History Buffs: Tora! Tora! Tora! 

You don´t upload videos very often +History Buffs, but when you do, they are top-notch.

My father was climbing a mountain on Oahu during the filming of this movie. He was very confused when he saw all the Zeros in formation flying by.

I remember watching "Tora, Tora, Tora" and being absolutely sickened by the reality of the violence. Then two decades later I watched "Pearl Harbor" and was absolutely sickened by Hollywood.

As the late Roger Ebert said, “Pearl Harbor is about Japan’s surprise attack on an American love triangle.” I agree whole-heartedly with Nick’s reaction to Ebert’s review of Tora! Tora! Tora! : “What?!”

23:58 if anyone is curious about that scene where you see the F14’s fighting the Japanese Zero’s, it’s from a movie called the “The Final Countdown”, It’s a great movie with a great cast. It’s about an American Aircraft Carrier from the 1980’s, and while out at Sea the ship gets caught in some kind of weather phenomenon which actually sends them back in time to the day of the Pearl Harbor attack. The crew has to figure out what’s happened, then decide if they should intervene and destroy the Japanese fleet or not get involved, and so much more. It’s a great movie and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who hasn’t seen it.

WW2 Vet: “I almost died at Pearl Harbor.” Actor: “Yeah me too.” 10:15

League of Nations: "Japan, we want you to withdraw!" Japan: "Okay." (withdraws from League of Nations) League of Nations: "Really should have worded that better."

I took my WWII/Pearl Harbor survivor dad to see "Pearl Harbor". Afterward, I asked him what he thought; his comment was that it had a nice love story, but for an authentic depiction of the attack we should see "Tora! Tora! Tora!"

"Tora! Tora! Tora!" is a masterpiece. They used actual planes. I don't think there would be another movie production that would use these special effects.

The fact that there was a collaboration between US and Japan film crews is the best. Make movies kids, not war.

It should be noted, that it was the critics that gave it 51%, the rest of us gave it 81%.

I was stationed at Hickam in the 1980s and the bullet holes from Dec 7th were still visible in many buildings. I spoke with two Pearl Harbor veterans who were acting as tour guides at the Arizona Memorial, one of them served on the Arizona and was on duty the morning of the attack. I asked them about this movie, specifically if it was an accurate depiction. They both agreed the movie was very accurate. It was an honor speaking with those gentlemen, both of whom I assume have long since joined their comrades in the place where soldiers, sailors, and airmen never age. I have always loved this film. I first saw it as a kid in the theater and was blown away. Unfortunately, I must admit I also wasted my money and saw Pearl Harbor at the theater. A buddy talked me into going to see it with him. We both came out shaking our heads, wondering how anyone could make a chick-flick based on the attack on Pearl Harbor. Between that and all the inaccuracies we both agreed the time would have been better spent shooting pool at the sports bar. Anyway, cool review. If anyone finds this comment, which I doubt will happen, I highly recommend a visit to the Arizona Memorial. There is no more solemn monument in the world. RIP guys, I'll be along directly and maybe we can share war stories, though I expect mine will shrink beyond sight compared to yours. Sleep well.

Toshiro Mifune was so dedicated to Yamomoto's character he had his left hand taped up to simulate Yamamoto's injuries at the Battle of Tushima, 1905.

“I’ll get that guys number I’ll report him for safety violations,” Plane: Drops Bomb “That’s one massive safety violation,”

Aloha, as a kid living on Oahu , we got to watch the filming of "Tora,Tora,Tora" ... Pearl Harbor was getting Attacked all day everyday for two months ... We'd lay on the grass in our front yard watching Zeros and P-40s dogfighting , B-17s flying around getting shot at by Zeros , Bettys and Kates dive bombing the Harbor ... They even blew up a 3/4 scale USS Arizona , that we watched from the Submarine base directly across from Ford Island and Battleship Row ... Quite a spectacular sight ... And a great movie ! Aloha

I loved your comments about the movie Pearl Harbor. My grandfather was a fighter pilot in WWII. When that movie came out, the whole family sat around and watched it with him. When it was over we asked, "Well, is that what the war was like?" His comment... "I don't remember that much kissing." 🙂

Here's something you you did not consider : this movie was released at the end of 1970. The ongoing US failure in Vietnam had soured a lot of public opinion about all things military, and this likely had an impact on the negative critical reception of this movie.

