Pearl Harbor
It takes a moment to change history. It takes love to change lives.
Country
Production
Budget
$140 000 000
Box office
$449 220 945
Director
Actors
Scenario
Producer
Jerry Bruckheimer, Pat Sandston, Michael Bay, K.C. Hodenfield, Kenny Bates, Jennifer Klein, Bruce Hendricks, Mike Stenson, Chad Oman, Randall Wallace
Camera operator
John Schwartzman
Composer
Artist
Nigel Phelps, Robert Woodruff, Paul Sonski
Audition
Editing
Short description
The lifelong friendship between Rafe McCawley and Danny Walker is put to the ultimate test when the two ace fighter pilots become entangled in a love triangle with beautiful Naval nurse Evelyn Johnson. But the rivalry between the friends-turned-foes is immediately put on hold when they find themselves at the center of Japan's devastating attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.
What's left behind the scenes
- A total of 2,403 Americans were killed and 1,178 were wounded as a result of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Nearly half of the casualties (1,102 people) were caused by the explosion and subsequent sinking of the battleship 'Arizona'. The Japanese lost 64 personnel.
- Charlize Theron turned down the lead female role in the film, preferring the drama "Sweet November" (2001).
- Jack Daniel's whiskey in similar bottles did not exist in the 1940s (awards that the brand had not yet earned are visible).
- Many American veterans who participated in the events depicted in the film rejected and criticized it as being too 'Hollywood' and far from reality, as well as containing numerous errors and inaccuracies. Among other things, the portrayal of Colonel James Doolittle as a boisterous, arrogant, and conceited man drew particular displeasure, in contrast to the warm, brave, sincere, and humble man he actually was. Virtually all veterans who knew him personally were deeply offended.
- Director Michael Bay left the project four times due to disagreements with the studio.
- The battleship Missouri, permanently docked at Pearl Harbor, was used to portray several different American battleships in the film. All modifications were limited to changing the ship's name on the life jackets.
- Dorie Miller, played by Cuba Gooding Jr., was the first African American to serve in the US Navy.
- Scenes of the countryside in Tennessee were filmed in the Californian town of Soomis, an hour's drive from Los Angeles. To make the location more like Tennessee, corn was planted in the field five months before filming.
- Unlike the earlier film "Tora! Tora! Tora!" (1970), also dedicated to the attack on Pearl Harbor, actual Japanese "Mitsubishi Zero" fighters were used. A total of three fighters were involved – one located in the "Planes of Fame Museum" in Chino, California, the second – in the "Museum of Flight" in Santa Monica, California, and the third belonging to the non-profit organization "Memorial Air Force", based in Texas. The film "Tora! Tora! Tora!" used accurate replicas constructed for the US Army during World War II. Thirty years later, some of them were used again during the filming of "Pearl Harbor".
- While searching for suitable locations, the producers concluded that the American city of Gary, Indiana, most closely resembled Tokyo in 1942. Cinematographers photographed the city from the air and subsequently integrated the resulting footage into the film.
- Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, and Gwyneth Paltrow were originally considered for the three lead roles. Due to commitments to other projects, two of them were forced to decline the offers. Nevertheless, Matt Damon appears in a cameo as a gunner firing a machine gun during the Japanese attack. The actor agreed to participate in the project for free as a gesture of respect to Michael Bay.
- Two Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighters were specially built for the film at a plant in Orenburg, Russia, which specializes in the restoration of World War II-era aircraft.
- The attack scenes were filmed at the same Mexican studios as James Cameron's legendary "Titanic".
- Unlike the earlier film 'Tora! Tora! Tora!' (1970), which also focused on the attack on Pearl Harbor, authentic Mitsubishi Zero fighters were used. A total of three fighters were utilized: one from the Planes of Fame Air Museum in Chino, California; a second from the Flight Museum of Santa Monica, California; and a third belonging to the Commemorative Air Force, based in Texas. In 'Tora! Tora! Tora!', exact replicas built for the US Army during World War II were used. Thirty years later, some of those replicas proved useful again during the filming of 'Pearl Harbor'.
- Charlize Theron turned down the female lead role in the film, choosing instead to star in the drama 'Sweet November' (2001).
- One of the roles in the film could have gone to Adrien Brody.
- Two genuine Curtiss P-40 Warhawks, borrowed from the Warhawk Air Museum in Nampa, Idaho, were used during filming.
- Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, and Gwyneth Paltrow were initially considered for the three lead roles. Due to commitments to other projects, two of them were forced to decline the offers. However, Matt Damon appears in a cameo as a shooter firing a machine gun during the Japanese attack. The actor agreed to this participation in the project for free, as a sign of respect for Michael Bay.
