Admiral William "Bull" Halsey (James Cagney) assumes command of military operations in the South Pacific as Japanese forces threaten to take control of Guadalcanal and, consequently, all of the South Pacific. This film has a quasi-documentary style. Much of the background music is handled by a chorus, creating a tenor of reverence and solemnity, which is appropriate given the magnitude and significance of every decision made during the critical days of Halsey's new command.
Voice-overs provide background information for many of the historic actors in this real-life drama, both American and Japanese. By portraying the human sides of the conflict, it provides a behind-the-scenes look into the battle of wits and personalities that lay behind troop actions and the movements of warships and planes.
Halsey is demonstrated to be the right man at the right time, with his outside-the-box thinking that allows him to garner respect from the men under his command and to achieve results that beat the odds. His style, which can be seen as a version of "management by walking around", allows him insights with more depth than can be ascertained through official communications.
What this film does very well is to demonstrate the profound impact that individuals, psychological factors, and single events can have on outcomes. It is often said that a superior individual can sometimes achieve results superior to those of a syndicate or committee. In Halsey, we see the personification of that principle. It's a real joy to gain a glimpse into the psyches of the men who were involved in this critical conflict. Most war films are about battles and results, but this film helps one understand motivations and decision-making behind the actions.
Voice-overs provide background information for many of the historic actors in this real-life drama, both American and Japanese. By portraying the human sides of the conflict, it provides a behind-the-scenes look into the battle of wits and personalities that lay behind troop actions and the movements of warships and planes.
Halsey is demonstrated to be the right man at the right time, with his outside-the-box thinking that allows him to garner respect from the men under his command and to achieve results that beat the odds. His style, which can be seen as a version of "management by walking around", allows him insights with more depth than can be ascertained through official communications.
What this film does very well is to demonstrate the profound impact that individuals, psychological factors, and single events can have on outcomes. It is often said that a superior individual can sometimes achieve results superior to those of a syndicate or committee. In Halsey, we see the personification of that principle. It's a real joy to gain a glimpse into the psyches of the men who were involved in this critical conflict. Most war films are about battles and results, but this film helps one understand motivations and decision-making behind the actions.