battle of Midway. The scenes at the Battle of Midway, in particular, are accurate to the  Japanese experience of the fight . The way Kitami reacts after the battle is similar to that of many Japanese during the war and the film is more accurate to the Japanese perspective during the war, as opposed to the Americans'. 

Critical Reception: Known in the US as  I Bombed Pearl Harbor , the film received some criticism for its use of miniatures but some praise for being an accurate retelling of the other side.

The Story It Tells : After Pearl Harbor is attacked and the US enters the war, the United States figures out the Japanese are planning to attack the Midway Atoll. The movie follows the story of Wade McClusky and Dick Best as they participate in the events leading up to and during the Battle of Midway. The movie switches between Japanese and US action throughout, building tension and intrigue before the battle. The film then shifts the action to the battle itself, followed by what happens to the key characters in its aftermath.

Historical Accuracy : According to director Roland Emmerich, the film was supposed to be as accurate as possible. Many parts of it are, too. The ships are extremely faithful to the time, and the script received advisement from Naval History and Heritage Command historians. Additionally, Emmerich  enlisted help from the US Navy itself to ensure accuracy.

Critical Reception : Midway did not do very well when it came out, despite its historical accuracy. Criticized for its story and dullness, critics  didn't care for it much at all . 

In Harm's Way

• Paramount Pictures

The Story It Tells : The story begins on December 6, 1941 (one day before the Pearl Harbor attacks). The next day, William “Mac” McConnell reports for duty on his Destroyer, the USS Cassiday. When he notices a formation of Japanese aircraft flying toward Pearl Harbor, he sounds the alarm. But he's too late. The Cassiday flees, becoming one of only a few ships to survive the attack. Afterward, the story switches to another officer, Rockwell Torrey, who gets switched to desk duty after his cruiser is torpedoed by a Japanese submarine. The action takes Torrey through romance and a meeting with his estranged son. During the meeting, he discovers info about Operation Skyhook, over which he later takes command. The film ends with Torrey being rescued during a great battle by Mac and, eventually, being honored for his role in the operation.

Historical Accuracy:  Despite the focus on personal relationships in the film, some elements are fairly accurate, like the sense of loneliness and relationships between some characters. Some of the ships during the initial attack are based on real ships from the harbor,   but there are  plenty of inaccuracies throughout the film.

Critical Reception:  Despite   its sprawling narrative and epic story, the film has mixed reviews, with critics finding it slow and cliched . Although nominated for an Academy Award (for its amazing cinematography) when it came out, it didn't win the prestigious honor.

From Here to Eternity

• Columbia Pictures

The Story It Tells : In this 1953 classic, Robert E. Lee Prewitt (played by the inimitable Montgomery Clift) switches from the bugle corp to a rifle company. His new commanding officer learns about his past as a boxer and tries to get Prewitt to join his boxing club. When Prewitt refuses, the new CO makes life hard for Prewitt and, later, his entire company. The film sees Prewitt and his friend Maggio (played by Frank Sinatra, no less) deal with a violent sergeant, tangled love stories, and eventually a fight between a different sergeant and Prewitt. On the night of the attack, Prewitt gets killed as he attempts to return to the barracks.

Historical Accuracy : The movie is less a story about Pearl Harbor than it is a story set against the backdrop of those events. The movie was based on a novel, which itself takes a realistic approach to the daily life of soldiers. The film is known for how realistically it showed the boredom in the barracks and the pent-up frustrations of soldiers and their command, exposing the way things really were during the war. 

Critical Reception :  From Here to Eternity was  incredibly well received , winning multiple awards in its time and, more recently, being selected for preservation by the Library of Congress. Although dated in some ways, it holds up as an inspiring and high-quality film.

The Final Countdown

• United Artists

The Story It Tells : In the best tradition of Harry Turtledove, The Final Countdown is an alternative history sci-fi flick more than anything else. After being assigned to the USS Nimitz , Warren Lasky finds himself on a strange adventure. Somehow, the Nimitz gets caught up in a weird storm. When it subsides, it turns out they've catapulted back in time to the day before Pearl Harbor. In the past, the Nimitz gets attacked and rescues someone from the time period. Then they're faced with the ultimate question: Since they know what's going to happen, do they intervene? Or do they sit back and let events play out as they always have? 