- Six months after the film's release, the National Geographic channel released a documentary film, “Making of ‘Pearl Harbor’” (2001), almost entirely devoted to the errors and inaccuracies in the film.
- To better prepare for his role, Alec Baldwin spent considerable time on flight simulators at Fort Rucker, Alabama.
- Ashton Kutcher was considered for the role of Danny Walker, but Josh Hartnett was given preference.
- The film crew used 700 dynamite charges, over 600 meters of detonating cord, and over 15,000 liters of gasoline to ignite 6 ships.
- To depict and film the capsizing of the battleship 'Oklahoma', the world's largest gimbal mechanism was constructed.
- The hospital interior scenes were actually filmed inside the Fort Shafter U.S. Army base in Honolulu.
- The Steirman biplane shown in the film's opening scenes went into production in 1935 and therefore could not have existed in 1923, when these scenes are set according to the script.
- Director Michael Bay left the project four times due to disagreements with the film studio.
- During filming, planes flew over an abandoned military base in California. This caused panic among local residents, who believed that actual combat operations had begun.
- A fictional character by Thurmann, played by Dan Aykroyd, brings together a team of codebreakers who deciphered fragments of Japanese messages before the attack.
- The Stearman biplane shown in the opening scenes of the film was put into production in 1935 and therefore could not have existed in 1923, when the scenes are set according to the script.
- During filming, airplanes flew over an abandoned military base in California. This caused panic among local residents, who believed that real combat operations had begun.
- Before filming began at Pearl Harbor, a Hawaiian priest blessed the film crew. Such a practice is recommended by local customs when filming movies in the Hawaiian Islands.
- Jon Voight wore exact replicas of the steel braces that President Franklin Delano Roosevelt was forced to wear. As a result, during filming and for several weeks afterward, the actor suffered from bruising and skin irritation where the braces had been.
- During filming, one of the Japanese aircraft crashed on Ford Island, located in the middle of Pearl Harbor. Fortunately, the pilot was uninjured, and the footage of the crash was included in the final version of the movie.
- Japanese aircraft of that period were painted light gray, not green as shown in the movie.
- The role of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt was initially offered to Gene Hackman. Only after his refusal was John Voight invited.
- Japanese aircraft of that period were painted light gray, not green, as shown in the film.
- Two Japanese Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighters were specially built for the film at a factory in Orenburg, Russia, specializing in the restoration of aircraft from World War II.
- The role of Rafa McCawley could have gone to James Marsden or James Caviezel.
- Two authentic Curtiss P-40 Warhawks were used during filming, borrowed for the duration from the Warhawk Air Museum in Nampa, Idaho.
- Before filming began on Pearl Harbor, a Hawaiian priest blessed the film crew. This practice is recommended by local customs when filming movies in the Hawaiian Islands.
- Kevin Costner was offered the role of Colonel James Doolittle, but he turned down the offer.
- The original title of the screenplay was "Tennessee." Disney Studios acquired it for two million dollars. In the initial version, both main characters were fighter pilots on the aircraft carrier "Tennessee."
- The role of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt was originally offered to Gene Hackman. John Voight was invited only after he declined.
- One of the roles in the film could have gone to Adrien Brody, but he preferred filming in 'The Pianist'.
- General Marshall, who was talking to Roosevelt, inexplicably wore the Vietnam Service Medal ribbon on his chest.
- Filming of the movie took place from April 10th to September 15th, 2000.
- The original title of the script was 'Tennessee'. Disney Studios purchased it for two million dollars. In the initial version, both main characters were fighter pilots on the aircraft carrier 'Tennessee'.
- Director Michael Bay and producer Jerry Bruckheimer agreed to reduce their fees by four million dollars to cut project costs. In response, many actors also agreed to a corresponding reduction in their salaries.
- The bombing scenes were filmed under the supervision of the Environmental Protection Agency.
- It took eight weeks to build the model of the battleship "Oklahoma." During its capsizing, 150 people were knocked off their feet or left suspended in the air.
- In the film, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt receives news of the Japanese attack and the damage incurred from an advisor entering the room. In reality, the President was having lunch with his old friend Harry Hopkins when a call came from Secretary of War Henry Stimson. Hopkins refused to believe the message, but the President did.
- One of the roles in the film could have gone to Adrien Brody, but he preferred to film in "The Pianist".
- To depict and film the capsizing of the battleship 'Oklahoma', the world's largest articulated mechanism was constructed.
- While scouting for suitable filming locations, the producers concluded that among modern cities, Gary, Indiana, was the best fit to portray Tokyo in 1942. Cinematographers photographed the city from the air and subsequently integrated the resulting footage into the film.
