Platicsco
Good story, Not enough for a whole film
JinRoz
For all the hype it got I was expecting a lot more!
Acensbart
Excellent but underrated film
Chris O'Connor
This movie, produced by Robert Montgomery, a navy veteran of WW2 who acted in the excellent film "They Were Expendable," is a fine story; but it just is not true. It conflates several battles into one, a not too terrible violation of the real history; but then moves the killing of Adm. Yamamoto six months earlier than it actually happened. I love Cagney, and he does well in this film, but it is all in the service of a lie. Watch this film for entertainment, and for the very effective voice-overs when new characters are introduced, describing their civilian careers and their ultimate end: dead, wounded, or survivor. The music is very good, too. STILL, THE MOVIE IS A LIE!!!!!!
donwords
A look at the senior officers in Halsey's fleet and under his command. However, it was strangely uninvolving, since we knew that the U.S. won the war, won the battle for Guadalcanal, and that Halsey survived the war and retired a four star admiral. What almost ruined the movie for me was the too reverent chorus that played throughout the movie, which would have more suitable in a movie about Jesus Christ or one of the saints. The wa wa chorus was actually intrusive at times and I found myself grimacing when it started up.
williwaw
James Cagney is perfect as Admiral Halsey a Naval hero of the Pacific theatre in World War II. James Cagney a real movie star had immense presence and that happens when one has a real Star in the cast. The movie modestly produced ( vs. today's over produced extravaganza's) by Robert Montgomery and James Cagney's indie production company the well thought of Cagney Productions is a fine film, and I enjoyed seeing so many fine character actors play valiant men who gave their lives for our Country.James Cagney was wrapping up his career and soon retired, and when retired, he refused all offers to return including to star in My Fair Lady. Warner used to call Cagney The Great Refuser for the roles he turned down during his legendary days at Warner Bros.Jack Warner wanted Cary Grant, and James Cagney to join Audrey Hepburn, but both stars refused.
Neil Doyle
The decision not to show any battle scenes is what prevents THE GALLANT HOURS from really coming to life as a war drama. All of the scenes showing the men in command who have to make the big decisions are extremely well done, but when the film is over there's a feeling that something was lacking. At least at some point in the story, some footage of men during battle would have made the Halsey story more gripping.It's presented almost like a history lesson. The factual account of events following the Japanese successful attack on Pearl Harbor and leading up to events at Guadalcanal, borders on being dry but is saved by the crisp performances of the male cast and especially JAMES CAGNEY as Admiral "Bull" Halsey. Cagney puts aside all his famed mannerisms and plays the role with feeling and intensity, getting across the notion that being a commander during wartime is an extremely harrowing experience when so many lives are at stake.The cast is mostly unfamiliar to me, with RICHARD JAECKEL and DENNIS WEAVER being the sole exceptions. Jaeckel is highly effective in a brief role as a man who is losing his fighting spirit until he gets a pep talk from Halsey and Weaver is pleasantly cast as Halsey's pilot and aide.A thinking man's war film, it's a bit overlong at one hour and 55 minutes and without any actual battle footage. It's directed in competent style by Robert Montgomery but the Roger Wagner chorale music is a bit overdone in an attempt to heighten the drama.
