16 reviews
minor spoilers - story based on pearl harbor event
So.....
- rhilseberg
- Nov 13, 2020
- Permalink
i know im sitting on the dayside of the earth
But even as hawaiian this story was it was barely a mediocre one. if you expect war your lost, if you would like some harakiri then your in. you will also find a whole lot of village around the bonfire talking or walking and not much more than that. there are some fistfights between friends , and foes too. itll may have some appeal for the right wing japanese audiences, because it has some japanese imperialism in its hidden agenda.
the acting are at b and c level, the locations and settings are rather like ''your mama and my mama, sitting by the fire'', and feels like a bunch of locals in a theater company joining forces to tell their part of the islands war history.
the grumpy old man saw it and will attend the haugesund international film festival later today
the acting are at b and c level, the locations and settings are rather like ''your mama and my mama, sitting by the fire'', and feels like a bunch of locals in a theater company joining forces to tell their part of the islands war history.
the grumpy old man saw it and will attend the haugesund international film festival later today
Not good, but not awful.
First, the Niihau Incident is a great dramatic story from WWII, so why mess with it and change things. I'd give the director a pass on the plane crashing into the ocean instead of a field, because I'm sure that dropped the budget a lot (easier to fake in a pool). But, the other changes are rather insulting, primarily because they aren't better or more dramatic than the truth. I guess they wanted make up the actions and motivations of the Japanese so it might balance out some sort of morality tale. Weird.
Second, while the performances and productions weren't bad per se, it came across more as TV quality, rather than cinematic. Some of the dialogue was clunky, simplistic and didn't work.
Meh.
Second, while the performances and productions weren't bad per se, it came across more as TV quality, rather than cinematic. Some of the dialogue was clunky, simplistic and didn't work.
Meh.
- FreddyShoop
- Nov 19, 2020
- Permalink
What a Piece of Crap!
Totally fictionalized account of the Ni'ihau Incident.
As a World War II historian I've been hoping for years that someone would produce a film about the incident that was the main impetus for incarcerating Japanese Americans living on the West Coast in concentration camps (those living in Hawai'i were not incarcerated, except for a handful who were known to be enemy sympathizers). I didn't even know about this movie until more than three years after it was made; probably because it's garbage and no one wanted to advertise it. I'm not going to take the time to create spoilers and point out everything wrong about this production, but suffice it to say that it's just wrong.
As a World War II historian I've been hoping for years that someone would produce a film about the incident that was the main impetus for incarcerating Japanese Americans living on the West Coast in concentration camps (those living in Hawai'i were not incarcerated, except for a handful who were known to be enemy sympathizers). I didn't even know about this movie until more than three years after it was made; probably because it's garbage and no one wanted to advertise it. I'm not going to take the time to create spoilers and point out everything wrong about this production, but suffice it to say that it's just wrong.
Very slow movie
The events in the movie are very slow, that I almost fell asleep. There are also many scenes in Japanese where you can't understand what's happening but you have to guess. And the end is not good. In short, the movie can be shortened to a half an hour instead wasting two hours on such slow movie.
Not filmed in Hawaii, what could go wrong
The original events would have made a better story. The most unHawaiian movie about Hawaii. Everything was off. From houses to clothes. Hawaiians didn't hunt boar with long bows and who spears fish that way. What Nisei speaks with a Japanese accent. It would have helped if the film makers did a little research before the filmed.
- cedric-594-118833
- Sep 9, 2020
- Permalink
Not accurate at all
- wstetler51
- Dec 3, 2020
- Permalink
Not as bad as people here make it out to be
Sure the movie is slow its not an action movie its full of suspense and drama especially towards the end the last 30 minutes save the movie, you have to be in the right mood to enjoy this film and its not for everyone but its far from being a bad flick.
- radovicivan
- Feb 15, 2020
- Permalink
Revisionist BS
This movie is no closer to being based on the Niihau Incident than a Chipotle fart is to telling the tale of Abraham Lincoln.
Don't be making genuine heroes weak by removing their ACTUAL ACTIONS AND MOTIVATIONS and make genuine REAL LIFE VILLAINS sympathetic by giving them fake stories.
An amazing story was RUINED AND WASTED with this film. The filmmakers should be ashamed!
Don't be making genuine heroes weak by removing their ACTUAL ACTIONS AND MOTIVATIONS and make genuine REAL LIFE VILLAINS sympathetic by giving them fake stories.
An amazing story was RUINED AND WASTED with this film. The filmmakers should be ashamed!
- carrthedemonhunter
- Nov 11, 2021
- Permalink
Excellent movie of unknown heros
I had no idea that this story existed. While somewhat slower in places, this movie was excellent in showing the conflicted, raw emotions that would have been felt when this occurred. Don't miss out.
Possibly the worst movie ever made!
This movie is worse then anything ever made. The story could have been ok, but the acting, dialogue, the scenery, the outfits, it seemed like everything was put together by a child. It even looks like it was shot on video? Horrible. And I'm Hawaiian!!!
Don't watch this crap.
One of the worst movies I have seen in a long time.
Won't waste many words on this review.
I was hoping for some action but fell asleep instead until the last 15 minutes when there was some action.
- psxexperten
- Aug 19, 2019
- Permalink
Not So Bad
Movie was well done and photographed even though no one strayed more than 100 yards from the village. It had an abundance of tragedy that pierced the soul because the story was basically true. Made me sad.
- randygarmon-87371
- Feb 26, 2021
- Permalink
I loved it
I LOVED IT. I am wondering why it doesn't mention it is based on a true story. When I click on the wikipedia link, it uses this title and brings up the title but then changes it to the tv series with a similar name. I can't find any information about the events it is based on outside of the movie.
- glensarahs
- Aug 2, 2020
- Permalink
Idylls of a South Pacific island disturbed by war
There are many interesting things to this film, and the most interesting one is the psychology of the cultural clash between friendly islanders and a stranded Japanese pilot shot down on the island after Pearl Harbour. There are some other Japanese on the island also, and when they learn the truth about the pilot they try to keep it down to avoid risks to the island community. They fail to keep it down, the truth comes out, and there is havoc, as too many quite unnecessarily panic, including the poor Japanese pilot, who runs amuck. The one man who tries to keep everything in sensible control is almost a casualty himself.
The film is beautifully photographed, it's a pleasure to share the very basic and primitive life on this secluded island, the actors are all quite convincing especially when they lose control, and the story is fascinating although deeply tragic - all casualties are unnecessary. The war should never have come to this island, no one wanted it there, no one was responsible for bringing it there, and the poor Japanese pilot who brought it there suffered most for it. It is a good film although you would hardly look forward to watching it again.
The film is beautifully photographed, it's a pleasure to share the very basic and primitive life on this secluded island, the actors are all quite convincing especially when they lose control, and the story is fascinating although deeply tragic - all casualties are unnecessary. The war should never have come to this island, no one wanted it there, no one was responsible for bringing it there, and the poor Japanese pilot who brought it there suffered most for it. It is a good film although you would hardly look forward to watching it again.