Historical Accuracy : Some parts of the film are pretty accurate, like the aircraft carrier and many of the  real-life aircraft used during the film . There’s also a painstakingly accurate recreation of the Pearl Harbor scene from  Tora! Tora! Tora!   But given its use of time travel and some other creative liberties the film took with its story, it’s not historically accurate at all.

Critical Reception : For an alternative history film from 1980, the film garnered some pretty positive ratings. Unfortunately, the movie takes itself too seriously and the critical consensus  reflects as much . 

• Warner Bros.

The Story It Tells : After the Pearl Harbor attack, B-17s set out on flight. One of them (the Mary Ann ) gets ordered to fly to Wake Island to defend The Phillippines. During the trip, war is declared. The Mary Ann then sets out to fight but gets overwhelmed by Japanese fighters. The crew repairs the Mary Ann and heads off to fight many more battles during the war. 

Historical Accuracy : Air Force holds a unique position among war movies, as it came out only two years after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Because of this, it was less a document of events and more of a way to boost morale. Some events are dramatized or never actually happened (like Japanese-Americans being spies who engage in sabotage). And a  large portion of the film is fictionalized despite supposedly being based on a true story. 

Critical Reception : Air Force was critically acclaimed in its time. Although some modern critics might call it propaganda, it remains an  emotional, action-packed film that can be enjoyed in any generation.

The Story It Tells : Michael Bay's Pearl Harbor is a war drama mixed with plenty of romance (more specifically, a love triangle). Focusing on two friends (Rafe McCawley and Danny Walker) who also happen to be pilots, the film follows the lead-up and planning of the attack by the Japanese, the attack itself, and its aftermath. It begins with showing the friends playing together as kids and establishing how close they are. Then it shifts to 1941, where both characters are serving together. One of them, Rafe, gets shot down in a bombing raid, but returns the day before Pearl Harbor. The next day, the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor, during which our heroes fight back in their own planes. The remainder of the film shows how Danny and Rafe handle the aftermath of the attack, including a secret mission of their own. 

Historical Accuracy :  Pearl Harbor  isn’t exactly historically accurate. There are a lot of inconsistencies and just  plain incorrect history . If the love triangle angle isn't bad enough, there are also minor aspects of the film that don't make any sense. Uniforms are incorrect, facts are presented inaccurately, and aspects of the Japanese navy are also incorrect. And  there are plenty more . Let's just say that, out of all the films made about Pearl Harbor,  Pearl Harbor is one of the least historically accurate. This is one film you won't find on a list of underrated war films !

Critical Reception : Pearl Harbor is an overly long, historically inaccurate film, and the critics really didn't like it when it came out. Its average rating is relatively low and it's considered  tedious and overly long .

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Pearl Harbor (2001)

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How Historically Accurate Is The Movie Pearl Harbor?

Film director Micheal Bay owes much of his success to relatively over-the-top action films such as "Armageddon" and Paramount's "Transformers" series. While profitable, many of his projects have been lambasted by critics for lacking substance, and his attempt to dive into historical drama was met with a similar response in 2001 when "Pearl Harbor" premiered. Survivors of the attack joined the backlash from the perspective that it wrote out actual heroes of that day in order to focus on a fictional love triangle, with sailor Doris Miller being one of the few historical survivors represented (via The Guardian ). 

Indeed, the film suffers from both historical and technical errors (via SFGate ). In regards to the latter, mistakes include but are not limited to clearly modern aircraft carriers and destroyers representing the navies of Imperial Japan and the United States, respectively, fighters performing unrealistic maneuvers, and even the 1960's-built USS Arizona memorial being visible in one scene (via PearlHarbor.org ).

The film is riddled with needless oversimplification and falsehoods

How the events themselves unfold in the film is not executed any better. The film at least includes the most geopolitically relevant figures of history — including President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto — but even then, its portrayal of them is questionable. While the latter did plan the attack on Pearl Harbor, his dialogue in the film implies that the decision to attack the U.S. fell to him in a single meeting. In reality, Yamamoto did not hold such power — the decision was made after months of discussion, and the admiral was opposed to attacking an enemy he knew to be materially superior. 

Another blatant falsehood is a scene showing Japanese planes attacking an army hospital. While no branch of the Japanese military was above committing war crimes, the Imperial Japanese Navy pilots who carried out the attack were under strict orders to not attack any hospitals. Damage to these facilities was minimal, and only one of their staff was killed (via Naval History and Heritage Command ). Toward the end of the film, the Doolittle Raid is conversely underscored, as the U.S. planes struck multiple cities rather than just parts of Tokyo (via HistoryNet ).

