Tora! Tora! Tora!

A dual-perspective, meticulously detailed account of the events leading to the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, alternating between Japanese naval planning and American military and diplomatic failures to heed warning signs. The film culminates in an extensive, procedurally accurate recreation of the attack itself.

Japan launched a surprise carrier-based air attack on the US Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941, crippling battleships and killing over 2,400 Americans, bringing the United States into the war.

Widely regarded as one of the most historically accurate war films made, produced with extensive American and Japanese military consultation and archival research.

A carrier strike force attacked the United States Pacific Fleet at anchor, bringing America into the war.

Two waves of aircraft from six carriers sank or disabled eight battleships and destroyed much of the island's air strength. The American carriers were at sea, and the fuel storage and repair facilities were left largely intact.

Directed by Richard Fleischer / Toshio Masuda / Kinji Fukasaku

Cast: Martin Balsam, Sô Yamamura, Jason Robards, E.G. Marshall

Positioned at November – 7 December 1941 within the Attack on Pearl Harbor phase of the war, as part of the Pearl Harbor attack. This is entry 46 of 150 in the chronological archive.

• Pearl Harbor
• Japan
• surprise attack
• intelligence failure
• docudrama

• 

  Pearl Harbor

  7 December 1941 – 18 April 1942

• 

  In Harm's Way

  December 1941 – 1943

• 

  From Here to Eternity

  Summer 1941 – 7 December 1941

• 

  Wake Island

  December 8–23, 1941

• 

  They Were Expendable

  December 1941 – April 1942

• 

  So Proudly We Hail!

  December 1941 – May 1942