The gallant hours4/2/2023 Perhaps he met some of the many real life men depicted in this film. The sheer reverence to the subject matter is likely due to the fact that Robert Montgomery, who also produced this film, served in the U.S. ![]() He is 19 years of age." Lumner then walks off with some other soldiers as Montgomery continues, "Three men in that squad will survive the battle of Guadalcanal, Private First Class Eric Lumner is not one of them." He manned a 50 caliber machine gun that was assaulted early this morning. One of the most moving introduction is when Cagney is on the Island talking to a, "Private First class Eric Lumner. Sometimes it seems like too much information, while other times it is interesting and even sometimes down right dramatic. He tells their name, rank and some other fact such as if they are married or like to garden. Robert Montgomery narrates, introducing each new character as they make their entrance. This is a very detailed account. Great care is made to treat this subject matter with the utmost respect. It sounds more suitable for a religious film, but then, The Gallant Hours is trying very hard to bestow Admiral Halsey with sainthood. James Cagney and Robert Montgomery during a break from filming The Gallant Hours As Halsey famously said, “There are no great men, only great challenges that ordinary men are forced by circumstances to meet.” The Gallant Hours gives a great example of this statement. Many brave yet average men died for this cause. Against almost impossible odds the Allies defeated the Japanese and stopped their expansion in the Pacific. The battle for Guadal-canal lives on in legend as one of the greatest land and sea battles in U.S. The gallant hours for Bull Halsey are in many ways America’s gallant hours. It is a bit unnecessary and downright cheesy in fact. I only question his decision to have a male chorus singing over several scenes. Actor turned director Robert Montgomery does a decent job at the helm. This makes for a slower pace than one might wish for in this type picture but it keeps your attention easily. Instead we are shown what went on behind the front lines in the war rooms where the big decisions were made. There is very little action for a war movie. Watching Halsey outwit and out maneuver him is great fun and since this is based on historical fact also quite satisfying as an American. Hamamoto was famous for being a great poker player known especially for his ability to bluff. Both are portrayed as brilliant tacticians and strategists who often followed their gut instincts. The movie is like a giant chess game between these two men. Halsey’s Japanese counterpart Admiral Isoroku Hamamoto is also given screen time. He shows that he was a very good actor without having to play to the back row. Instead he plays the role in a more subtle and soft-spoken manner without his usual outbursts of energy. He said it was the hardest role he ever played because Halsey had no obvious mannerisms or tics that he could imitate. ![]() This gives the viewer the unusual feeling of actually witnessing history.Ĭagney gives a subdued performance as Halsey. Virtually all the men portrayed were real life soldiers, sailors, pilots and marines. The story takes place from October 18th to December 1st, 1942, from the time Halsey takes over command of the American naval forces in the South Pacific and all during the battle for Guadal-canal. James Cagney stars as Fleet Admiral William F. The Gallant Hours is a great documentary style WWII drama. Dennis Weaver wants James Cagney as Admiral Halsey to get his shots.
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