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Pearl Harbor

Synopsis Pearl Harbor

Amis depuis la plus tendre enfance, Rafe McCawley et Danny Walker sont deux brillants pilotes de l'armée de l'air américaine. La Seconde Guerre mondiale a commencé, mais les États-Unis n'ont pas encore engagé les hostilités. Rafe succombe bientôt au charme d'Evelyn Johnson, une jeune infirmière. C'est le coup de foudre. Mais ce dernier part combattre aux côtés des Britanniques. Evelyn et Danny sont, quant à eux, transférés sur la base américaine de Pearl Harbor. La paisible existence de ces deux jeunes gens bascule lorsqu'ils apprennent la mort de Rafe. Evelyn partage son chagrin avec Danny et un amour naît de leurs confidences. Rafe est pourtant vivant. En cette journée du 7 décembre 1941, les retrouvailles et les explications vont devoir être reportées à plus tard : au même moment, près de 200 bombardiers japonais surgissent dans le ciel de Hawaï pour une attaque surprise.

Critiques Pearl Harbor

Pearl Harbor : critique

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How Much of the Film Pearl Harbor is Accurate?

The 2001 film Pearl Harbor was met with a mixed reception at the time of its release. Although it was the most expensive movie ever filmed up to then, critics considered it to be an average film at best and a poor film at worst. Audiences generally enjoyed it, with the exception of some survivors and veterans of the attacks who found the film extremely distasteful. A pilot portrayed in the film, Kenneth Taylor, described it as, “a piece of trash; over-sensationalized and completely distorted.”

The director of Pearl Harbor Michael Bay explains:

“When you see the movie you don’t get a sense of the first or second wave. You get a sense of the attack. That’s what’s important. And you need to see this through the eyes of people whom the audience connects with.”

For the audience to connect with the characters, certain parts of their lives were fictionalized. Maybe that’s why Mr. Taylor felt so strongly about the Hollywood depiction of events that unfolded that day.

Mr. Taylor wasn’t the only veteran to be upset over Michael Bay’s Pearl Harbor . Jack Leaming was a radio operator in an attack plane that was shot down after the events of Pearl Harbor. He was imprisoned by the Japanese and held captive in Osaka, Japan. This was a man whose period of service was set to end on December 9th, 1941, but he stayed back after the outbreak of war to fight the Japanese forces.

Mr. Leaming had this to say about the film:

“'They're not giving them the recognition that they should receive - in fact, they're detracting from it. But that's the movie business. It's about money. It's romanticized.”

Like Titanic before it, Pearl Harbor draws the audience in by creating a love story, and tries to recreate the feeling of loss experienced during those times. Although only one scene in the movie is related to them, Pearl Harbor most closely resembles the accounts of Kenneth Taylor and George Welch, second lieutenants in the U.S. Army Air Corps and two heroic pilots who bravely defended Pearl Harbor in the time of most desperate need.

The scenes leading up to and featuring the pilots’ dogfights over the harbor are accurate, but the similarities seem to end there. That is, except for the very expensive and realistic-looking explosions.

Here are some of the historical inaccuracies in the film 'Pearl Harbor':

• Japanese aircraft carriers depicted in the movie took advantage of jet catapults and angled flight decks – technology not implemented until the 1950s.
• Admiral Isoroku Yamomoto was not aboard a Japanese aircraft carrier on the day of the attacks.
• The Japanese aircraft carriers depicted in the movie were actually the same as the ones used by the U.S. Navy at the time
• The planes are shown flying unrealistically and dangerously. Although agile for their time, the P-40s and Zeros weren’t able to perform many of the dog-fighting maneuvers shown in the movie.
• The planes used by the United States during the attacks were model P-40, but in the film they are shown flying the later model P-40N, which was introduced in 1943.
• On an exploding ship during the air raid sequence, a tripod mast is shown falling over when there is no recorded instance of this occurring during the actual attacks.
• The Japanese Zeros in the film are green in color, as if they were Japanese Army aircraft. In fact, the Zeros that raided Pearl Harbor were silver, and belonged to the Japanese Imperial Navy.