- The takeoff of the Doolittle Raid participants was filmed aboard the aircraft carrier USS Constellation off the coast of California, near San Diego. Using computer graphics, the angled deck of the modern carrier was converted into the straight deck of a World War II-era aircraft carrier.
- The fictional character Turman, played by Dan Aykroyd, represents an entire team of cryptographers who decoded fragments of Japanese messages prior to the attack.
- The filming of the bombing scenes was conducted under the supervision of the Environmental Protection Agency.
- The battleship 'Missouri', permanently docked at Pearl Harbor, was used to film several American battleships in the movie. All changes were limited to altering the ship's name on the life vests.
- It took 106 days to film the movie.
- To better prepare for his role, Alec Baldwin spent a considerable amount of time in flight simulators based at Fort Rucker, Alabama.
- One of the most famous American critics of our time, Roger Ebert, gave the film a highly negative review. Subsequently, director Michael Bay called Ebert's criticism the most painful insult he had received throughout his film career.
- When Rafe and the team rushed to the hangars of the second airfield, the Japanese had not yet attacked, and two P-40 fighters were already burning.
- Director Michael Bay and producer Jerry Bruckheimer agreed to reduce their fees by four million dollars to cut project costs. In response, many actors also agreed to corresponding salary reductions.
- In one of the panoramic shots in the film, the memorial to the battleship "Arizona", built over its sunken hull, can be seen. The memorial was created in the 1960s. In another such panoramic shot of the American fleet before the "Doolittle Raid", a "Burke"-class destroyer is visible. The first of these warships entered service in 1991.
- The scenes inside the hospital were actually filmed inside the Fort Shafter American military base in Honolulu.
- The film earned a place in the Guinness Book of Records as the film in which the most explosives were used.
- During filming, one of the Japanese planes crashed on the Hawaiian islet of Ford, located in the middle of Pearl Harbor. Fortunately, the pilot was unharmed, and footage of the crash made it into the final version of the film.
- The takeoff of the Doolittle Raid participants was filmed aboard the USS Constellation off the coast of California, near San Diego. Computer graphics were used to transform the angled deck of the modern aircraft carrier into the straight deck of a World War II era carrier.
- Ashton Kutcher vied for the role of Danny Walker, but Josh Hartnett was ultimately chosen.
- Colonel Dolittle's dog is actually Mason, a bullmastiff belonging to director Michael Bay.
- In one of the film's panoramic shots, the USS Arizona Memorial, built over the sunken hull, can be seen. The memorial was created in the 1960s. In another such panoramic shot of the US Navy before the Doolittle Raid, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer is visible. The first warships of this class entered service in 1991.
- Colonel Doolittle's dog is actually Mason, a Bullmastiff belonging to director Michael Bay.
- Jon Voight wore accurate replicas of the steel braces that President Franklin Delano Roosevelt was forced to wear. As a result, the actor suffered bruising and skin irritation where the braces were during filming and for several weeks afterward.
- Contrary to popular belief, the damage from the attack on Pearl Harbor was not as catastrophic as often portrayed. None of the three large aircraft carriers were present at the time and therefore remained undamaged. Most of the American battleships damaged and sunk were already obsolete by that time and could not have provided a decisive advantage. Damaged ships were only temporarily withdrawn from the theater of operations, and some of the sunken ships were soon salvaged and repaired. Valuable parts, such as gun turrets, were removed from the majority of ships beyond repair. A more significant loss was the destruction of 155 out of 188 aircraft based in Hawaii. The psychological shock following the attack was far greater than the material damage.
- The rural Tennessee scenes were filmed in the California town of Somis, an hour's drive from Los Angeles. To make the location look more like Tennessee, corn was planted in the fields five months before filming.
- The total amount of funds spent on the film's production and advertising campaign is roughly equivalent to the amount of damage caused by the Japanese attack.
- The film premiered in Pearl Harbor aboard the aircraft carrier “John C. Stennis.” Seating for viewers was set up on the flight deck, and the hangar was transformed into a 1940s-style nightclub for the party that followed the premiere. The screen was installed between the Arizona Memorial and the permanent mooring of the USS Missouri.
- The roles of the two main characters in the fragment depicting the attack on Pearl Harbor correspond to two American pilots, Lieutenants George Welch and Kenneth M. Taylor, who took to the skies and together shot down between 6 and 10 Japanese fighters. At the same time, the film does not contain a single mention of Welch and Taylor, which many considered incorrect, if not simply offensive.
- The crew used 700 sticks of dynamite, over 600 meters of fuse, and more than 15,000 liters of gasoline to set six ships on fire.
- The role of Rafa McCauley could have gone to James Marsden and James Caviezel.
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