Destinazione Tokyo

This film is a bona-fide classic. Made during the height of the war, and before it was a foregone conclusion that the Allies would prevail, it shows a surprisingly detailed (if romanticized) portrayal of life in the "Silent Service". The characters are finely drawn with a craftsman director's skill, and are the archetypes for subsequent films, not derivative cartoons.

This, like all films made during the war, must be taken in context as a form of propaganda. But it is still a fine effort that produces lasting impressions. Remember that a large number of viewers in theaters had family or friends serving in the military, and must have been astonished to see how their loved ones were fighting the war. While many technical details were abstracted for obvious security reasons, there are sufficiently accurate scenarios to satisfy. The appendectomy performed by a pharmacists mate with no surgical training was a real incident adapted for the screen.

All in all, a memorable epic which, like Casablanca, tells a story from a sense of urgency we cannot recreate today. Invaluable, and deserving of a good DVD transfer.

Have not seen this film in years and it was a great experience seeing this film and the great veteran actors who made this into a great WWII story. Cary Grant, (Capt. Cassidy) plays the commander who manages to take his submarine right into the backyard of the Japanese Nation. John Garfield, (Wolf) plays a great role who charms the crew with his tales of all the women he met along with a great deal of exaggeration. Alan Hale, (Cookie Wainwright) was a cook on the submarine and was able to give a great deal of comedy to his role as the chef. This film will keep you on the edge of your seat when the sub comes under fire from the Japanese Destroyer's while one of the crew is having surgery by a man who knows nothing about appendicitis. Dane Clark, (Tin Can) gave a great supporting role in this film and this film started a great career for Dane in Hollywood. Great film, don't miss it, you can see this film over and over.

Here is a great small war movie propelled with the talents of star Cary Grant and a fine supporting cast to boot. Not a major classic by any means but a delight that stands up to repeat viewing. This film was made in the general spirit of great 40's films with it's action/comedy pacing, there's hardly a dull moment. The film feels true to the spirit of the times it was made as well, no false notes struck here. As a footnote, I've noticed a few earlier reviewers noted the presence of "The Skipper from Gilligans Island Alan Hale"...sorry, that's not so. That man is Alan Hale Sr, a very talented actor in his own right who's the FATHER of Alan Hale Jr of Gilligan's Island fame(It's a bit confusing because they both were known as "Alan Hale" and they both looked very similar.) Pick it up for cheap and add it to your collection, you'll be glad you did!

I saw it at age seven, and the impact on me was no different than on adults. We struck back at the sneaking enemy. We were on the road to revenge for Pearl Harbor. Aside from all that, here is what I think today. Cary Grant was the perfect hero for us. He was calm and determined. He was real. Then there was John Garfield who spoke for all of us when he branded Japan as a police state. Dane Clark was very good, if somewhat emotional And Charlie of the Angels, John Forsythe, made his debut and he too was good. There was some propaganda, but really not that much. The movie demonstrated the perfect resolve of the USA to destroy the "Japs" as we called them in wartime. It is still a good flick.

Great propaganda film for WWII. However, can anyone really believe that Cary Grant is from Oklahoma City? Since the Doolittle raid was in April of 1942, the movie has to begin on Christmas day 1941 - a little less that three weeks after the US got into the war. But the Captain says that this is their 5th tour. Cookie says that the previous Christmas (1940) they spent getting depth charged. Unless they decided to get into the war before it was declared. By the way, the actor who played Cookie is not the Alan Hale who went on to become the Skipper in Gilligan's Island. Alan Hale died in 1950. The Skipper was his son, Alan Hale, jr.