"Midway" tells the story of the decisive battle between American and Japanese forces as the latter moved to make a major strike on Midway Island in 1942 - six months after the attack on Pearl Harbor. It balances some personal stories with the larger story of the ferocious air battles as both sides took heavy losses.
Focusing on a Captain named Matt Garth (Charlton Heston), whose son (Edward Albert) is in love with a Japanese girl (Christina Kokubo), this features an absolutely incredible cast that is just FULL of familiar faces, although some of the actors are seen only fleetingly.
Well-directed by journeyman filmmaker Jack Smight, this takes a rather documentary-style approach for much of its running time. Indeed, in the first half, the story is more about tactics & strategy, as we see the officers on both sides determine their best course of action. And it's certainly fascinating to watch, especially as it leads to some VERY intense battle scenes in the second half, which often incorporate vintage archive footage that really makes you feel like you're a part of the action.
Punctuated by a stirring score from John Williams, "Midway" deviates from the norm by not spending too much time on any individual soldiers and their bravery. In the end, it's a good look at the machinations behind the scenes as the officers do their best to out-think their opponents and come out on top.
Good entertainment overall; the same tale was told again in a 2019 film, also simply titled "Midway".
Seven out of 10.
Focusing on a Captain named Matt Garth (Charlton Heston), whose son (Edward Albert) is in love with a Japanese girl (Christina Kokubo), this features an absolutely incredible cast that is just FULL of familiar faces, although some of the actors are seen only fleetingly.
Well-directed by journeyman filmmaker Jack Smight, this takes a rather documentary-style approach for much of its running time. Indeed, in the first half, the story is more about tactics & strategy, as we see the officers on both sides determine their best course of action. And it's certainly fascinating to watch, especially as it leads to some VERY intense battle scenes in the second half, which often incorporate vintage archive footage that really makes you feel like you're a part of the action.
Punctuated by a stirring score from John Williams, "Midway" deviates from the norm by not spending too much time on any individual soldiers and their bravery. In the end, it's a good look at the machinations behind the scenes as the officers do their best to out-think their opponents and come out on top.
Good entertainment overall; the same tale was told again in a 2019 film, also simply titled "Midway".
Seven out of 10.