Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo (1944)

Very accurate rendering of Lawson's book

This movie on DVD follows remarkably well Ted Lawson's story as told in his book of the same title. For us older folks who remember World War II, there are excellent scenes of the twin engine B-25 in action. In real life Ted Lawson was injured far worse than shown in the movie, but Van Johnson captured the spirit of the man. The love scenes seem a little long for those who wanted to see more action with the airplanes and their crews. Robert Mitchum, who later became a big movie star, plays a rather small role here. Spencer Tracy plays Doolittle in a very favorable way. All considered, however, this is a well done film. September 20, 2008

Stirring Tale of True-Life Heroes

There's no question the film is framed in a very straightforward, literal way, and that the characters are somewhat hokey All-American stereotypes.

But I think to dismiss the film as simplistic is mistaken. Soon-to-be-Blacklisted screenwriter Dalton Trumbo includes some deft concepts of collective responsibility and moral tension, including not just the passage on civilian casualties, but also the exchange where the soldiers agree that that they don't hate the Japanese people.

I would also recommend this disc for the special features -- a great short on bad movie etiquette, a vintage cartoon about a bear air raid warden, and a superb 15 minute documentary on the loss of the SS Normandie. August 27, 2008

Good Wartime Movie

Most war movies actually made during WW2, are a bit too soppy and unrealistic for my liking, but this movie was quite good and it portrayed a major event during WW2 in the Pacific. Spencer Tracy did a good job, as Jimmy Doolittle and Van Johnson wasn't bad either. I don't know how Van Johnson's wife in the movie, got pregant when they where sleeping in seperate bed's?? I liked the fact that the aircraft, ships etc in the movie looked authentic. There is nothing worse in a war movie then seeing a Mustang or Trainer painted up to look like ME-109. Having said that, the Trainers made up to look like Zero's in "Tora Tora Tora" looked the part. Overall a good war movie, well worth the money. March 2, 2008

Sometimes revenge is not a dish best eaten cold.

If you are a WWII buff, you can't miss this classic. Released in 1944 long before the end of the war, Hollywood and the Army cooperated in getting this top-secret out before the public, as a morale booster. Think about it: December 7, 1941 and the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Just over four months later, on April 18, 1942, the unbelievable mission of launching 16 B-25 Mitchell bombers off of the (short) deck of the U.S.S. Hornet for the purpose of bombing Tokyo. Talk about getting even quickly! The bombs didn't do a strategic amount of damage, but the insult to the Japanese emperor and the Japanese war leadership were, as the ad states, "priceless". The action is realistic; the facts are correct; and real names and locations are utilized. February 18, 2008

thirty seconds over tokyo

wonderful movie arrived very quickly and in good condition will diffently purchase other movies in the future January 28, 2008

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