A Solid and and Enjoyable WWII Film!
In Harm's way is a rather interesting WWII film, to say the least. Released in 1965 but done in Black-&-White, the movie has a feel and look of a film much older. Although the beginning uses the historical bombing of Pearl Harbor as it's catalyst it is a fictional story.

Based on the bestselling novel by James Bassett, "In Harm's Way" follows a group of Navel officers and nurses in the early years of the war. Although the movie follows the book well it does tend to short-cut the plot somewhat. John Wayne plays Captain Rockwell (Rock) Torrey who is relieved of his command of his cruiser for taking two torpedos while ignoring standard navel "zig-zagging" policy. He ends up in a dead-end job of routing convoys. The story takes him from dispair to redemption as he earns a promotion to Rear Admiral and is assigned to take over a stalled offensive in the South Pacific. Although this is considered a "War" film it's really more about the characters and how they overcome their situations. Director Otto Preminger takes the time to develop all the main roles into very complex people.

What makes this movie great is the cast. Besides Wayne, Kirk Douglas plays Paul Eddington, a navel officer with many demons to overcome. The resolution of his character is very surprising for a 1965 film. Patricia Neal plays Maggie, a nurse who becomes involved with Rock and helps him overcome his dispair. Brandon de Wilde (Shane) plays the son Rock abandoned at age 4 who is now an Ensign in the Navy. Other notable actors: Burgess Meredith, Tom Tryon, Paula Prentess, Carroll O'Conner, George Kennedy, and in a small role, Henry Fonda.

What makes me rate this as four stars instead of five is the special effects. Even for 1965 some of the explosions and models look very fake. It's a small distraction while watching an exciting and/or intense scene, but it's there none-the-less. Although the attack on Pearl Harbor is done well and looks realistic, the final navel battle between Torrey's ships and the Japanese fleet is actually extremely unrealistic and fake looking. Again, even for 1965 standards. That is the only issue I have with "In Harm's Way."

But if you can get past the average special effects like I did you will find a great movie. I would highly recommend this to anyone who is looking for a strong storyline with great acting. In my opinion it's one of the top 10 WWII movies of all time!

Probably The Last Great Black & White Movie Made
I am a war movie buff. I have seen them all. Heck, I have seen Patton a million times but I just went and bought Patton in Blu-Ray. And by the way, the Patton transfer is the best older movie transfer I have yet seen, it looks as good as the day it opened at the movies.

Anyway, I really have seen most of the great WWII movies made in the 60s and 70s except for this one. I finally saw it today. I hesitated seeing it for years (I am in my 40s) not because of any bad reviews but because its in Black and White. And now I regret not seeing this movie decades ago because it is really a great film.

Many reviews here have gone over the plot and actors. I want to say that this movie, epic really, will satisfy those that love war movies. After awhile you wont notice its in B&W. It starts like no war movie I have recall seeing, a party with a drunk beauty making a scene. That scene pulls you in, its not the usual war movie. Even the usual love sub-plots are a little more complex and unusual then most movies of the era. The battle at the end of the movie is pretty suspenseful and although the effects are only a notch or 2 above a Godzilla movie, they still do the job. One of the cool things about the movie is the end credits which are shots of violent seas. Great movie, if you like the war movies of the era, do not overlook this gem.

"Barbara Bouchet, a new face and a new body" Otto Preminger
Right off you know it is a John Wayne movie. It is bound to have some John Wayne formula and actors that he works with in other movies. Add to this a cast not just of names, but actors that have a following in their won right. Now you have some great material to work with.

Throw in Director Otto Preminger, who directed "Laura" (1944) (see my review) and many other fine films.

Add an intriguing story. It almost seems like two films. The first film depicts lifer just before the war before the war with relationships surrounding navy life and the Eddingtons (Kirk Douglas, and Barbara Bouchet). The second film is after the war gets going with too many subplots to name. However I appreciated the relationship as Captain Rockwell Torrey (John Wayne) rediscovers and builds a relationship with his son, Ensign Jeremiah 'Jere' Torrey (Brandon De Wilde).


I do not want to leave you with some idea that this is some sort of artsy movie. It really is a war movie with "fast ships going in harm's way."

On DVD versions you get the entire DVD goodie list that make DVD's work while. This includes (Original making-of In Harm's Way)

However with the latest download craze we will see if you get the extras.



Harm's Way by James Bassett
The Sea Chase

In Harm/s Way
If you like all John Wayne's films, here is one for you. I didn't think it was one his better ones however.

Typically overblown, overlong, self important Preminger film...
This is an OK film. I have to admit I'm not a huge Otto Preminger fan, as I find many of his films boring and very long. I love epic films, but many of his works seem padded. This is one such film. It is not completely bad. It has some very good scenes, well stage battle scenes, great cinematography, but it also has a very episodic feel to it. It doesn't flow like the greatest of epics. That episodic, sloppy feel is also evident in Preminger's Exodus as well. It's almost like Preminger said "I must be taken seriously. I have to make a long film".

Another complaint. The film opens up on a very drunk blonde dancing very provocatively (a strange way of starting a WWII film). It turns out she's the wife of a Navy man, and she gets killed in the next scene. She was also featured in the trailer, which makes me think that Otto is exploiting this young woman (who pretty much disappeared after this film). Preminger was a master at marketing his films as "important", but more often than not, the hype didn't match the quality of the film. The 2 films of his I liked were Anatomy of a Murder and The Man with the Golden Arm. They were both important films (especially the latter one), and they are both excellent. In Harm's Way isn't like that. The film is watchable, but I remember pausing it quite a bit while watching it and checking the running time on the DVD. There are many better WWII films out there, so you can skip this one. It's not particularly bad, but it ain't good.