John Boorman's allegorical story of two men stranded on an island during the latter part of WWII is a very powerful and cinematic experience. Boorman approaches the subject boldly, providing a mere two characters and opting not to use subtitles when the foreign character speaks. Many films would fail under these circumstances, but Boorman works wonders with this one and the result is a fascinating film indeed. There are a few weaknesses, such as an ambiguous and abrupt ending and some longueurs in the narrative, but on the whole the film is recommended viewing.
A Japanese captain (Toshiro Mifune) and an American pilot (Lee Marvin) find themselves marooned on a remote Pacific island in 1944. Initially, there is understandable hatred between the pair, as their nations have been locked in conflict for so long. The Japanese soldier attempts to smoke his opponent out of the jungle; the American pilot repeatedly attempts to steal his adversary's fresh water. On and on their feud goes, until eventually they begin to realise that they are stuck on this lonely speck of land, with no-one on the way to rescue them and no chance of survival unless they work as a team. In spite of the cultural and linguistic differences between them, the duo manage to construct a makeshift raft and launch out upon the Pacific waves in search of help. After an arduous trip across the sea, they come to another island, apparently formerly used as a military outpost but now deserted and totally in ruin. Amid the rubble, the two men find alcohol, newspapers and scissors, among other things. After a long overdue shave, and a few drinks, they seem almost to be returning to the realms of civilisation after their trying ordeal.
Marvin and Mifune are superb in largely wordless roles as the two sworn enemies stranded together. Their frustrating inability to communicate is brilliantly interwoven into the story, and via gesticulations and expressions the two men eventually manage to get their message across to each other and the audience. The film is visually beautiful, with very appropriate Palau Island backdrops used to emphasise the isolation that each man feels. There is an element of comedy about the film, too, which is cleverly underplayed but very funny if you watch closely. The scene where Marvin urinates on Mifune from the trees is simultaneously vulgar and hilarious; also amusing is the scene where Marvin is startled by Mifune and growls "for a second I thought you were a Jap!" The sequence in which the two men attempt to navigate the ocean aboard their fragile raft is thrilling, and culminates in an unforgettable shot of the pair slumped, exhausted, side by side a perfect metaphor for the draining and pointless effect of war upon their respective nations. Indeed, Hell In The Pacific is full of intelligent allegorical imagery the experiences of both men can be viewed as a microcosmic representation of the whole Japan vs USA war. Hell In The Pacific is a great film that deserves better recognition.
A Japanese captain (Toshiro Mifune) and an American pilot (Lee Marvin) find themselves marooned on a remote Pacific island in 1944. Initially, there is understandable hatred between the pair, as their nations have been locked in conflict for so long. The Japanese soldier attempts to smoke his opponent out of the jungle; the American pilot repeatedly attempts to steal his adversary's fresh water. On and on their feud goes, until eventually they begin to realise that they are stuck on this lonely speck of land, with no-one on the way to rescue them and no chance of survival unless they work as a team. In spite of the cultural and linguistic differences between them, the duo manage to construct a makeshift raft and launch out upon the Pacific waves in search of help. After an arduous trip across the sea, they come to another island, apparently formerly used as a military outpost but now deserted and totally in ruin. Amid the rubble, the two men find alcohol, newspapers and scissors, among other things. After a long overdue shave, and a few drinks, they seem almost to be returning to the realms of civilisation after their trying ordeal.
Marvin and Mifune are superb in largely wordless roles as the two sworn enemies stranded together. Their frustrating inability to communicate is brilliantly interwoven into the story, and via gesticulations and expressions the two men eventually manage to get their message across to each other and the audience. The film is visually beautiful, with very appropriate Palau Island backdrops used to emphasise the isolation that each man feels. There is an element of comedy about the film, too, which is cleverly underplayed but very funny if you watch closely. The scene where Marvin urinates on Mifune from the trees is simultaneously vulgar and hilarious; also amusing is the scene where Marvin is startled by Mifune and growls "for a second I thought you were a Jap!" The sequence in which the two men attempt to navigate the ocean aboard their fragile raft is thrilling, and culminates in an unforgettable shot of the pair slumped, exhausted, side by side a perfect metaphor for the draining and pointless effect of war upon their respective nations. Indeed, Hell In The Pacific is full of intelligent allegorical imagery the experiences of both men can be viewed as a microcosmic representation of the whole Japan vs USA war. Hell In The Pacific is a great film that deserves better recognition.