The Battle of Midway (1942)

The Japanese attack on Midway in June 1942, filmed as it happened.

Director:

John Ford (as Lt. Cmdr. John Ford U.S.N.R.)

Writers:

John Ford, Dudley Nichols

Stars:

Henry Fonda, Jane Darwell, Logan Ramsey

Won 1 Oscar.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Henry Fonda	...	Narrator (voice)
Jane Darwell	...	Narrator (voice)
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Logan Ramsey	...	Self
James Roosevelt	...	Self - US Army Major (as Major Roosevelt)

Storyline

On June 4-6, 1942, a large Japanese force attempted to capture Midway Island in the North Pacific, but was defeated by U.S. forces with a loss ratio of 4:1 in favor of the Americans. On hand was a crew of naval photographers directed by John Ford; their documentary footage was edited together with narration by Hollywood actors. The film covers the attack on Midway, some limited aerial footage, the search for survivors, and aftermath of the battle.

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Plot Keywords:

aircraft carrier | dive bomber | naval battle | battle | year 1942 | 

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Genres:

Documentary | Short | War

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Did You Know?

Trivia

On the opening credit screen that reads "Photographed by the U.S. Navy...", above is shown the rating badge of a Photographer's Mate, Second Class.

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Quotes

Narrator: Say, is that one of them Flying Fortresses?

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Connections

Referenced in Jeopardy!: Episode #33.57 (2016)

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Soundtracks

Red River Valley
(uncredited)
Traditional
Played in the score

User Reviews

Actual combat documentary during WW II

This documentary, "The Battle of Midway," is a short film shot during the actual combat on June 4, 1942. The Battle lasted from June 3 to June 7, but the air attack on Midway Island was on June 4. This shows the bombing of the U.S. airfield and positions on Midway. It also shows the defenders in action, and one Japanese plane trailing smoke after it was hit by ground fire.

What is most striking about this film is the concussion of the actual bombs, which have a horizontal spreading impact with huge destruction. What one sees in most movies in which battle scenes are staged, is ground explosions that blow up laterally and dissipate in the air with much less near damage.

Hollywood's John Ford was a Navy officer who directed this and other films for the Navy during WW II. Henry Fonda is the principal narrator. There isn't much by way of aerial combat or Japanese aircraft pictured here. Other Armed Forces photography would capture that. But this documentary earns its stars for the men who shot the film while under heavy enemy fire.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 September 1942 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Battle of Midway

Filming Locations:

Midway Islands

Company Credits

Production Co:

United States Navy

Technical Specs

Runtime:

18 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1