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<i>Tora! Tora! Tora! </i> (1970) is a major Hollywood motion picture depicting the Japanese attack on the US naval base at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. The Japanese air force attacked the US Fleet at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, the Pacific's most important American naval base in the Pacific. The Japanese destroyed a significant number of American vessels , and in the process, some 2000 US service personnel were killed. The attack on Pearl Harbor changed the history of the world. It provoked America into declaring war on Japan and soon the US was also at war with the other Axis powers, Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany. Tora! Tora! Tora! is a Japanese-American epic that dramatizes the attack on Pearl Harbor and sought to be as historically accurate as possible. The film was directed by the American director Richard Fleischer and the Japanese duo of Toshio Masuda and Kanji Fukasaku.

Unlike other It provoked America into declaring war on Japan, and soon the US was also at war movies of with the time other Axis powers, Italy and indeed since the motion picture did not seek an all-star castGermany. Rather it selected wellTora! Tora! Tora! is a Japanese-established and respected actors such as Jason Robards and Joseph Cotton, so not to distract from the historical accuracy of American epic that dramatizes the film and to make it more realistic. The screenplay was based attack on the research Pearl Harbor and books of the military historian Ladislas Farago. The production team took great pains seeks to be as historically accurate as it could. Some of the technical advisors had been involved in various stages of the events at Pearl Harbor in 1941possible. The film was also committed to providing both an directed by the American director Richard Fleischer and the Japanese perspective duo of Toshio Masuda and wanted to avoid a glorification of US military powerKanji Fukasaku.

The film was Unlike other war movies of the time, the motion picture did not seek an all-star cast. Rather, it selected well- received established and respected actors such as Jason Robards and Joseph Cotton to make it more realistic. The screenplay was panned by based on the critics who claimed that it was overlong research and tedious. It was a massive hit in Japan, where the audiences liked the sympathetic portrayal books of the Japanesemilitary historian Ladislas Farago. The film is named after production team took great pains to be as accurate as it could. Some of the Japanese code name for technical advisors had been involved in various stages of the assault on events at Pearl Harbor. Tora means ‘surprise’ or ‘lightening strike’ in the Japanese language1941. The movie remains very popular film was also committed to this day, while not considered a classic. Indeed, it has shaped many providing both an American and Japanese perceptions of Pearl Harbor. This article will discuss the accuracy of Tora Tora Tora perspective and if it presents a reliable account of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harborwanted to avoid US military power glorification.

===The Background===The film largely portrays the background to the attack on Pearl Harbor very accurately. Tensions had been rising between America was not well-received, and Japan for many years. During WWI, it was panned by the Japanese critics who claimed that it was overlong and the Americans had been alliestedious. However, when It was a massive hit in Japan invaded Manchuria in China in 1931 the American government and public were outraged<ref> Clarke, Thurston. Pearl Harbor Ghosts: The Legacy of December 7, 1941. New York: Ballantine Publishing Group, 2001.p. 78</ref>. The relationship between Tokyo and where the US deteriorated over audiences liked the years, especially after sympathetic portrayal of the Japanese signed a treaty with Italy and Nazi Germany. The movie clearly shows how poor film is named after the relationship between Japanese code name for the Americans and Japanese had become by 1941assault on Pearl Harbor. This was after Tora means ‘surprise’ or ‘lightning strike’ in the Japanese army had occupied most of Indochina then a French colony with the agreement of the Vichy French governorlanguage. In response The movie remains very popular to thisday, the Americans had placed economic sanctions on Japan especially on the export of oilwhile not considered a classic. This was intended to slow the Japanese war machine in China as the Indeed, it has shaped many American and Japanese did not have their own supplies perceptions of oilPearl Harbor. This led to article will discuss the Japanese militarists drawing up accuracy of Tora Tora Tora and if it presents a plan to attack the American naval base in Hawaii. The atmosphere reliable account of mistrust between the two nations is brilliantly portrayedJapanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