There are more specific areas in which the movie was inaccurate, for example in the opening scene the biplane used wasn’t invented until years later. This is probably because it would be hard to find or build a replica model plane that was actually used in the era.

Many people feel that  Pearl Harbor misses the mark. In addition to taking liberties with historical facts, the overall narrative of the film seems to downplay the efforts of the other 100 pilots in the air over the harbor that day. Many veterans and survivors were disappointed with Mr. Bay’s portrayal of the attacks on Pearl Harbor for this reason.

While Pearl Harbor isn’t the best source of information to learn about the actual events that happened that day, there are several historic sites in Honolulu that offer a breadth of information on practically everything related to the attacks. The most popular to visit are the USS Arizona Memorial, Bowfin Submarine Museum, and the Battleship Missouri , each offering something unique to those visiting the historic sites. When planning a visit to Pearl Harbor, we recommended that you do some research ahead of time to decide which sites you want to make the time to visit.

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Pearl Harbor : résumé

Une épopée flamboyante, dans la plus pure tradition des films hollywoodiens… Un bon moment de cinéma, ce soir sur France 3 .

Amis depuis la plus tendre enfance, Rafe McCawley et Danny Walker sont deux brillants pilotes de l'armée de l'air américaine. La Seconde Guerre mondiale a commencé, mais les États-Unis n'ont pas encore engagé les hostilités. Rafe succombe bientôt au charme d'Evelyn Johnson, une jeune infirmière. C'est le coup de foudre. Mais ce dernier part combattre aux côtés des Britanniques. Evelyn et Danny sont, quant à eux, transférés sur la base américaine de Pearl Harbor. La paisible existence de ces deux jeunes gens bascule lorsqu'ils apprennent la mort de Rafe. Evelyn partage son chagrin avec Danny et un amour naît de leurs confidences. Rafe est pourtant vivant. En cette journée du 7 décembre 1941, les retrouvailles et les explications vont devoir être reportées à plus tard : au même moment, près de 200 bombardiers japonais surgissent dans le ciel de Hawaï pour une attaque surprise.

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Glamour, action, aventure, amitié et passion : tous les ingrédients sont réunis pour réaliser un grand film américain comme on les aime. Du grand spectacle, avec une brochette d’acteurs qui crèvent l’écran. A voir, ou à revoir !

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• samedi 18 mai

Pearl Harbor 77

• Film de guerre de Michael Bay (2001)
• Avec : Ben Affleck, Josh Hartnett, Kate Beckinsale, Cuba Gooding Jr., Alec Baldwin, Jon Voight, Tom Sizemore, Dan Aykroyd, William Lee Scott, Greg Zola, Ewen Bremner, Jennifer Garner, Catherine Kellner, Sara Rue, Michael Shannon, John Fujioka, Mako, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, Matthew Davis, Colm Feore, Brian Haley, Jaime King, Reiley McClendon, Jesse James, William Fichtner, Steve Rankin, David Hornsby, Scott Wilson, Graham Beckel, Howard Mungo
• Pays de production : Etats-Unis

Le casting de Pearl Harbor

Les bandes-annonces de Pearl Harbor

War History Online

10 Reasons Why 'Pearl Harbor' Is The Least Accurate World War II Movie Ever Made

Posted: May 28, 2024 | Last updated: May 29, 2024

10 Reasons Why ‘Pearl Harbor’ Is The Least Accurate World War II Movie Ever Made

Director Michael Bay established his reputation with films such as The Rock (1996), Bad Boys (1995), and Armageddon (1998). Eventually, he was granted the opportunity to direct a historical movie with 2001's Pearl Harbor . Regrettably, he prioritized creating an action film over ensuring historical accuracy. The outcome: numerous glaring inaccuracies that make the movie nearly unwatchable for us.

The color scheme of the RMS Queen Mary is all wrong

The RMS Queen Mary is a legendary British ocean liner that sailed the North Atlantic for decades before retiring in December 1967. She operated throughout the course of the Second World War , and was given escorts to ensure her voyages weren't put at risk by German U-boats . Today, the ship is docked in California and is known for being one of the most haunted vessels in the world.

During the Pearl Harbor movie, Ben Affleck's character, Capt. Rafe McCawley, is onboard a vessel that floats past the Queen Mary . She's sporting her traditional red, white and black color scheme, which isn't historically accurate, as the ocean liner was painted grey during World War II. This more muted color scheme allowed for her to better camouflage while at sea.