Another great historical accuracy that most people in the US miss. Look at Yamamoto's left hand in scenes where it can be obvious. The actor Sō Yamamura carefully keeps the index and middle finger tucked up into his palm. Yamamoto had served on the armored cruiser Nisshin during the Russo-Japanese War. He was wounded at the Battle of Tsushima, losing two fingers (the index and middle fingers) on his left hand. Supposedly had he lost another finger he would have been discharged by the IJN. That would have significantly changed history.

"You Want Your Confirmation, Captain? Take a look! There's your confirmation!" - EPIC!

Honestly the accidents with the practical effects, especially that p-40 crashing into the other p-40’s, it just is perfect, like even though those guys really did almost actually die in a way it just made it so more authentic of a reaction from them

I love this movie! I’ve seen it dozens of times. It’s accuracy is what makes it so great. I especially love the addition of George Welch and Ken Taylor, the 2 American pilots who managed to get in the air and shot down 6 planes between the two of them. Both men were in their early 20’s at the time. Unbelievable courage!

To be fair the Pearl Harbor movie was nearly as big a disaster as the attack itself

I love how Yamamoto is missing his fingers so accurate I only just noticed it when a friend pointed it out good on Tora tora tora for remembering that

Totally awesome parody! Especially your using the Zero vs. F-14 Tomcat scene from "The Final Countdown" with the "Starship Troopers" music score! You Sir, are a comedic genius!

I watched this movie every Memorial Day with my dad growing up. He always made a point about how even handed it was and how accurately it depicted America's mistakes. Patriotism is fine, but blind patriotism is just asking to repeat old mistakes.

"There's your confirmation, sir!" One of my favorite lines of all time.

I remember seeing this as a kid and not liking how it made the Japanese look 'cool' and us stupid. As an adult I appreciate the film as a work of art.

I saw this film when it first appeared, and thought it was brilliant. I've watched it from time to time and never get tired of it. I was pleased a few years ago when the mini submarine sunk by the Ward was found, thereby confirming the kill. I love it when Neville Brand says, "You want confirmation, sir; there's your confirmation!"

I saw "Tora, Tora, Tora!" when it first came out as a double feature with my family. I was 9 and had heard of Pearl Harbor but didn't really know what had happened. It wasn't until some years later when I began to do some research about WWII in general on my way to being a history buff about the war that I realized how historically accurate the movie really was. I still watch it to this day.

When I was 11 years old, my father took me to see this film. He had been stationed at Guadalcanal and the Philippines during WWII. I remember him pointing out to me the amazing innovation of having the Japanese side of the story be produced by a Japanese crew. This is because, in addition to having served in the Pacific during the war, he was an avid student of history and valued historical accuracy over revisionist propaganda. It was probably because of my witnessing his admiration for this film that I didn't realize until I viewed this analysis that it had not been a great success at the box office.

Great to know that America-Japan had the balls to make such a great real film.

I absolutely LOVE that these aren't just movie reviews, but that you go to the trouble to give a detailed explanation about the film's subject matter in order to give it context, and better illustrate how the movie either adheres to or departs from it.

My grandfather and his father were stationed at Pearl Harbor when the attack happened. They both said that it was so accurate that they had ptsd-type flashbacks when they first saw it. We still have their army trunks with the bullet holes in them, too. Same with my great grandfather's sword from the war.

The negative reviews for Tora! Tora! Tora! *at that time* is because 2/3rds of the American population in 1970 was alive for World War 2 and the fact that the attack went off was seen as outrageous and for the Navy itself, scandalous. In other words, a movie illustrating the intelligence and strategic blunders than enabled the attack was "offensive" especially in the context of an unpopular war and other social unrest going on at that time. But there's something we can do about it! The film is undergoing a historical re-evaluation for at worst, being better than Pearl Harbor, and at best, being an unsung masterpiece. So spread the word.

I remember watching this in high school. The curriculum called for "Pearl Harbor", and the teacher acknowledged that point, but went ahead and put this on instead.

Thank You! I saw it in the theater as a kid with my Uncle (who was a Pacific theater naval officer during the war). I have watched it every December 7th since it came out on VHS. I have never understood why this movie was not more appreciated. OK, so it didn't wedge in a BS love story or take ridiculous liberties for drama sake. But you could "see" real history and be the more knowledgeable for it. And I personally liked how the Japanese view was at least addressed...pretty novel in those days.

