User Reviews

This documentary provides a comprehensive and balanced account of the attack on Pearl Harbor. It includes movie footage which attests to the ferocity of the attack and the damage it caused, not only in terms of property destroyed but the toll it exacted on its victims - the Americans. The documentary also places the attack in a broader historical context, showing how it was planned months in advance and explaining why the Japanese decided to take such a radical course of action. What is particularly notable is the actual length of the attack, which lasted over two hours as well as the immense size of the Japanese armada used to launch the attack. It is clear that Japan was determined to deliver to the US a devastating blow - and succeeded. The documentary also raises the question of when the war with Japan actually began: in 1940, when the US moved its Pacific Fleet from San Diego to Hawaii; in July 1941, when the US imposed an oil embargo on Japan; or in November 1941 when Secretary Hull rejected the Japanese proposal for peace? The documentary also shows the attempts at reconciliation between some of the actual combatants decades after the end of the war. Such attempts give cause to wonder as to the value of bringing together bitter adversaries. Whatever the case, one point is made absolutely clear: the attack on Pearl harbor is one of the landmark events of history that changed the world forever.

For me, this documentary was very informative and in some aspects actually even better than the great fílm of 1970. It shows a great deal that was skipped in other films and documentaries, like the story and consequences of the fact that the attack on Pearl Harbour was not preceded by any declaration of war against the U.S.A., by the neglect of some Japanese in high command, which many Japanese found unacceptable, which boosted the American anger and desire for retailiation to unreasonable heights, which probably also motivated them to use the A-bomb against civilians for some ultimate revenge. The film also pays attention to the disturbing fact of the interment into concentration camps of U.S. citizens of Japanese origin, all American civilians punished for nothing except some Japanese connections. The documentary is an important complement to the great film of 1970.

First of all this is an amazingly poor documentary. look at the other reviewer's comments to show how badly it is skewed and how it misinforms. PWNY-CNY writes: "The documentary also raises the question of when the war with Japan actually began: in 1940, when the US moved its Pacific Fleet from San Diego to Hawaii; in July 1941, when the US imposed an oil embargo on Japan; or in November 1941 when Secretary Hull rejected the Japanese proposal for peace?"

Notice those are all US actions? Japan's genocidal invasion of China isn't mentioned? japans mass atrocities there and elsewhere not mentioned? Those are the reasons for Us embargo. And the US moved its fleet HQ in response to Japaneses massive militarization of non Japanese islands. and what "proposal for peace did Hull "reject"? A proposal that the US unilaterally end all sanctions with no change in genocidal policies of the Japanese in China, Korea and elsewhere. And Japan did no deal a devastating blow at pearl harbor. A nasty blow? yes, A cowardly blow? yes. Devastating? it knocked out a couple of very old battleships in an attack that proved battleships were not very useful.