Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo (DVD)

Good quality good movie for collection

After watching the disastrous, multi-million-dollar hokum in 'Pearl Harbor' this weekend, I got therapy by going straight home to re-play this wonderful 1944 classic from Mervyn LeRoy. Accurate, understated heroism (none of the sappy hype from 'Pearl Harbor', thank you), and a wonderful recreation of emotions and attitudes of the era. Historically accurate down to the crew's names (some even look like those in old photos, even the young Chinese doctor is a virtual twin to the real one, who was photographed by DooLittle). It takes a while to get to the Hornet take-off sequence, but it's worth it. I first saw this movie as a kid in its 1949 re-release; I sat on the edge of my seat then, and I still get a chill watching this film today. Makes the fantasy ending of 'Pearl Harbor' look like an over-hyped comic book. "30 Seconds" is proof that in the old days, the Hollywood pro's really knew how to mount a good movie. The action sequences are beautifully done -- and no computers back then, either. It's a lost art, so GET THIS MOVIE before it disappears under the current wave of mindless multimedia junk. Much credit goes to director Mervyn LeRoy ("Little Caesar", "Mister Roberts", and many other classics), who was obsessed with technical and historical accuracy. Despite the fact that "Tokyo" is actually shots of coastal cities in Oregon and Washington state, and the B25's are B25-D's instead of the original 'B' models (which were battle casualties by 1944), one has to admit that the effects are chlllingly effective. Fans of the Superman films will get a kick out of seeing pretty and talented young Phyliss Thaxter, who played Clark Kent's mom in 1978, and who's simply perfect as a war-time bride. Personal dramas aside, this movie succeeds quite well as an "action" film that more closely resembles the real, harrowing story than any of the megabuck diasters of the last few years. The b&w photography is an example of the cinematic artistry that peaked at MGM in the 40's. It's a shame that garbage like "Pearl Harbor" gets a market-blasting DVD release while the wasted film is still warm in the can, while "30 Seconds" languishes in VHS. Come on, Turner Classics, get this beautiful camera work onto DVD as soon as you can. The VHS print, meanwhile, is still fairly decent. [update 2009: Finally got my gleeful hands on a DVD edition from Amazon. Even my wife liked this movie, sat straight-up chewing her fingernails in suspense from the second half onward. The movie gets deeper into characters than most films do. The DVD transfer is of excellent quality, so much so that I played this DVD occasionally just to see the images onscreen; gives you a great appreciation for what good cinematographers could do with black and white. Thank goodness we have a worthy digital successor to the old VHS tape].

“Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo” is the classic World War II film that tells the story of the Doolittle Raid over Tokyo that took place on April 18, 1942. Directed by Mervin LeRoy, it includes among its stars Spencer Tracy, Van Johnson, Phyllis Thaxter, Robert Mitchum, and Robert Walker. It is an outstanding example of how Hollywood filmmakers portrayed American forces as they fought in the Second World War. Based on historical events and people, “Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo” tells its story from the perspective of Lieutenant Ted Lawson (Johnson), one of the actual pilots that participated in the Doolittle Raid. Lawson was the command pilot of “The Ruptured Duck,” one of the B-25 bombers that took off from the aircraft carrier USS Hornet on the morning of April 18, 1942, and bombed Tokyo in retaliation for the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. “Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo” does a very good job of showing what actually happened on the Doolittle Raid. A select group of Army Air Forces aircrews volunteers for the top-secret mission commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Jimmy Doolittle. He warns the crewmembers that the mission is likely to be one-way, very dangerous, and must not be discussed with anyone, including loved ones. The aircrews learn the destination of their mission only after they get underway. Lieutenant Lawson and the crew of “The Ruptured Duck” successfully bomb their targets and fly on toward a landing strip in China. What happens to Lawson and his crew after they complete their bombing run? Watch this excellent film and find out… As with nearly all of the war movies produced during the 1940s, “Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo” is first and foremost an excellent piece of pro-American war propaganda. It shows American fighting forces at their very best – highly motivated and patriotic, fighting with courage and determination against a savage, ruthless, evil foe. The film’s acting is a bit uneven in places. Spencer Tracy is superb as usual, and Van Johnson, Robert Mitchum, and Robert Walker turn in mostly creditable performances. However, Johnson and Thaxter’s scenes together are so syrupy that I found them actually a bit cringe-worthy. “Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo” is an excellent film that I found very entertaining. I like it so much that I have added it to my personal film library. Highly recommended. (4½ Stars ^ 5)

A Good Movie about missions that took place fighting the war over Japan during WWII.

