Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo
Added 10/30/2009
A true story is always more fun to watch. This is one of the best.
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More than a war movie
Added 8/29/2009
The DVD transfer of this 1944 BW release is very good to excellent.
This is the depiction of America's first response to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Filmed during the war in 1943, 'Thirty Seconds over Tokyo' gives the viewer not only the action sequences one expects from the raid on Japan but the stories of the men that flew the mission. The movie is based on the book by the film's protagonist, Ted Lawson (Van Johnson). Director Mervyn LeRoy and screenwriter Dalton Trumbo changed little from that first hand account. The training, bombing run and subsequent escape in China are all as they actually happened.
The story also portrays the emotions and sentiment of the period. Scenes which may seem overly sentimental or dramatic are not Hollywood hype but the real feelings of people caught up in WW2. The flying scenes of B25s are also authentic as is the interior of the bomber when we are inside the plane. I would go into a story synopsis but it isn't necessary. Just know that this is a true story told by a man that took part in the raid.
Highly recommended for: WW2 movie fans, all movie fans. Good for the whole family but young children won't get much from it.
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World War II Movie Based on a Book of the Same Name
Added 8/3/2009
Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo
This a great movie based on a book written by Ted Dawson who participated in the famous Doolittle raid over Tokyo in World War II. Van Johnson plays Dawson and Jimmy Doolittle is enacted by Spencer Tracy. Robert Mitchum has a minor role as Dawson's friend in what may have been one of his first featured roles.
The movie follows Dawson and the crew of the "Ruptured Duck" from volunteering for a secret mission, through the training required for an aircraft carrier take-off, into the brief bombing raid itself followed by the crash landing in Japanese occupied China. The rescue of the crew by the Chinese and the eventual reunion of Dawson and his wife in the States makes up about half of the movie.
Although this is a war movie the crux of the story is about the people involved and the interactions of a group of the "greatest generation". It is a great story.
An article in Air Force Magazine (April 2009) about the Doolittle Raid can be found on the internet and is recommended reading. As of April 2009 there are nine surviving members of the raid. The article includes details of the yearly reunion and the goblets used in a toast.
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Great Old American War Tale
Added 6/21/2009
What a great old style black and white war yarn, black and white film black and white moral treatment and black and white good versus evil all the way down the line. Yes it's based on a real event, and a great morale builder for americans it was, and a thank goodness America is finally in the war from the rest of us. Spencer Tracy at his curt best no mish mash of a script here. It's long, for a war movie of that era, and seems to want to heap praise on the brave chineese, they deserved it considering how many died in japaneese retrebution for aiding these young airmen. a fine example of a real life story with what we call "spin" today, to see whether I am right or not you are going to have to watch it, you won't regret it. just a little to much "Yanks won the war" style to it nevertheless. Dave Victoria Australia
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30 Seconds Over Tokyo, DVD
Added 4/7/2009
Great Classic WWII movie, True story.
Good service. DVD arrived on time and in good condition.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo
Added 10/30/2009
A true story is always more fun to watch. This is one of the best.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
More than a war movie
Added 8/29/2009
The DVD transfer of this 1944 BW release is very good to excellent.
This is the depiction of America's first response to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Filmed during the war in 1943, 'Thirty Seconds over Tokyo' gives the viewer not only the action sequences one expects from the raid on Japan but the stories of the men that flew the mission. The movie is based on the book by the film's protagonist, Ted Lawson (Van Johnson). Director Mervyn LeRoy and screenwriter Dalton Trumbo changed little from that first hand account. The training, bombing run and subsequent escape in China are all as they actually happened.
The story also portrays the emotions and sentiment of the period. Scenes which may seem overly sentimental or dramatic are not Hollywood hype but the real feelings of people caught up in WW2. The flying scenes of B25s are also authentic as is the interior of the bomber when we are inside the plane. I would go into a story synopsis but it isn't necessary. Just know that this is a true story told by a man that took part in the raid.
Highly recommended for: WW2 movie fans, all movie fans. Good for the whole family but young children won't get much from it.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
World War II Movie Based on a Book of the Same Name
Added 8/3/2009
Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo
This a great movie based on a book written by Ted Dawson who participated in the famous Doolittle raid over Tokyo in World War II. Van Johnson plays Dawson and Jimmy Doolittle is enacted by Spencer Tracy. Robert Mitchum has a minor role as Dawson's friend in what may have been one of his first featured roles.
The movie follows Dawson and the crew of the "Ruptured Duck" from volunteering for a secret mission, through the training required for an aircraft carrier take-off, into the brief bombing raid itself followed by the crash landing in Japanese occupied China. The rescue of the crew by the Chinese and the eventual reunion of Dawson and his wife in the States makes up about half of the movie.
Although this is a war movie the crux of the story is about the people involved and the interactions of a group of the "greatest generation". It is a great story.
An article in Air Force Magazine (April 2009) about the Doolittle Raid can be found on the internet and is recommended reading. As of April 2009 there are nine surviving members of the raid. The article includes details of the yearly reunion and the goblets used in a toast.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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