Radio technology was far too advanced for the time

In Pearl Harbor , radio operators stationed in Hawaii were able to listen in on what the Doolittle bombers were discussing while over the Pacific. This wouldn't have been possible back in 1941, due to the limitations of short-range radio units. Long-range communication was instead done via Morse code.

Speaking of the Doolittle bombers, their missions were also misrepresented in the movie. Not only do the filmmakers make it seem as if the aircraft were spotted by numerous Japanese patrol vessels, which they weren't, it also suggests they only conducted raids over Tokyo . In reality, they also bombed several other industrial centers across Japan.

Women didn't just serve as nurses to support the war effort

In case you didn't notice, nearly all of the primary female characters in Pearl Harbor - Kate Beckinsale, Jennifer Garner, Jaime King and Catherine Kellner - are nurses. Of course, nurses played an incredibly important role during WWII, but women both in the United States and abroad did much more to help in the war effort.

Depending on their skill set, some ferried aircraft , while others worked as mechanics and code breakers . Others promoted the sale of war bonds and even worked in factories to help produce items that were needed by troops serving overseas.

Nurses wouldn't be left alone with African-American patients

Pearl Harbor depicts the story of Doris "Dorie" Miller , a cook who became a hero during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Not only did he help his injured comrades onboard the USS West Virginia (BB-48), he also manned the battleship's anti-aircraft gun, despite having no training on how to operate the weapon. For his actions, he was presented the Navy Cross, becoming the first African-American to be awarded the honor.

In one scene in Pearl Harbor , Miller, played by Cuba Gooding Jr., is tended to by a nurse, played by Kate Beckinsale. While a touching moment, it likely wouldn't have actually happened in 1941. At the time, the US military still had segregated hospitals. As such, a White nurse treating an African-American patient would have been accompanied by a chaperone.

Pearl Harbor featured the wrong Curtiss P-40 Warhawks

Throughout Pearl Harbor , pilots stationed in Hawaii are depicted flying Curtiss P-40 Warhawks . However, upon closer inspection, you can see that the aircraft are of the wrong variant. In December 1941, American pilots would have been flying P-40Bs and P-40Cs, rather than the later models shown in the film.

How can you tell? The P-40s in the film have three guns mounted on each wing. The variants flown during the attack on Pearl Harbor had only two guns on each wing, with another pair positioned on the engine cowling.

Japanese pilots didn't actually target a hospital

During one scene in Pearl Harbor , the filmmakers depict Japanese aircraft as deliberately targeting a hospital on an American ship. In reality, they never intentionally targeted one, and it wasn't because they wanted to come off as more humane. Hospitals were considered poor targets for ammunition, especially when it could be used to strike more strategic areas.

The bikinis worn by the nurses didn't yet exist

Michael Bay and those behind Pearl Harbor decided to add a scene where the nurses gather on the beach. In it, they're seen sporting bikini-style bathing suits. The thing is, this style of swimwear hadn't yet been created. In fact, it wouldn't make its debut on the fashion scene until nearly six years later.

Pearl Harbor got Chester Nimitz's rank wrong

Chester Nimitz is an enormously important figure in American military history. That's why it's unfortunate that the minds behind the Pearl Harbor movie portrayed him in a way that wasn't entirely accurate.

In the film, Nimitz is a full admiral with control of Naval Operations. In December 1941, however, he was just a vice admiral. It wasn't until after the attack on Pearl Harbor that he was promoted to the rank of admiral and named commander-in-chief of the US Pacific Fleet (CINCPACFLT) by President Franklin D. Roosevelt .

Pearl Harbor painted the Mitsubishi A6M Zeros the wrong color

While Japanese-flown Mitsubishi A6M Zeros are known for their green paint job, they actually entered the Second World War sporting a much more muted grey tone - and one that didn't react well to sunlight. It wasn't until 1943 that the aircraft began being painted green.

Given this, the Zeros flown in Pearl Harbor should be grey. Instead, they're painted green, which isn't all that historically accurate.

There was another issue with the nurses' clothing

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In one scene in 2001's Pearl Harbor , the nurses pass by the flag-draped coffins of those who lost their lives in the attack. Each is decked out in the latest fashion from the time, which wouldn't have actually been the case. Nurses were considered Navy personnel, meaning they would have needed to appear in uniform any time they weren't in the comfort of their own quarters.

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