The screenplay for Tora! Tora! Tora! was partially based on the novel of the same name by Gordon W. Prange - published by Reader's Digest in November and December of 1963. I highly recommend the follow-on book of Prange's that was published a year after his death in 1981 titled, "At Dawn We Slept: The Untold Story of Pearl Harbor." It goes into much more detail about the attack and the events leading up to it. Prange was a History professor prior to the war and was commissioned as a naval officer in 1943. His background in History enabled him to be assigned as General MacArthur's Chief Historian - allowing him unprecedented access to Japanese records that hadn't been destroyed by the time of the surrender.

Showing my age. When I was school, this movie was thought of as so historically accurate, we got to go and see '"Tora! Tora! Tora!" on a school sponsored field trip! Going to the movies, seeing a war movie, plus getting out of school for most of a day. What more could you ask for!!!

My father served on the Missouri while in the navy. I can remember him coming back from seeing this movie saying he had never seen a war movie as accurate as that one. I watch it every Dec. although I cry everytime

I find Yamamoto to be an exceedingly interesting historical person. Its worth pointing out that before any action was decided he applied a lot of pressure internally to find a way to stay at peace with the US, and like the movie shows, his life was in danger because of it. However once a decision was made, Yamamoto as a loyal officer did his best as a commander to, in his mind, defend his country. He just seemingly contrasted so heavily with his contemporaries, and while it was undeniably a tactical victory, and the right call at the time, its a shame that he was killed. His post war memoirs and insight would have been very interesting imo.

I remember when I was a teenager after watching Pearl Harbour... I found Tora Tora Tora so much more enlightening. And it is there on my Dad's shelf along with A Bridge Too Far and The Battle of Britain.

Tora! Tora! Tora! the Explora!

I love this movie... My father was an extra in the movie... he is actually the body double for the admiral when he is getting off of the boat. Also, many of the scenes that were filmed for this movie found their way into other movies like MIDWAY!

6:56. I also love the fact that Yamamoto's actor has two of his fingers bent in to simulate that he has lost two fingers, which is historically accurate. Yamamoto had lost two fingers during the Russo-Japanese war of 1905. It's such a small detail that could have easily been overlooked, but they did it anyway.

7.5/10 on imdb, 55% on Rotten Tomatoes. What the fuck, man?! How the hell is that possible?

Fun fact: some of the "Zeros" shown in the film are actually modified and repainted American T-6 trainer planes. However, at least one of these T-6 trainers is actually an SNJ (the US Navy's equivalent the the US Army's T-6). That SNJ belonged to my late uncle who owned and flew his plane in the movie (uncredited). He was an interesting guy who would often fly tourists in his SNJ around Pearl Harbor. Unfortunately, he suddenly died when the helicopter he was piloting went down during a search and rescue mission around the mountains of Hawaii. The true cause of this crash is still unknown. He also had a F4U Corsair in pieces that he had planned to put together. While that didn't happen in his lifetime, the folks at the Midway museum got it on loan from his widow and put it together. His F4U Corsair is currently on display on the USS Midway Museum in San Diego, CA.

Just watched this and I was genuinely shocked by the battle scene. Those stunts and effects were amazing. The buildup to the battle is what makes the battle all the more startling.

Watching this today on the 80th anniversary. Thank you for being so dedicated to historical accuracy and for sharing that passion with us all.

How on earth, could my history teacher show us PEARL HARBOR and not this???

The whole attack scene is just more incredible with every watching. CGI? Who needs that?

I have rewatched most of your episodes and can tell how passionate you are about most titles especially Waterloo. Above all, the enthusiasm you have when you announce TORA! TORA! TORA! is palpable.

I recorded Tora Tora Tora and A Bridge Too Far on VHS from a Sunday afternoon TV broadcast. They both get an outing a few times each year. History and entertainment in one glorious packet. Your analysis adds icing to the cake.

My parents watched this every December 7 while I grew up in the 70's. It was usually shown on WGN. My mom always had to read the subtitles of the Japanese for my dad. Today is December 7, 2020. I may watch it tonight when I get home form work. An awesome, and very underrated, movie.

The one thing I’ve learned while going through my entire cinephile phase: never listen to critics *ESPECIALLY IF THEIR NAME IS ROGER EBERT*

23:02 I also love the fact that the actor who plays Admiral Yamamoto is Mako. Most of us remember him as Uncle Iroh from Avatar: The Last Airbender. The inclusion of the foaming mouth guy clip is also the best thing ever to supplement this video. XD

I saw Tora Tora Tora on an Army base in Japan, 1972. The audience stood and yelled when the movie turned. I also had an uncle in the Navy during the attack. He survived it and the war.

