An epic retelling of the attack on Pearl Harbor and its immediate aftermath which focuses on the effects the attack has on the lives of individuals caught up in the ensuing chaos and brings the emotional issues of its characters into sharp relief. John Wayne delivers an excellent performance as a Captain nearing the end of his career who, faced with redundancy in action, looks to improving other areas of his life, particularly his relationship with his son. Kirk Douglas sees the event as a chance to rise above his troubled personal life and find glory in self sacrifice and a brief but captivating Henry Fonda performance gives a human face to the American reaction to the attack. As a war film it has more in common with Mallick's 'The Thin Red Line' than say, ahem, 'Pearl Harbour'.