In Harm's Way

Media:	DVD
Directed by:	Otto Preminger
Starring:	John Wayne, Kirk Douglas
Release date:	22 May, 2001
List price:	~~$14.99~~
Our price:	$12.16 that is 19% off!

In Harm's Way

Average rating: Stars

The Duke got a new set of some really big guns

A great soap opera story about the US Navy in the Pacific Theatre of Operations during WWII, with a rich mixture of back stabbing, so so love affairs, a rape and some really great special effects for its time.

In Harm's Way - John Wayne, Kirk Douglas

How do Admirals feel about nurses?

Since there are plenty of reviews, I will keep this short. There is a cavalcade of stars in this picture, all providing exceptional performances. John Wayne plays the lead and does not let us down. This is more than a war story for the alpha male. The story portrays the friendships, bonds, and romances of the characters. The story is woven very well and ties together the characters and sub-plots. The nearly 3 hours flies by.

The special effects for the day are very good. No CGI in the day, but the battle scenes do not need it. I only detected minor use of stock footage - enemy planes flying overhead, but they made up for that with the 5.1 re-mix, so the planes sounded like they were in your media room. Apparently, there was some usage of model ships, but I did not find that bothersome.

The transfer to DVD is very good. The widescreen picture is in black and white, but that is soon forgotten. The blips on the screen from age are negligible (I think I counted 2). There is a 5.1 re-mix sound track that is very good. The surround speakers are utilized as is the .1 low bass, but it is not exceptional. There is great surround sound within the first 15 minutes, when the viewer feels the presence of enemy planes in all corners of the room flying overhead. The bass is utilized throughout the picture, but the most resounding bass sound is near the end when the guns are in full force. Perhaps I am spoiled by the house shaking rumble of today standards, to call it exceptional.

Overall, this is a definite purchase and stands next to Patton. This picture warrants another viewing.

John Wayne, Kirk Douglas - In Harm's Way

Decisive Action Under Pressure

"I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not go
fast; for I intend to go in harm's way." - John Paul Jones

Early in the film, Rock Torrey [John Wayne] and his exec, Commander Eddington [Kirk Douglas] observe a new heavy cruiser sail from Pearl Harbor to join the fleet, and Wayne's next line contains the movie's title: "A fast ship going in harm's way!"

This film is about exactly that - fast ships and men going in harm's way!

"In Harm's Way" is about decisiveness when under pressure, about thinking fast on one's feet, with no regrets.

The scene in CINCPAC's private study right after CAPT Rock Torrey [Wayne] is promoted to Rear Admiral. CINCPAC [Henry Fonda] is rightfully impatient with Admiral Broderick [Dana Andrews], who is egotistical, but unwilling to decide to attack, much like Civil War Union General McClellan. CINCPAC recalls that Lincoln brought in a hard-nosed general named Grant who didn't care less about organization, he just pointed his battalions in the right direction, and he charged the enemy. The whole theme of the film is contained in CINCPAC's next line to Rock Torrey:

"You're gonna be my Grant!"

I also noticed that Director Otto Preminger briefly revisits his theme of an informant-plant as an in-house bad guy, a theme he covered more extensively with Peter Graves as the Nazi barracks spy in "Stalog 17".

The characters all have flaws, but each one rises to the occasion when the war calls on them to give their best. Rock Torrey does not waste a second driving straight into battle, no matter how impossible the odds! This is the classic stuff of Hollywood Magic and also of inspiration!

Buy this DVD! There is inspiration in this old film, and as with the good old Duke, the actors capture all the best things about taking brave risks and decisive action when in harm's way.

On any level you want, "In Harm's Way" delivers!