Critics like Roger Ebert completely miss the point of a film like this.

*suddenly F-14s* Wait, what? I feel like I was caught not paying attention.

Thanks Nick, this was greatly appreciated. Great Job as Always....

The historic consultant for this film was Gordon Prange. One of his students was my professor at college, we watched this film in his class. He said that Prange was so fanatical about factual accuracy that he published very little because he was constantly verifying and re-checking his facts. It was his students who completed "At Dawn We Slept" after his death.

Excellent review! And I agree that Tora,Tora, Tora does not get the recognition it deserves. In fact, if it weren't for my freshman year history teacher, whom showed us the film in class , I'm not sure I ever would've seen it. I enjoyed Tora so much that I went and saw Pearl Harbor on opening day, thinking it would be a newer version of this classic...boy was I disappointed!

23:44 the movie is called 'The Final Countdown' in case anyone was wondering.

Thank you for reviewing "Tora! Tora! Tora!" One of my favourite war films and the best WWII film ever! I remember seeing it with someone who worked as a crew member in Air France, and she told me how this film really nailed the flying scenes, as she felt them so realistic!

Your enthusiasm rubs off, thank you!

Thanks for the mention! A whole lot of folks came over. And as always, great episode.

About B17 and order to fly away. This is standard procedure on any military airfield under attack. A plane is a much more easy target on the runway, and if is destroy, can damage runway and block it for operation. This order is accurate with military perspective and may be historically accurate (but most pilots be never even tried land in this condition)

I volunteer with the local oral history project and a few of the tapes I've transcribed are interviews with people involved in Pearl Harbor (a naval signalman, an Army engineer, an Air Force ground crew member, and a native volunteer). The Army engineer was out on a hill during the attack and he listed this film as a great way to understand what the planes looked like, coming in so low between the hills.

Watched this review and this movie today……the 80th anniversary of Pearl Harbor. Fantastic movie and review……and may the fallen not be forgotten.

"We have awoken a sleeping giant" returned in the new Midway movie too, when Yamamoto is listening to the radio he asks (who I think is) his wife to turn it off and says those exact words to her.

11:46 "you made a movie about the Titanic? Why? We already know it ends." "He doesn't get out much, does he?" "No."

This movie is the gold standard for historical cinema and deserves to be widely recognized as such.

Excellent narratives; excellent clips. Way to go, brotha!

Saw this in the cinema in 70mm on wide screen. Thought then and still do, that the Japanese sequence of the planes taking off the carriers as the sun rose was awesome

Totally agree with your commentary. This is a seriously underrated film. I just noticed that at 21:51, the movie is so accurate that Admiral Yamamoto is missing two fingers from his left hand. He lost those in the Battle of Tsushima as a young sailor. Wow. Also, a number of the harbor panorama shots have modern installations in the background, but that is unavoidable without CGI.

Great review. I may need to hunt down a way to watch this again. I saw it as a little kid with my family at the drive-in. I think I would appreciate more now.

Just watched Tora! Tora! Tora! with my dad because i remembered History Buffs recommending it. Great movie, we both really liked it.

I love that clip from "The Final Countdown". And your reaction to it.

As an old person (51) I grew up on this movie being re-ran on TV in the 70s and 80s. Still one of my favorite war movies of all time... Great channel and awesome review. Glad I found you!

Have had a copy of this film for years and watched it several times. I don't find the build up boring at all; but then I am a bit of a nerd! Great film, definitely underrated.

I saw this movie when it first came out. I loved it. Everyone in the theater who saw it with me seemed to love it too. Your video is excellent.

I always thought that the main reason why "Tora! Tora! Tora!" did poorly in America was because of a general American aversion to watching foreign-language films with English subtitles.

I couldn't agree with you more. I really appreciated how in depth and HONEST both sides were told. NO SUGAR COATING, NO BULLSHIT. It's as close to "this is how it was" as I think a non documentary film can do.

My father was a boy soldier who served throughout WWII. His favourite war movie was, "A Bridge Too Far" (because he was there), and said it was the most accurate. His second favourite was, "Tora, Tora, Tora", because of the combat scenes.

Your reviews are so good, absolute master class, thank you!!

13:48 Japanese pilot: "Here's your "safety violation", American!!"

I had been a WW2 geek since I was 14. I saw this when I was 18. To me, it was the highpoint of movie making. I simply could not believe how real it was....

THANK YOU!!! I have been trying to wake people up to this movie since I first saw it in the theatre when it first came out. I never knew it had gotten bad reviews and I can only despise those who didn't get it. This movie is like being there.