On December 6, 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt did appeal to ====The Background====The film largely portrays the Japanese government for a peaceful resolution of the escalating crisis in the Pacific and he received no response. FDR was opposed to the Axis powers but he did not want to enter the war and wanted background to maintain US neutrality. The Americans were very concerned about the possibility of a Japanese attack. This is all shown in the motion picture. The movie also makes clear that the US believed that its Pacific fleet was safe in on Pearl Harborvery accurately. The movie correctly how Tensions had been rising between America and Japan for many years. During WWI, the US naval command failed to anticipate a Japanese aerial assault on Pearl Harbor. The movie also shows how and the Americans became aware of a Japanese plot to attack Pearl Harbor after they had decoded some secret communicationsbeen allies. The movie shows the intelligence services messaging the US Navy However, when Japan invaded Manchuria in Pearl Harbor but that they failed to reach those China in command. This actually happened and if 1931, the US intelligence services message had been relayed to Pearl Harbor in time then they could have defended themselves American government and denied the Japanese the element of surprise which was so important in their attackpublic were outraged.<ref>Clausen, Henry C.Clarke, and Bruce LeeThurston. Pearl HarborGhosts: Final JudgmentThe Legacy of December 7, 1941. New York: Crown PublishersBallantine Publishing Group, Inc2001., 1992, p. 11278</ref>The relationship between Tokyo and the US deteriorated over the years, especially after the Japanese signed a treaty with Italy and Germany.

The movie clearly shows how poor the relationship between the Americans and Japanese had become by 1941. After the Japanese army had occupied most Indochina, then a French colony with the Vichy French governor's agreement. In response to this, the Americans had placed economic sanctions on Japan, especially on oil export. This was intended to slow the Japanese war machine in China as the Japanese did not have their own oil supplies. This led to the Japanese militarists drawing up a plan to attack the American naval base in Hawaii. The atmosphere of mistrust between the two nations is brilliantly portrayed.  On December 6, 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt appealed to the Japanese government for a peaceful resolution of the escalating crisis in the Pacific and received no response. FDR was opposed to the Axis powers, but he did not want to enter the war and maintain US neutrality. The Americans were very concerned about the possibility of a Japanese attack. This is all shown in the motion picture. The movie also makes clear that the US believed that its Pacific fleet was safe in Pearl Harbor. The movie correctly how the US naval command failed to anticipate a Japanese aerial assault on Pearl Harbor.  The movie also shows how the Americans became aware of a Japanese plot to attack Pearl Harbor after decoding some secret communications. The movie shows the intelligence services messaging the US Navy in Pearl Harbor but that they failed to reach those in command. This actually happened. If the US intelligence services message had been relayed to Pearl Harbor in time, they could have defended themselves and denied the Japanese the element of surprise, which was so important in their attack.<ref>Clausen, Henry C., and Bruce Lee. Pearl Harbor: Final Judgment. New York: Crown Publishers, Inc., 1992, p. 112</ref> ====The Attack====

The scenes in the movie where the Japanese attacked the US fleet moored in Pearl Harbor are very accurate. The Japanese attack involved a number of several aircraft carriers escorted by battleships that all maintained radio silence as they sailed through the central Pacific<ref> Clausen, p. 117</ref>. The attack as As shown in the movie , the attack did not involve any Japanese warships attacking the US fleet. Rather the entire operations were carried out by Japan's fearsome Zero fighter planes and torpedo bombers. These aircraft took off as shown from by Japanese aircraft carriers and made their way to Pearl Harbor once again , maintaining strict radio silence. The Americans are shown as being taken completely by surprise , and this was the case. This was to prove crucial.

The Japanese attacked the American ships with bombs and torpedoes. They had developed very sophisticated torpedoes , and they were dropped, at a low altitude by the Japanese Zeros and they sped through the water just below the surface. They detonated when they hit their target. These torpedoes were able to hit many American cruisers and battleships beneath the water line waterline, and they sank very quickly even though they were moored in the Harbor. This is also shown very dramatically but also very realistically. The American defense's disorganized nature of the American defense is also shown , and the US fleet's lack of air cover for the US fleet is also accurate. However, the planes that were used in the movie were not actually Japanese Zeros. They were adapted RCAF Harvard (T-6 Texan) training and BT-13 Valiant training aircraft and had the distinctive markings of the Japanese air force painted on their wings and tail-wings.<ref> Slackman, Michael. Target: Pearl Harbor. Honolulu: U of Hawaii P, 1990, p. 113</ref>

The movie was able to acquire some planes from the time such as B-17s and the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk. The US P<dh-40 planes shown in the motion picture are in reality only elaborate fiberglass props. The movie does accurately capture the extensive damage and destruction of the attack. The Japanese attack was almost a complete success. However, they failed to sink the US aircraft carriers, for the simple reason, that they were on maneuvers<ref> Collier, Richard. The Road to Pearl Harbor. 1941. New York: Bonanza Books, 1981, p. 112<ad/ref>. This meant that the Japanese did not achieve all their objectives and this is shown very clearly in the movie. In one scene, the Japanese commander of the attack Admiral Yamamoto is informed that the US aircraft carriers had not been moored in Pearl Harbor. He clearly shows his disappointment and he displays a sense of foreboding. The aircraft carriers such as the USS Yorktown were to spearhead the counter-attack against the Japanese in the Pacific.