Most of the films made during WW II had some propaganda - flag-waving and patriotic fervor. War films had even more of the usual propaganda; and this one certainly has its share. But this is also a quality war film and among those I've seen that were made during the war, it is my favorite. It is based on the true story of the daring first retaliatory bomb raid over Japan, as told by Ted Lawson, who actually participated in the raid and is played by Van Johnson in this film. LtCol Jimmy Doolittle, played by Spencer Tracy, planned the raid and led the mission, which consisted of a force of B-25 Mitchell bombers taking off from the aircraft carrier, Hornet; bombing Japan (Tokyo and other sites) and making their way to China. The superb screenplay by Dalton Trumbo, accurately portrays the story from Lawson's book; and the quality of the film is enhanced by the master craftsmanship of Mervyn LeRoy behind the camera. In addition to Johnson and Tracy, look for some fine performances by Robert Walker, who plays a member of Dawson's crew; Phyllis Thaxter, in her film debut, as Dawson's wife; and Robert Mitchum, as another B-25 pilot...Mitchum got a number of roles in war films before he was drafted. The battle scenes, some produced for the movie and some from archival footage, is realistic - if you're a fan of vintage WW II aircraft, this film has excellent footage of the Mitchell. Outstanding film; marvelous history lesson. My highest recommendation.

It's an excellent movie our history. The movie has great photography of the B25s and the acting is good too.

The story of Jimmy Doolittle's B-25 bomber raid on the middle of Japan 5 months after he was given the task via President Franklin D. Roosevelt, General George C. Marshell, and then General Hap Arnold of the then Army Air Corps Army Air Corps is a thrilling story as powerful as any story in American Military History. On December 7, 1941 Japanese light aircraft(fighters and torpedo bombers conducted a sneak and dastardly attack from Japanese aircraft carriers which caught practically all US airplanes on the ground and the Navy's Pacific fleet completely unready and suprise lined up like ducks in Pearl Harbour and several military airfields in Hawaii. Pratically all US airdraft were destroyed on the ground and the powerful US Navy Fleet was decimated by torpedo bomers, dive bombers, and fighter aircraft. Fivethousand Americans, military and civilians were killed.Within hours after the Sunday, December 7th, 1941 sneak attack, President Franklin Roosevelt ordered Chief of Staff of the US Army,who commanded thethen US Army Air Force to bomb Japan to include the capital of Japan, Tokyo, and other manufacturing cities on the island of Japan, as soon as possible. The mission was designated TOP SECRET.. Gweneral Hap Arnold, commander of the Army Air Corps identified the man who General Arnold was confident then Major Jimmy Doolittle, a member of the Army Air Corps and the MOST knowledgeable aeronautical engineer, pilot, and civilian air racing champion was up to the task. Najor Jimmy Doolittle determined, with the help of the US Navy, that the new US two engine bomber named the "Billy Mitchell" B-25, named after the most famous US Army Air Corps flier of World War I, could take off within the very restricted deck of the newest US aircraft carrier "Hornet" Refitting of the New B-25 started immediately, since more gasoline tanks would have to be placed in the new bombers. All the members of the bomber crews were volunteers and were told the mission was a clandestine and dangerous mission, perhaps a suicide mission.Assembly of the crews was a relatively easy task since most men who were rated on B-25s volunteered. The aircraft and crews were assembled at Eglin Army Air Corps field in the panhandle of Florida, about 60 aircraft , each with six man crews. The number of planes and crews would be wittled down to about 25 manned aircraft for the actual mission. Training started immediately. Pilots were directed to the many small airfields in Florida which lay along the gulf of Mexico along the beaches in Florida. Crews were directed to spread out on the many available airfields surrounding the Gulf of Mexico acattering the aircraft in small groups to avoid detection. At Paige Field, the current private airfield in Fort Myers, Florida Doolittle had painted the dimensions of the Aircraft Carrier Hornet's deck. Doolittle then personally took the first B-25 off within the length of the simulated Carrier deck. Wheels were up in time with the engines purring at maximum speed. It was proven there that a B-25 could actually take off a carrier with a bomb and gasoline load needed for the long flight to the island of Japan after leaving the carrier. All planes were then flown to Oakland Army Terminal in California, loaded on board the Carrier Hornet by huge cargo lifting cranes. Secrecy was a paramount issue. When the 25 B-25 bombers were loaded the Carrier joined an escort of Navy destroyers and headed out into the Pacific Ocean. once at sea, Jimmy Doolittle announced to the aircraft crews on board that their bombing mission was headed for JAPAN. The war would be taken to the Japanese homeland which was thought to be impenetrable. SUPRISE! SUPRISE!.The rest of the story is history. Tokyo and several other Japanese cities were bombed. Some bombers with their crews were killed and or wounded. I'll leave the rest of the story to your imagination about how many survived this most important mission. Every B-25 and crew had different stories. Fear was put in the minds of the Japanese people. A huge boost of morale was gained by the American public, which was vitally concerned with the Japanese attacking US and Allied locations in the Pacific and Germany and Hitler's Army , Navy and Air Force bombing London and sending submarines to the us Atlantic coast. One of the greatest victories had been produced the the US favor by the combined ARNY, NAVY, and soon to be renamed the US AIR FORCE. The Sleeping giant had been awakened and the US Military Juggernaut had been released.on its enemies across the world. When Jimmy Doolittle got home from this mission he was promoted to General and awarded the United States highest military award, The MEDAL OF HONOR. Jimmy Doolittle is among the greatest of US Military Heros of all time. Five men of the entire Jimmy Doolittle Raiders are all left still living in the year 2012. May they always be remembered.. (James E. Shelton, Brigadier General, US Army(Retired)

A great historical based movie. One of my favorite!!!!