Nine B-17 bombers and their crews set off from San Francisco to Hawaii. They arrive just as the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor. The Mary-Ann is forced into an emergency landing. They are ordered to Wake and then on to the Philippines where the Japanese have launched an invasion.
The first half is more a travelogue for the war. They start with Pearl Harbor, listen to FDR, visit Wake predicting the coming storm, and arrive in the Philippines. The air combat sequence has its thrills. The fight is a little too one-sided but it's still compelling. Considering the time it was made, the battle result is more than understandable. Then the plot gets into something reminiscent of Coral Sea. There is a lot of action, mostly miniature with some combat footage. It goes all out with all the miniatures. By the end, the plane is swiss cheese. The characters aren't that memorable but the action is meant to rally the audience. It's a movie of its times.
The first half is more a travelogue for the war. They start with Pearl Harbor, listen to FDR, visit Wake predicting the coming storm, and arrive in the Philippines. The air combat sequence has its thrills. The fight is a little too one-sided but it's still compelling. Considering the time it was made, the battle result is more than understandable. Then the plot gets into something reminiscent of Coral Sea. There is a lot of action, mostly miniature with some combat footage. It goes all out with all the miniatures. By the end, the plane is swiss cheese. The characters aren't that memorable but the action is meant to rally the audience. It's a movie of its times.