===The Japanese Declaration of War===[[File: Pearlharborcolork13513movie was able to acquire some planes from the time B-17s and the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk.jpg|200px|thumb|left| An explosion of The US P-40 planes shown in the USS Arizona that sank motion picture are, in Pearl Habor]]reality, only elaborate fiberglass props. The movie despite its attempts to represent the reality of the attack on Pearl Harbor does not portray accurately captures the role extensive damage and destruction of the Japanese in the attack. The movie Japanese attack was almost a joint Japanese-American production and this perhaps led complete success. However, they failed to some distortionssink the US aircraft carriers for the simple reason they were on maneuvers.<ref> Collier, Richard. The first one is the idea propagated by the filmmakers was that Road to Pearl Harbor was to suggest that it was not a surprise attack. 1941. New York: Bonanza Books, 1981, p. 112</ref> The This meant that the Japanese did not achieve all their objectives, shown very clearly in the movie are shown preparing a formal declaration . In one scene, the Japanese commander of war the attack, Admiral Yamamoto, is informed that was to be presented to the American Secretary of State US aircraft carriers had not been moored in Washington DPearl Harbor.C. This suggests that the Japanese did not want to launch He clearly shows his disappointment, and he displays a surprise and illegal attack which was against international laws and also cowardlysense of foreboding. The movie indicates that because of some delays and technical difficulties that aircraft carriers such as the Japanese failed USS Yorktown were to submit spearhead the declaration of war on time. There was a document submitted by counter-attack against the Japanese to in the Americans but it was not an official declaration of war, ‘rather it was an ultimatum.’<ref>Collier, pPacific. 14</ref>

====The government Japanese Declaration of War====[[File: Pearlharborcolork13513.jpg|300px|thumb|left| An explosion of the USS Arizona that sank in Tokyo did not intend Pearl Habor]]Despite its attempts to declare war on America as this would have ruined their plans for a surprise represent the reality of the attack on the US fleet moored in Pearl Harbor. In fact, research indicated that the movie does not accurately portray the role of the Japanese delayed this ultimatum at the last minute in case it alerted the Americans to the possibility of a military strikeattack. On at least two occasions in the The movie, Admiral Yamamoto states that the document was a declaration of war joint Japanese-American production, and he is shown to be visibly upset when he learns that the document had not been submitted this perhaps led to the American Secretary of State, before the attack <ref> Clausen, psome distortions. 11</ref>. This The first one is totally inaccurate. The Japanese after that the war wanted to show filmmakers propagated that the attack on Pearl Harbor was to suggest that it was not a cowardly surprise attack and invented the idea that they had attempted to declare war on the Americans before the events of the 7th of December, 1941. The movie is too reliant on the Japanese interpretation of the events which are biased and inaccurate.

===Emperor Hirohito===Another inaccuracy and distortion of The Japanese in the history movie is shown preparing a formal declaration of war to be presented to the time is the portrayal American Secretary of Emperor HirohitoState in Washington, D.C. In This suggests that the movie, he is shown as Japanese did not want to launch a moderate man who was essential peace-lovingsurprise and illegal attack against international laws and cowardly. In the The movie, he is portrayed as essentially powerless and indicates that real power lay in the hands Japanese failed to submit a war declaration because of the militarists such as Prime Minister Tojo who dominated the governmentsome delays and technical difficulties. Tora Tora Tora portrays Hirohito as essential There was a figurehead and who Japanese document to the Americans, but it was not responsible in any way for the attackan official declaration of war, ‘rather it was an ultimatum.’<ref>Goldstein, Donald M., and Katherine V. Dillon, eds. <i>The Pearl Harbor Papers: Inside the Japanese Plans</i>. New York: Brassey'sCollier, 1993. p. 4514</ref> The issue of Hirohito’s role in the war has always been controversial. Many have argued that he could have done more to stop the conflict and indeed that he actively cooperated with the Japanese militarists as they tried to create a Japanese Empire in the Asia-Pacific region. The movie goes to great lengths to show that the Emperor was not responsible for the surprise attack on the US Fleet anchored in Hawaii. The motion picture shows the Japanese generals as dominating the Emperor and his only role was to sign documents that were placed before him.

