Overlooked masterpiece?

No question.

Ugh no. It's a very typical and shining example of early sixties propaganda using WWII to boost the reputation of the U.S. as it dove headlong into the Cold War years, but a cinematic masterpiece it is not.
Movies are supposed to be emotion, dynamic, dramatic and entertaining. This movie is pretty close to an executive training film, and no where near accurate enough to be a good documentary.

Found this on NetFlix when I was looking for Navy movies. Had seen it long ago and found it entertaining for the micro-historical perspective (of Halsey's five weeks of 'Canal time).

Watching it last night, made me think two things: 1) Was this originally intended for the stage? It concentrated on people interaction with very little battle, which is okay, but seemed very stagey. (Without researching, possibly always was film intended since it was a Robert Montgomery (tha actor and narrator) - James Cagney (the star) co-production.) AND more importantly, 2) Is there any way to turn off the irritating heavenly choirs constantly punctuating the flow? (O, God on High, Halsey has joined the Heavenly Heroes!)

I also remember twirling my finger in a circle (meaning "move on" or "let's speed it up") while Halsey was waiting for the first battle reports while alone in his cabin. Thirty seconds of disembodied squawkbox battle voices would have gotten the point across, but five minutes or seven, whatever. I could have prepared dinner before that bit ended.

Final note, also found Dennis Weaver's wildly down-home accent grating.

So, "Overlooked Masterpiece?" IMO, I don't think so. Though it would have made a good mix with the re-runs of "Victory at Sea" shown to us when I was at Navy OCS.

Final note: If interested in Halsey, try "The Admirals" published last month about Halsey, King, Leahy and Nimitz. A very good read.

certainly Cagney's finest performance.
Against stupidity the gods themselves contend in vain (Isaac Asimov)

Not if you consider sleeping pills to be a masterpiece. This movie sucked, and sucked hard.




I want the doctor to take your picture so I can look at you from inside as well.

Not a masterpiece. Halsey should have been portrayed as he was, warts and all. Like George C. Scott did with Patton. Cagney was the right guy to do it. Too bad the real Halsey was still alive and wouldn't have allowed it.

Soy 'un hijo de la playa'

It's a good film, with a solid performance by Cagney, but certainly no masterpiece. It has many flaws, including its slow pacing at several points.

A person's a person, no matter how small. -- Dr. Seuss

I sat through the first hour totally bored then turned it off. One thing a WW2 movie shouldn't be is boring.