Tora! Tora! Tora! (1970)

Edward Andrews: Admiral Harold R. Stark

Photos 

Quotes 

• [Admiral Stark is reading through the final part of the Japanese diplomatic ultimatum at his desk with Kramer, McCollum, Wilkinson, and two other officers] 

  Captain Arthur H. McCollum : Sir, the fourteenth part of this intercept which Kramer just delivered, indicates to me that the Japanese are going to attack.

  Admiral Harold R. Stark : None of us doubt that war is coming. We know they have an expeditionary force heading south.

  Rear Admiral Theodore S. Wilkinson : Sir, as hostilities seem imminent, may I recommend that you telephone Admiral Kimmel... in Hawaii.

  [Stark looks around the room, undecided, while Kramer and Wilkinson watch anxiously. Finally he reaches for one of the telephones on his desk. He hesitates for another long moment] 

  Admiral Harold R. Stark : No...

  [He hangs it up] 

  Admiral Harold R. Stark : I'd better call the President first. Now if you'll all please excuse me.

  [the others nod and leave the room. Kramer, the last to leave, looks back at Stark as he goes, extremely worried. Alone, Stark stares at the telephone. It is 11:05 AM, Washington time on December 7th] 

• Frank Knox : [reading a report of the attack]  Oh, no, no, this can't be right; they must mean the Philippines!

  Admiral Stark : No, sir. It's Pearl!

  Frank Knox : [to his aide]  Get me the White House, the direct line!