Destination Tokyo

source: Destination Tokyo

Trailer—Destination Tokyo

Destination Tokyo

Gripping WW2 film with Cary Grant as the captain of a Navy submarine tasked with a scouting mission ahead of the Dollittle Raid in April of 1942. Grant gives an effortless performance heading a terrific ensemble. The crew of the sub includes John Garfield, Alan Hale, Dane Clark, Tom Tully, and William Prince. Second movie of both John Forsythe and Robert Hutton, cousin to Cary Grant's then-wife Barbara Hutton. A classic war movie, well directed by Delmer Daves with a smart script that focuses heavily on character more than action. Although there is plenty of that. Reading some of the other reviews, much is made of the use of model subs and planes. Obviously special effects were limited back then. It doesn't bother me but, if you're someone who is particular about such things, consider yourself warned. Speaking of warnings, this is a film made when we were at war with Japan. So there is some politically incorrect language, for those easily offended types out there.

Decent WW2 submarine drama. Decent plot, not based on a true story itself but based around an actual historic event, the Doolittle Raid. The structure, commands and regimens of a submarine crew seem quite authentic and sometimes give it a documentary feel. Can be a bit far-fetched at times though. Some episodes seem included just for glamour purposes, and, considering the movie was released in 1943, propaganda purposes. Decent action sequences. In keeping with the above point regarding propaganda, dialogue can also be overly bellicose and speech-like at times. Anything for a few war bonds... Solid performance by Cary Grant in the lead role. Good support all round.

I enjoyed the film. It was full of Amaerican propaganda, but it was produced when WWII was still being fought. I saw a in previous review, where a reader said that the movie stared Alan Hale, before he went on to Captain his own boat in Gilligan's Island. It's actually Alan Hale Sr. who's in Destination Tokyo, and Alan Hale Jr., who's in Gilligan's Island. Cary Grant does a good job as Captain, and I enjoyed the drama of Torpedoman Adams getting hit with an appendicitis while the sub is in Tokyo Bay. It also showed that people die during a war. The sub took quite a beating from depth-charges as well as discussing the fear that some men would have had. It was also interesting how they incorporated the Col. James Dolittle raid into the movie. It seemed a little more realistic than in Pearl Harbor. Overall, a pretty good movie.

Grant is sent to Tokyo Bay in early days of Pacific WWII to assist in Doolittle's B-25 raid. Along the way we experience the traditional nervous wartime banter, Hutton getting emergency surgery from a pharmacist's mate, Garfield as the charismatic ladies man, and the senior Alan Hale (father of the Skipper but otherwise pretty indistinguishable from him) serving up his best grub. If it's a wartime navy film you have to bet on either the senior Hale or the junior Hale showing up somewhere on the boat. There's not a lot of heavy-duty battle action until the last half hour or so, but then we get enough torpedoes and depth-charges for any sub junkie. Grant is the best Hollywood sub captain ever, I think anyone would be proud to serve under him. There's something special about the movies made when the outcome of the war was still in doubt. Top notch flick, with the sort of innocence and faith which would not be attempted today. Our loss. 10 out of ten.

Here is a great small war movie propelled with the talents of star Cary Grant and a fine supporting cast to boot. Not a major classic by any means but a delight that stands up to repeat viewing. This film was made in the general spirit of great 40's films with it's action/comedy pacing, there's hardly a dull moment. The film feels true to the spirit of the times it was made as well, no false notes struck here. As a footnote, I've noticed a few earlier reviewers noted the presence of "The Skipper from Gilligans Island Alan Hale"...sorry, that's not so. That man is Alan Hale Sr, a very talented actor in his own right who's the FATHER of Alan Hale Jr of Gilligan's Island fame(It's a bit confusing because they both were known as "Alan Hale" and they both looked very similar.) Pick it up for cheap and add it to your collection, you'll be glad you did!

With all the stir over Bruckheimer and Bay's silly PEARL HARBOR action ride, you might want to see some more realistic and gritty war films. Among them should be the historical retelling of Pearl Harbor in TORA! TORA! TORA! and the Doolittle raid in THIRTY SECONDS OVER TOKYO. The Doolittle raid would not have been possible without the scouting job of the submarine that snuck into Tokyo bay to guide the plains in over the city. This film gives a rousing account of that mission as well as a beautifully done propaganda job to keep the troops and folks back home energized during the war. The film still stands up well as a genuine action adventure. Definitely a movie for those who enjoy great film.

I saw it at age seven, and the impact on me was no different than on adults. We struck back at the sneaking enemy. We were on the road to revenge for Pearl Harbor. Aside from all that, here is what I think today. Cary Grant was the perfect hero for us. He was calm and determined. He was real. Then there was John Garfield who spoke for all of us when he branded Japan as a police state. Dane Clark was very good, if somewhat emotional And Charlie of the Angels, John Forsythe, made his debut and he too was good. There was some propaganda, but really not that much. The movie demonstrated the perfect resolve of the USA to destroy the "Japs" as we called them in wartime. It is still a good flick.