which makes Otto Preminger's In Harm's Way even better. I've loved IHW for over four decades, mainly because of the straightforward, solid, and emotionally satisfying storytelling. I'll leave the synopsis of the movie to the other writers. Here, I just want to say thank you to all involved with this visually beautiful, patriotic morality tale of naval warfare in the Pacific Theater of World War II. There's something very satisfying with the combination of military history, political intrigue, love, lust-for-power, and Preminger's elegant use of black and white film. Bring aboard John Wayne at his most pensive and introspective, Kirk Douglas at his most dashing and tortured, Patricia Neal projecting a middle-aged sexiness that I couldn't even begin to appreciate the first time I saw IHW (1972), and a slew of great, great secondary performances, and the viewer may begin to get a little short of breath. How does one movie have so much going for it, and nobody's ever heard of it?Side note: It flopped at the box office. Oh, well.Even Jerry Goldsmith, a composer best known for Patton, gives IHW's score a richness that compliments the dreamy, creamy, and colorful cinematography. There are so many reasons to love In Harm's Way that a fan can and should forgive its many flaws. There are technical quibbles sprinkled throughout the film that make a nitpicker like me cringe, then shrug. And the most glaring flaw in the movie is the use of large models for the climactic sea battle between a Japanese force and Wayne's numerically inferior battle group. Critics have panned the whole movie for the non-CGI phoniness of the battle.The critics are wrong. Even Wayne and Douglas, who fought against the inclusion of the battle with Preminger, to know avail, were wrong. The battle gives In Harm's Way an "old school" feel, beyond the B&W and the fact that most of the actors and actresses and crew have passed on. In Harm's Way is my favorite war movie. Soap suds and slickeries and idiosyncrasies--and all those exploding car-length warships-- can't take away the fact that this is a very satisfying, well-acted, and grown- up story.

Even though it is 167 minutes long, how can anyone get jaded from watching this movie about the battle at sea only shortly after Pearl Harbor being attacked on 12/07/41? Shortly after the beginning of the movie is when that infamous yet unforgettable moment in history took place, and there is a sea battle toward the end of the movie. The movie is definitely star-studded with one of the most outstanding galaxy of stars ever amassed. John Wayne as Admiral Rockwell "Rocky" Torrey is the best Otto Preminger could have chosen for that role as a man dedicated to fighting passionately at sea. Kirk Douglas was a "perfect" pick for Commander Paul Eddington, a man you wanted to kill because of his mean, hostile spirit and, much more than this, because of some of the harmful things he did to others. The beautiful Paula Prentiss made a great acting accomplishment as Bev McConnell, and Tom Tryon seemed to click well with her as her husband Lieutenant William "Mac" McConnell. Patricia Neal was very appealing as the nurse Lieutenant Maggie Haynes. Brandon DeWilde was consummate as Ensign Jeremiah "Jere" Torrey. Slim Pickins, as CPO Culpepper was his same country-boy self, and the late very pretty English actress Jill Haworth was as adorable as adorable could be as Ensign Annalee Dorne. The movie was not simply a war drama, but there was just focus on the feelings and/or struggles of the characters. Maggie Haynes was so much in love with "Rocky" Torrey, and wondered if theirs would be a lasting relationship. Ensign Jere Torrey was the son of Admiral Torrey, but he was embittered with his father since Rocky had abandoned his family when Jere was only a year old. And too, there was a point when the relationship between Jere and Ensign Dorne was somewhat stormy. Bev McConnell was a maudlin worrier about her husband. Yes, there was introspection on feelings in this dramatic feat. The main thing I didn't like about this movie is that it was in black-and-white. The Pacific Ocean would have been more drawing in color, naturally. But overall, it was one of Preminger's best, a superb enactment of the book by the same name: the book was written by James Bassett. The music score by Jerry Goldsmith was somewhat haunting, but there was something about it I personally liked. Again, this story which focuses on people's individual struggles, as well as on war at sea, is not a bit boring. Paramount should be proud.

Mostly a soap opera masquerading as a war film. Kirk Douglas' character is second billed and he dies as a hero right after he rapes a woman, and nothing is mentioned about it ever again except that the girl he raped commits suicide afterwards, yet Douglas continues to be respected by his Navy colleagues.Not a standard action film and the melodramatic scenes are likely to put you to sleep. Wayne is his usual gruff self... too bad he wasn't given much to do except ride in a jeep from one location to another so he could stand around some more. Pretentiously directed by Otto Preminger. Somewhat peculiar casting, primarily by Hollywood's better known faces (Burgess Meredith, Carroll O'Conner, etc.). Could have been a more exciting film with a better script and a lot less bugle oil about who's dating who.

A largely forgotten entry from 1965 this has now turned up on DVD and at Thrift-Shop prices had to be good for at least one viewing given the names involved. The 'best-selling' novel on which the screenplay was based has somehow eluded me unlike say, From Here To Eternity, The Young Lions, The Caine Mutiny, The Naked And The Dead, Battle Cry, etc but we mustn't begrudge Hollyood its flacks. It turns out to be fairly enjoyable and entertaining with Duke Wayne well up to heading a starry cast, some of whom - Franchot Tone, Hank Fonda, Burgess Meredith - had established themselves before Duke and others - Kirk Douglas, Patricia Neal, Brandon de Wilde, Paula Prentiss, sometime later, making for a nice melange. Preminger keeps a firm if fairly dull hand on the wheel and a fair time is had by all.