Watch December 7th The Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor

On December 7th, 1941, the United States experienced a devastating attack on its naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The surprise attack carried out by the Imperial Japanese Navy resulted in the deaths of 2,403 Americans and led the United States to enter World War II. This historical event has been portrayed in numerous films, documentaries, and books, but the documentary film December 7th The Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor provides a unique perspective of the attack.

Narrated by acclaimed actor Walter Huston, the documentary was directed by John Ford and Gregg Toland, who used a combination of archival footage and staged re-enactments to recreate the events of that fateful day. The film begins by chronicling the events leading up to the attack, including the increasingly hostile relations between Japan and the United States and Japan's desire for greater control over the Pacific region.

The documentary utilizes the perspectives of both American and Japanese military leaders to tell the story of the attack. Interviews with Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, the architect of the attack, and Admiral Husband Kimmel, the commander of the Pacific Fleet, provide insight into the planning and execution of the attack, as well as the response of the U.S. military.

The film's re-enactments of the attack are impressive, particularly considering that they were filmed just two years after the actual event. Using actual planes and ships, the re-enactments offer a glimpse into the chaos and devastation of the attack. The scenes of Japanese planes flying low over Pearl Harbor and dropping bombs and torpedoes are particularly vivid, capturing the sense of fear and panic that must have gripped the sailors and civilians on the ground.

In addition to the attack itself, the documentary also delves into the aftermath, examining the damage done to the U.S. fleet and infrastructure and the long-term implications of the attack. The film points out that while the attack was a tactical victory for the Japanese, it ultimately led to their defeat in the war. The United States, infuriated by the attack, declared war on Japan the following day, drawing other Allied powers into the conflict and ultimately leading to Japan's surrender.

Although December 7th The Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor does not offer any groundbreaking new information or perspectives on the event, it remains a powerful and informative account of one of the most significant events in American history. The combination of archival footage and re-enactments, paired with insightful interviews and narration, make the film a compelling and engaging watch for anyone interested in the history of World War II or the events leading up to it.

December 7th The Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor is a 2016 action movie with a runtime of 33 minutes.