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John Wayne, Kirk Douglas, Patricia Neal, Tom Tryon, Dana Andrews ... see more see more... , Paula Prentiss , Brandon De Wilde , Henry Fonda , Stanley Holloway , Jill Haworth , Burgess Meredith , Franchot Tone , Patrick O'Neal , Carroll O'Connor , Slim Pickens , Barbara Bouchet , Hugh O'Brian , James Mitchum , George Kennedy , Bruce Cabot , Tod Andrews , Stewart Moss , Richard Le Pore , Chet Stratton , Dort Clark , Larry Hagman , Soo Yong , Jerry Goldsmith

In Harm's Way, based on James Bassett's novel Harm's Way, has enough plot in it for four movies or a good miniseries (when it was shown on network television in prime time, it was broken into two very... read more read more... full nights). On the morning of December 7, 1941, a heavy cruiser, commanded by Captain Rockwell Torrey (John Wayne), and the destroyer Cassidy, under acting commander Lieutenant (jg) William McConnell (Thomas Tryon), are two of a handful of ships that escape the destruction of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Under Torrey's command, the tiny fleet of a dozen ships carries out its orders to seek out and engage the enemy fleet. But lack of fuel and a daring maneuver (but tragic miscalculation) by Torrey causes his ship to be seriously damaged. He's relieved of command and assigned to a desk job routing convoys in the shakeup following the attack, and his exec and oldest friend, Commander Paul Eddington (Kirk Douglas), is reassigned after a brawl, the result of his anger after identifying the body of his wife (Barbara Bouchet) who was killed during the attack while cavorting with an Marine Corps officer. Torrey's shore assignment leads him to reestablish contact on a very hostile level with his estranged son, Ensign Jere Torrey (Brandon de Wilde), from his long-ended marriage; he establishes a romantic relationship with Lt. Maggie Haynes (Patricia Neal), a navy nurse; and he also befriends Commander Egan Powell (Burgess Meredith), a special-intelligence officer. Partly as a result of his contact with Powell, Torrey is chosen by the commander of the Pacific Fleet (Henry Fonda) to salvage an essential operation called Sky Hook, which has become bogged down through the indecisiveness of its area commander, Vice Admiral Broderick (Dana Andrews). Promoted to rear admiral, with Eddington -- who'd been rotting away on a shore assignment, drunk most of the time -- assigned as his chief of staff, Torrey gets Sky Hook rolling and finally finds his purpose in this war, gaining the belated admiration of his son in the process. Eddington is similarly motivated but is still haunted by the violent, ultimately self-destructive demons that blighted his marriage and his life -- he is particularly attracted to a young nurse, Annalee Dohrn (Jill Haworth), not knowing that she is already involved romantically with Jere Torrey. Meanwhile, McConnell survives the sinking of his ship and is ordered to join Torrey's staff. Matters all come to a head when the Japanese begin a counter-offensive to Torrey's planned troop landing. And just at the time Torrey needs his men at their best, Eddington's violence and rage boil to the surface in a way that will destroy him and blight both men's lives. In a final attempt at redemption, Eddington provides Torrey with the information he needs to set up a battle that he has at least a chance of winning, pitting his small task group of destroyers and cruisers against the Japanese task force led by the Yamato, the largest battleship ever built. ~ Bruce Eder, Rovi

Flixster Users

80% liked it

5,873 ratings

Critics

40% liked it

10 critics

Unrated, 2 hr. 45 min.

Directed by: Otto Preminger

Release Date: January 1, 1965

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DVD Release Date: May 22, 2001

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Stats: 184 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (184)