You have done a very good job AND with humor!

As a half American half Japanese who grew up in Japan and living in the USA (and also a massive IJN fanboi), I absolutely love this movie. Watching this on first week of December is my Christmas Movie tradition. Juuuust one thing... Totsugeki Raigeki doesn't mean Lightning attack. Although the word "Rai/雷" does have a meaning of thunder/lightning, the word "Rai-geki/雷撃" means "Torpedo Attack" as torpedo is "Gyo-rai/魚雷". TORA meant "Attack by Torpedo (First)" The reason why the acronym code for "Torpedo Attack" was translated to "われ奇襲に成功せり/Ware Kishuu ni Seikou Seri/Surprise Attack Success" was because that was their instruction on how to attack. Surprise attack means their guards are not up. Therefore, deadlier but slow and vulnerable Torpedo Bomber can go first to maximize the effect. If the attack squadron was detected and was no longer a surprise attack, it would have been "トキ/TOKI/Totsugeki Kyoushuu/Attack Assault" as they have to attack AA guns and airfields first by Dive Bombers to suppress interception so Torpedo Bomber can safely make torpedo run but they'll be running into smokes. There's an interesting trivia behind this "who goes first". If this is going to be Surprise Attack and TB are going first, Squadron Leader Cmdr Fuchida would fire 1 flare gun. If it's Assault Attack and DB are going first, he'll fire 2 flares. But when Fuchida shot his flare, TB Sq Leader LtCmdr Murata couldn't see it because there was a streak of cloud in between. So Fuchida shot second flare so Murata can see it but DB Sq Leader LtCmdr Takahashi saw both flares and thought it'll be an assault attack so he went first. As a result, DB dropped the first bomb of the attack at Wheeler on 0755 while Murata was moving in for torp run which was planned to be executed on 0800. Murata saw smokes are coming up from Hickam Field and he made shortcut so TB can do torp run before smoke settles in and launched his torp on 0757.

Sorry for the reupload. There was an error in the video and I needed to fix it. Hope you guys enjoy the review :)

Holy crap! I NEED to see this movie! Love your dedication to history!

One thing I liked about TTT was how it portrayed Fuchida as a confident professional, almost arrogant in his ability, and loved by his men. The best scenes in the film I think are on the Akagi flight deck when they give orders to being starting engines, turn into the wind, and prep for launch. The whole sequence is simple but great film making. The order to launch and the first aircraft goes down the deck and Genda checks his watch - which he did at the time. During the flight in the sun comes up and the remark of it resembling the flag - that occurred. Later, part of it is the music, when they sight PH and Fuchida realizes they have achieved surprise - powerful scene. And one thing I really liked because it was rare at the time, the Japanese spoke Japanese with subtitles, instead of speaking English with faux "Japanese" accents. TTT is not a masterpiece and has its problems but as theatrical films about the attack go, it's best that's been done.

a movie is created that was made half by USA other half by Japan. Logical person:that really makes me happy and proud of these people. Literally every one else: tHaT MooViE iS a JaPaNisE PrOpaGAnDa.

I love "Tora! Tora! Tora!" My grandmother liked it too - and she lived through WWII. I am not a history buff but I do have a copy of this movie.

All due congratulations for this episode!!! To close it out, I find it very impressive you chose to sync up with the ending of the movie's moving musical theme composition!!! Well done, indeed!!! 👏 👏 👏

Coming out in 1970, this movie arrived in the heart of the Vietnam War, a time when the American People were most definitely NOT interested in war pictures that were not antiwar. In terms of contemporary US box office, it bombed. In JAPAN, OTOH, the crowds were around the block for many weeks. The $$$ made in Japan helped to recoup the costs of making the movie.

"In the first six to twelve months of a war with the United States and Great Britain I will run wild and win victory upon victory. But then, if the war continues after that, I have no expectation of success". - Isoroku Yamamoto, Commander in Chief, Japanese Navy

Excellent job, as always.

Tora ! Tora ! Tora ! is one of my favorite war movies. War movies are not only about the fighting on the ground but also about the politics of war, the strategy and how war is conducted from the point of view of senior commanders, the choices they make, the responsibilities they carry, how they conceive and conduct operations. I would love war movies about Scipio Africanus, Raymond Spruance or David Elazar :-)

The film actually won the Oscar for Best Visual Effects in 1971 for the previous year’s film season. That’s Impressive.