Pearl Harbor 

Last Updated on: October 18th, 2023

Pearl Harbor movie

“Pearl Harbor” is a 2001 epic war film directed by Michael Bay. The movie is a historical drama set during the events of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, which occurred on December 7, 1941, and marked the United States’ entry into World War II.

The film revolves around the lives of three main characters: Rafe McCawley (played by Ben Affleck), Danny Walker (played by Josh Hartnett), and Evelyn Johnson (played by Kate Beckinsale). Rafe and Danny are childhood friends who become fighter pilots in the U.S. Army Air Corps. They are stationed in Hawaii at the time of the attack. Evelyn, a nurse, is a love interest for both Rafe and Danny, creating a love triangle that adds emotional depth to the story.

The first part of the film focuses on the characters’ lives and relationships before the attack. It explores their personal struggles and ambitions, as well as the challenges they face in their military careers. As tensions rise and war looms, the movie portrays the excitement and anticipation of the pilots preparing for combat.

The second part of the film depicts the infamous attack on Pearl Harbor itself. The meticulously crafted action sequences portray the chaos and devastation caused by the surprise attack. The film does not shy away from the harsh realities of war, showing the loss of life and destruction that occurred during the attack.

After the attack, the movie shifts its focus to the aftermath and the characters’ experiences in the war. The emotional toll of war is explored, including the challenges of survival and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

“Pearl Harbor” received mixed reviews from critics, who praised its impressive visuals and action sequences but criticized its romantic storyline and historical inaccuracies. Despite the criticism, the film was a commercial success, grossing over $450 million worldwide.

While “Pearl Harbor” may take some creative liberties with historical events, it serves as a tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of the men and women who lived through one of the most pivotal moments in American history. It pays homage to the heroism of the soldiers and the impact of the attack on the lives of those involved. The film captures the emotions and complexities of war, leaving viewers with a profound sense of the human cost of conflict.


Pearl Harbor 


Additional Details

  • Movie Studio:
  • Year Released: 2001
  • Type of Movie: Live Action
  • Box Office: $449.2 million
  • Awards: Won Academy Award; Nominated Golden Globe
  • IMDB Link

Cast

  • Ben Affleck: the First Lieutenant (later Captain) Rafe McCawley
  • Jesse James: young Rafe McCawley
  • Josh Hartnett: First Lieutenant (later Captain) Daniel “Danny” Walker
  • Reiley McClendon: young Danny Walker
  • Kate Beckinsale: Lieutenant Evelyn Johnson
  • Tom Sizemore: Sergeant Earl Sistern
  • Jaime King: Betty Bayer
  • Catherine Kellner: Barbara
  • Jennifer Garner: Sandra
  • William Lee Scott: First Lieutenant Billy Thompson
  • Ewen Bremner: First Lieutenant Red Winkle
  • Greg Zola: First Lieutenant Anthony Fusco
  • Michael Shannon: First Lieutenant Gooz Wood
  • Matt Davis: Second Lieutenant Joe McKinnon
  • Dan Aykroyd: Captain Harold Thurman
  • Kim Coates: Lieutenant Jack Richards
  • Sara Rue: Martha
  • Tony Curran: Ian
  • William Fichtner: Mr. Walker
  • Steve Rankin: Mr. McCawley
  • John Fujioka: General Nishikura
  • Leland Orser: Major Jackson
  • Ted McGinley: Major Newman
  • Andrew Bryniarski: Joe
  • Brandon Lozano: Baby Danny McCawley
  • Cuba Gooding Jr.: Petty Officer Second Class Doris “Dorie” Miller
  • Jon Voight: President Franklin D. Roosevelt
  • Colm Feore: Admiral Husband E. Kimmel
  • Mako: Kaigun Taishō (Admiral) Isoroku Yamamoto
  • Alec Baldwin: Major (later Lieutenant Colonel) Jimmy Doolittle
  • Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa: Kaigun Chūsa (Commander) Minoru Genda
  • Scott Wilson: General George Marshall
  • Graham Beckel: Admiral Chester W. Nimitz
  • Tom Everett: Frank Knox
  • Tomas Arana: Rear-Admiral Frank J. ‘Jack’ Fletcher
  • Peter Firth: Captain Mervyn S. Bennion
  • Glenn Morshower: Vice Admiral William F. ‘Bull’ Halsey Jr.
  • Yuji Okumoto: Kaigun-Daii (Lieutenant) Zenji Abe
  • Madison Mason: Admiral Raymond A. Spruance
  • Michael Shamus Wiles: Captain Marc Andrew “Pete” Mitscher

Crew

  • Director: Michael Bay
  • Producers: Michael Bay and Jerry Bruckheimer
  • Writer: Randall Wallace
  • Music: Hans Zimmer

Movie Trailer:




About the Author

Craig Smith
I am founder and editor of DisneyNews.us. My passion for all things Disney goes pretty far back to my first trip to Walt Disney World in the mid-80's. I have since returned to the magical place more than 20 times. I started this site when I came to the realization that I spent a significant portion of my day reading articles about Disney and watching Disney content with my 8-year old, so it made sense that I would start sharing some of what I read and see and building a little community around it. Other interests include 80's nostalgia, vintage toys, video games, LEGO, Star Wars and tech gadgets. Other sites include DMR and VideoGamesStats.com.