  • jjnxn
    August 16, 2010
    jjnxn
    Solid WWII drama with a most impressive cast even with many future stars in small roles. Some of the special effects are dated and obvious now but for the time frame were effective. John Wayne and Patricia Neal are unexpectedly quite well matched as a couple with her prickliness ... read moreand his laconic style playing well off each other. The picture flows well considering it's extended length, moving from one set piece to the next without a great deal of wasted exposition.
  • deano
    March 30, 2008
    deano
    John Wayne leads the United States Navy into a monumental struggle against the Japanese. Kirk Douglas is the anti-hero who stirs up a fuss. The ships are models and the battles are conducted in a bathtub.
  • broadwaymo
    April 7, 2007
    broadwaymo
    "Old Rock of Ages, we've got ourselves another war. A gut bustin', mother-lovin' Navy war."
  • bigbpdx
    December 12, 2010
    bigbpdx
    This is absolutely one of my all time favorite John Wayne movies. Partly because he does not play his usual image, and explores a deeper character role in this movie than in most of his others. Also I think that although fiction, it still probably gives a much more realistic and ... read moreless glamorous view of what it might have been like to be one of these characters in real life during WW2. I've watched it at least 6 times and I am sure I will watch it many more times.... I love this movie!!!!!
  • GeorgeBailey88
    May 29, 2008
    GeorgeBailey88
    Somewhat of a sappy war drama against the Pearl Harbor backdrop. Incredible cast of talent but simply not a great war film. I feel as though it tried to be From Here to Eternity and only came half way.

    Kirk Douglas portrays the most interesting character in the story but the ... read moreDuke gives another, stiff neck performance. I like Otto Preminger alot as a film maker but war epics were not his area of expertise. This was shot with great precision as the case in most of Premingers films but it was about forty minutes too long.
  • sfarquhar1
    May 28, 2008
    sfarquhar1
    very good john wayne he was great so was kirt douglas loved the naval fighting scenes. great special effects for its time a must see for all war buffs and wayne buffs
  • manly500usa
    February 18, 2008
    manly500usa
    Captain Rockwell Torrey and Commander Paul Eddington are part of the Navy's effort to recuperate from, and retaliate for, the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Torrey is romantically involved with nurse Maggie Haynes, and also tries to restore his relationship with his estranged s... read moreon, Jeremiah, a young Naval officer.
  • indixiesheart
    July 9, 2007
    indixiesheart
    GREAT PIC.. The un friendship between kirk and johns character helped the movie... AND the actress..I can see her face..BUt cannot remember her name..PATricia was fist name I believe... Johns love in the movie..
  • MovieGuruDude72
    June 28, 2007
    MovieGuruDude72
    Aside from being almost too schmaltzy to be enjoyable, not a bad movie. One of the 1,147 war movies that uses the same battle footage with different angles to make it look new. The model boats in this movie look like toys.
  • jaynyca1
    June 3, 2007
    jaynyca1
    This is the story of how the attack on Pearl Harbor and the aftermath after is seen throught hte eyes of Otto Perminger of "Stalag 17" fame. There allittle in it for every one, though.

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Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy
December 12, 2006
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

Thematically, this WWII drama is a typical John Wayne fare--the Duke imparts lessons of manhood and honor--but technically, it's an atypical Preminger movie, slow-paced and shapeless. Full Review

Geoff Andrew
February 9, 2006
Geoff Andrew, Time Out

It goes on and on, the slowness exacerbated by Preminger's customary long takes and by the endless parade of star cameos. Full Review

Dennis Schwartz
September 28, 2005
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

A colossal bore. Full Review

Steve Crum
January 2, 2005
Steve Crum, Kansas City Kansan

Epic WWII production plays like star-studded soap opera at times.

Ryan Cracknell
November 5, 2003
Ryan Cracknell, Apollo Guide

Preminger seems happier with long transition shots of the Hawaiian Islands and military class ships than it does with creating rhythm in the film's narrative. Full Review

March 26, 2009
Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

Bosley Crowther
May 9, 2005
Bosley Crowther, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Chuck O'Leary
October 9, 2005
Chuck O'Leary, Fantastica Daily

No review available.

Robin Clifford
November 19, 2004
Robin Clifford, Reeling Reviews

No review available.

Frank Swietek
March 24, 2004
Frank Swietek, One Guy's Opinion

No review available.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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In Harm's Way Trivia

  • He's a Texas Ranger, Has to take up duty of being a baby sitter for five perky cheerleaders. But he finds out it's not easy to keep the uncontrollable coeds in line and out of harm's way.  Answer »
  • In which ovie did a bunch of cheerleaders witness a murder and had to live with a police officer to make sure they were out of harms way?  Answer »
  • Which character in "In Harm's Way" (1965), rapes a nurse on the beach?  Answer »
  • Franchot Tone and Slim Pickens were in this film about naval officers, Pearl Harbor and WWII.   Answer »
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