Review of Tora! Tora! Tora!

Video

Tora! Tora! Tora! is one of those classic war movies that my dad suggested I watch several years ago when I was growing up. I remember seeing it one Saturday afternoon with him about 15 years ago on the BBC as neither of us could be arsed with the Saturday afternoon sport. We used to leave that to my brother and mum!

The film deals with the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour in Hawaii in 1941 that was the flashpoint that finally brought the Americans into World War II. This DVD presentation is a 2.35:1 widescreen transfer and is the only way to see the film. The wide shots of the Japanese fighters and bombers approaching the harbour entrance, and the aerial shots of the American frigates and destroyers are totally lost on a 4:3 pan and scan version, as we saw that Saturday afternoon many years ago on the television.

This disc is THX digitally mastered, and they have used an amazingly clean print for a 1970 movie. I only noticed one imperfection during the whole film and that was a small black splodge during one of the aerial fight scenes which kept disappearing and reappearing depending on the camera used. So not a fault with the DVD at all.

The first half of the film is mainly scene setting, but the second hour is where most of the action is. This film must have enjoyed an enormous budget back in 1970 as the visual effects are stunning for a film of this age. The scenes where the airbases around Pearl are destroyed from the skies above feature some amazing shots of grounded fighter aircraft being blown away. Also there are some spectacular air crashes which make one wonder how they did those shots without the stuntmen on the ground who were trying to dodge the crashing aircraft from being killed.

I cannot fault the video presentation at all – as it has the THX badge on the box, it has to be good. Many films have been getting the THX restoration treatment, another very good example is The Towering Inferno (see my other review on this site). The movie is split over 31 chapters.

Audio

Again THX have done an amazing restoration job here. For a 1970 film, the restoration has provided a new Dolby Digital 4.1 soundtrack. Yes 4.1, as the two rear channels are mono rather than independent feeds as you would normally expect from a full 5.1 soundtrack.

The rear channels are not overly used or intrusive as could have been the temptation when re mixing the soundtrack, but they feature just enough to add depth to the film. They mainly come alive during the aerial fight scenes as planes rumble around the soundstage. At one stage during the really loud bits, I did notice a little crackle on the rear channels that did not disappear on reducing the volume, but this was the only small issue with an otherwise flawless soundtrack.

Features

The DVD provides three trailers as the extras. You get the trailer for this film, and interestingly they also provide trailers for ‘Patton’ starring George C. Scott, and ‘The Longest Day’. All three trailers are totally original and dating from the 60s and 70s, and very nostalgic viewing they are too.

Conclusion

Tora! Tora! Tora! is an absolute classic as far as war movies go, and I am grateful that my dad got me to see it at a young age. Seeing it again about 15 years later having been digitally remastered was a very rewarding experience.

The film builds up amazing tension as the Americans realise that war is coming, and one of the best things about this film is that the story is told from both the point of views of the Americans and the Japanese. No one can accuse this film of being the typical ‘good ole American boys’ type war movie, and in actual fact the film shows up some unbelievable mistakes from the USA. Also the Japanese realise that all they may have done after annihilating Pearl Harbour is to wake up a sleeping giant….

Interestingly, half way through the film just as the bombing is due to start, the film pauses for an ‘Intermission’ for a minute or two. The screen blackens, and a rousing orchestral score is played that really stirs the emotions up for what is to come in the second half of the picture.

This DVD is a must for war movie fans, and shows just what can be achieved using the THX restoration process. Also the DVD is quite cheap too, so the added value for money combined with a wonderful film makes this disc a must for any serious movie fan’s collection.