Lest We Forget........

Rating: 10/10 (27 May 2002)

A magnificantly produced and directed film, highly recommended to see especially on DVD.It is a fact that in 1941 a attack was launched on the US base of Pearl Harbor, and this film correctly in my view portrays the surprise nature of that reality. Interwoven into the history of that attack is the story of the friendship and ultimate love and sacrifice between two boyhood friends. I find this picture compelling and brilliant and am mystified why so many "critics" thought otherwise. Done with more gusto, enthusiasm and style than Titanic all the characters come across as interesting human beings and giving, as appropriate, humourous or dramatic performances. And the violent scenes are spectacularly good though horrific.Where this film rates so highly in my respectful view is that it can stand alone as explaining the surprise nature of what is Pearl Harbor, independent from the love story and vice versa. Further, the crux of this movie in post September 11 retrospect is about the failure of intelligence, or perhaps the failure to heed intelligence reports. Well done to the film-makers, please ignore the critics, you have a 10 out of 10 from me!!! -rbrb.