In reality, the political situation The government in Tokyo was did not intend to declare war on America as straightforward as suggested in the movie.<ref> Clausen, p. 23</ref> The makers of the movie this would have us believe that the Japanese military practically forced the reluctant Emperor to sign the document that ordered the ruined their plans for a surprise attack on the US fleet moored in Pearl Harbor. In fact, Hirohito was a far more powerful figure than research indicated and that the military had to report Japanese delayed this ultimatum at the last minute if it alerted the Americans to him and that under the constitution possibility of 1936 he was entitled to raise objections to any decision and could even veto government actionsa military strike. The movie gives the official version of the role of Hirohito On at least two occasions in the warmovie, Admiral Yamamoto states that he the document was only a figureheadwar declaration. It must He is shown to be remembered visibly upset when he learns that Hirohito was still Emperor the document had not been submitted to the American Secretary of Japan at State before the time and was a much-revered figureattack.<ref> Clausen, p. 11</ref> This is totally inaccurate. In factAfter the war, the surprise Japanese wanted to show that the attack on Pearl Harbor was not objected cowardly and invented the idea that they had attempted to by declare war on the Americans before the Hirohito and he permitted it to occur. In theory, he could have prevented events of the attack but as in so many other instances7th of December, he did nothing1941. The Emperor it was believed was sympathetic to the attack movie is too reliant on Peral Harbor and the general aims Japanese interpretation of the Japanese militaryevents, but none of this is shown in the moviewhich are biased and inaccurate.

===Conclusion=Emperor Hirohito====Tora Tora Tora is a dramatic movie with some great action scenes Another inaccuracy and in many ways, it is an accurate portrayal distortion of what happened on that terrible day on the 7th history of December 1941. The background to Pearl Harbor and the attack on time is the US fleet is largely accurate and in many ways, it does show what actually occurredportrayal of Emperor Hirohito. However, there are some serious failings in In the movie and they are not the typical inaccuracies in a Hollywood blockbuster. The role of the Japanese in the attack , he is very inaccurate. The attempt to show that the Japanese government attempted to submit shown as a formal declaration of war moderate man who was an effort to gloss over the fact essential peace-loving, and that real power lay in the attack on Pearl Harbor was a sneak attack that was contrary to all international laws and was a blatant act hands of aggression. Then the movie's portrayal of militarists such as Prime Minister Tojo, who dominated the role of Emperor government. Tora Tora Tora portrays Hirohito as an essential figurehead and who was also incorrect and it understates his role in the events not responsible in any way for the run-up to the Japanese attack on the 7th of December 1941. These are serious failings <ref>Goldstein, Donald M., and they undermine Katherine V. Dillon, eds. <i>The Pearl Harbor Papers: Inside the credibility of the film and give a false sense of the eventsJapanese Plans</i>. New York: Brassey's, 1993. p.45</ref>

In reality, the political situation in Tokyo was not as straightforward as suggested in the movie.<ref> Clausen, p. 23</ref> The makers of the movie would have us believe that the Japanese military practically forced the reluctant Emperor to sign the document that ordered the attack on Pearl Harbor. In fact, Hirohito was a far more powerful figure than indicated. The military had to report to him and that under the constitution of 1936, he was entitled to raise objections to any decision and even veto government actions.  The movie gives the official version of Hirohito's role in the war that he was only a figurehead. It must be remembered that Hirohito was still Emperor of Japan at the time and was a much-revered figure. In fact, the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor was not objected to by Hirohito, and he permitted it to occur. He could have prevented the attack in theory, but he did nothing in so many other instances. The Emperor, it was believed, was sympathetic to the attack on Pearl Harbor and the general aims of the Japanese military, but none of this is shown in the movie. ====Conclusion====Tora Tora Tora is a dramatic movie with some great action scenes, and in many ways, it is an accurate portrayal of what happened on that terrible day on the 7th of December 1941. The background to Pearl Harbor and the attack on the US fleet is largely accurate, and in many ways, it does show what actually occurred. However, there are some serious failings in the movie, and they are not the typical inaccuracies in a Hollywood blockbuster. The role of the Japanese in the attack is very inaccurate.  The attempt to show that the Japanese government attempted to submit a formal declaration of war was an effort to gloss over the fact that the attack on Pearl Harbor was a sneak attack that was contrary to all international laws and was a blatant act of aggression. Then the movie's portrayal of the role of Emperor Hirohito was also incorrect, and it understates his role in the events in the run-up to the Japanese attack on the 7th of December 1941. These are serious failings, and they undermine the credibility of the film and give a false sense of the events. <youtube>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PfdQod8HTw</youtube> ====References====