The battle of midway was one of the most intense, bloody battles fought between the us and japanese miltary forces. The iconic american film director and mythmaker is famed for frontier epics, but his heart was. The combat scenes were spliced together from john fords 1942 battle of midway. Shows activities before, during, and after the attack. Thanks to periscopefilm for uploading this classic film. The film features an international cast of stars including charlton heston, henry fonda, james coburn, glenn ford, ed nelson, hal holbrook, toshiro. Midway is a 2019 american war film based on the attack on pearl harbor and the subsequent battle of midway during world war ii. Famous director john ford was stationed at midway island. John fords battle of midway dvd 1942 award winning documentary from world war ii. Midway tells the story of this historic june battle where a japanese carrier force, in an attempt to occupy midway island and lure the american fleet to destruction, was meet valiently by us forces operating off of three aircraft carriers and numerous escort ships. Reiner bajo the first midway movie was a documentary shot by hollywood director john ford with cameramen jack mackenzie, jr. This is the original 1942 documentary about the battle of midway directed by john ford.
Reel 1, marines parade on the island and bombers prepare for a flight. Along with guadalcanal, and new guinea, japan was stopped and the long road to victory was begun. Media in category the battle of midway 1942 documentary the following 26 files are in this category, out of 26 total. It is a montage of color footage of the battle of midway with voice overs of various narrators, including johnny governali, donald crisp, henry fonda, and jane darwell. Directed by roland emmerich, who produced the film with harald kloser, and written by wes tooke, the film features an ensemble cast, including ed skrein, patrick wilson, luke evans, aaron eckhart, nick jonas, mandy. The battle of midway famously shows how the film itself was jarred inside the camera as a result of the blasts occurring around ford and mckenzie.
Ford shot much of the footage for this world war ii film. Learn more about this statesponsored film in the docuseries five came back. John fords the battle of midway is a propaganda movie. War, talked about john ford and the 18 minute documentary read more.
The battle of midway 1942 cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. Elliot carlson talked about the key role played by u. The director is john ford and what he creates with this short documentary is pure hollywood war propaganda. The battle of midway was the beginning of the end for japan.
And it wouldnt be a john ford movie without some of the most vivid combat cinematography you have ever seen, a touching and dramatic. June 2, 2017 codebreaking and the battle of midway. Turner classic movies presents the greatest motion pictures of all time from one of the largest film libraries in the world. Directed by john ford on a crappy 16mm handheld camera, with audio that sounds as though its gone through a washing machine, this short offers a unique look at one of the wars fiercest battles.
John ford, usn naval history magazine april 20 volume 27. John ford is widely regarded as one of americas greatest film directors. A story of hollywood and the second world war, talked about john ford and the 18 minute documentary he made for the u. As it turns out, midways bravura john ford moment was. The battle of midway features frontline footagein colorof that pivotal clash. John fords the battle of midway a film made by accident. Naval academy after high school, he eventually maneuvered his way into a commission at age 40, and served in world war ii and korea. Ford s film unit grew to 15 crews with over 200 officers and enlisted personnel, and operations around the. Legendary film maker thought he was going to midway to. Prepare yourself to decipher fact vs fiction in roland.
It is a montage of color footage of the battle of midway with voice overs of. Midways bravura john ford moment was understated deadline. When the base is attacked, ford was shooting film from atop a power plant and actual took a shrapnel wound. The battle of midway is a stirring, beautiful, and poignant 1942 american documentary film short directed by john ford.
The film is comprised mostly of authentic footage from the battle, with. With bluster and bravado, john ford helped birth modern documentary film in the famous battle. Find video, photos, forums, blogs and shop for some of. Ford and his cameras were present at midway when the climactic battle was fought during early june of 1942. Find john fords battle of midway dvd 1942 award winning documentary from world war ii. The battle of midway 1942 the battle of midway 1942. The battle of midway is an english movie directed by john ford released in the year 1942. This was the third of a fivepart look at hollywood directors who made films for the u. This film is a straightforward retelling of the events in the first months of the war in the pacific beginning with pearl harbor and culminating in the battle of midway june 1942. This was not a matter of luck, but extreme skill, perseverance, and. On hand was a crew of naval photographers directed by john ford. The battle of midway 1942 documentary directed by john ford. The battle of midway is an 18 minute short account of one of the most infamous battles of the pacific theatre. This documentary is actual footage of the battle of midway filmed and directed by john ford in the heat of the battle.
Director john ford captures combat footage of the battle of midway. Ford served as commander john ford, usnr and head of a photographic unit for the navy department during world war ii. The battle of midway presented a victory in vivid color to an. John fords the battle of midway 1942 digitally restored color. Japans history since the surrender in 1945, shows a good way to restoring japans place in the world. John ford was wounded by shrapnel while filming the battle and awarded the purple heart for his service. The film covers the attack on midway, some limited aerial footage, the search for survivors, and aftermath of the battle. While some of the film effects appear to have been created after the fact, ford used them to communicate the confusion and chaos of battle to american audiences.
Fords short documentary film on the battle was one of americas first. On the japanese aerial attack on midway island and u. There is a storyline that even includes the women at. The resulting short, the battle of midway, won one of four documentary oscars for 1942. Following six months of bad news that began with japans attack on pearl harbor, which kicks off the film, midway was the first significant step in a threeyear campaign to defeat japan. The japanese attack on midway in june 1942, filmed as it happened. I am in command of the field photographic branch of the office of strategic.
The 1976 version featured henry fonda, who had served in the navy for three years during the war and was also one of the narrators of john fords midway documentary, as nimitz. Winners best picture winners golden globes emmys san diego comiccon new york comiccon sundance film festival toronto intl film festival awards central festival central. Midway, released in the united kingdom as battle of midway, is a 1976 american technicolor war film directed by jack smight and produced by walter mirisch from a screenplay by donald s. The battle of midway marked the first decisive victory for american forces in the pacific theater during wwii. With henry fonda, jane darwell, logan ramsey, james roosevelt. John ford was on the spot to record this dramatic event. The battle of midway, directed by john ford, provides a relatively. The japanese attack on midway in june 1942, filmed as it. His fame as the director of western movies notwithstanding, the hollywood icon had a lifelong love affair with matters maritime, specifically the u. It shows american heroism overcoming great obstacles while tugging at heartstrings by focusing on the ideals of mother, family and the hometown boy next door fighting bravely to defend america. This short piece of film shows parts of, as the title already tells us, of the battle of midway, and some moments after it. The battle of midway received the academy award for best documentary in 1942 because of its stark and harrowing footage of an actual world war ii battle.
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