The Admiral [DVD]

This Japanese film (with English subtitles) tells the story of Yamamoto's role in Japan's early offensive on WW2 including attempts on his life by ultranationalist elements who regarded him as cowardly because he knew that war with America would be disastrous. It is cited elsewhere that he promised a short period of victory but his knowledge of American capacity for waging total war would ultimately overrun Japan's capacity for extended fighting. This tale is partly told through a reporter from the Japanese press and shows the conflicting attitudes in Japan as the war went on. A fascinating movie as it shows Japan's view.

I had this movie before and I consider, although full of praise to Admiral Yamamoto, it lulls you you believe that the Japanese Navy was a happy group except the likes of Admirals like Nagumo Well that being accepted it is a first rated movie in the Japanese language on one man's life story. It is not effective both in the story or the effects (the obvious computer graphics in 'The Admiral') to 20th Century Fox's 'Tora Tora Tora' but, I think it is more to the point than say Charleston Heston's acting of 'Midway'. A ranking of 4 stars need to be given.

The Admiral is an extremely well-made biopic, covering the career of Admiral Yamamoto during the late 1930's and WW2. The acting and directing are both excellent throughout. There is not a great deal of what might be considered "action" (aka over-the-top hollywood CGI) but the two major action sequences in the film - Pearl Harbor and Midway - are both executed well (if briefly). The focus of the film is Yamamoto himself, not the battles of the Pacific War (Guadalcanal is given only scant attention and Coral Sea is omitted entirely).Nevertheless, as a dramatic piece of cinema it works extremely well. The tragedy of Yamamoto was that he was opposed to Japan's entry into the war, and tried to prevent it. However, once his country did make that fateful step, he tried (unsuccessfully) to secure a quick victory and an early peace, because he realised that a protracted conflict would be disastrous for Japan. The film succeeds in portraying all of this exremely well, and anyone with an interest in Japanese history, or the Pacific War, will not be disappointed.

For me this was a bit too sentimental - as the good Admiral gets respect in doses that would put the average person in hospital. The battle scenes, although short, were good to view, but the overall impression one gets is of an un-critical appraisal of Yamamoto that is perhaps misplaced. Nice to see all those Japanese planes though.

I have seen most of Japan's major war films of the last 40 years and I must admit I was very pleasantly surprised by the generally accurate and balanced portrayal of the events that led Japan to war with the Western Allies from 1937 to 1941, and the first 2 years if that wider war. Yamamoto is portrayed as a wise and experienced warrior with a soft touch, in contrast to the more adventurous and rash Army officers, bent on victories and conquest. The character of a young and idealistic newspaper journalist is used to good effect both to present the unfolding events and create dialog which reveals Yamamoto's thoughts and fears. The battle scenes are very well done, mainly limited to the attack on Pearl Harbor and the Battle of Midway, and a well made scene of the final flight in which Yamamoto is killed. The film moves along brisquely and chronologically, mentioning all of the key events. There are a few minor historical innacuracies, but I strongly recommend this film to anyone interested in the Pacific War or Japanese history.

While some of the CAD elements may lack realism, the historical accuracy and depth of the characters are excellent. Western film has often trivialized Yamamoto, turning him into a cardboard cutout figure. Perhaps to be expected when the victor writes the history. This is an excellent portrayal of a person who obeyed orders while also doing his best to prevent the very tragedy that enveloped him and ultimately took his life and those of millions of his countrymen.

Great film! Very well done. Great acting, fascinating perspective on things. Beautiful cinematography. Engaging throughout, relatable characters.Just so my fellow friends from across the Atlantic are aware, this does not play in region 1 (i.e. USA) DVD players, unless you use a workaround of some kind. (The DVD is tied to region 2, which includes Europe, the UK, and Japan, among other places.) Here are at least two options I'm aware of:1) Use VLC player (free download) to open and play the DVD on your computer or other device (that can be hooked up to a DVD player or has one internally). It can play the DVD regardless of its region. (That's what I did.)2) Have your DVD player switch regions. Unfortunately, you have a limited number of times you can switch regions (only maybe 3 or 4 times?).

This tremendous Japanese film (with English subtitles) tells the story of the pragmatic and thoughtful Admiral Yamamoto as he is forced against his better judgment to take Japan in to Pearl Harbour, and the Battle of Midway. It's a film that covers a fairly wide sweep of history, and provides an insight, rarely available in the west, into the Japanese view of WW2. The actor playing Yamamoto is splendidly understated, and portrays the admiral as the sort of chap you'd be very pleased to have as a favourite uncle. The film is perhaps a tad overlong, but then it has a lot to say. Overall, it's excellent, and I'd say much more than 'just' a war film.

I have seen snippets of this incredible film on YouTube over the past few years, but I didn't have the whole thing until just now. This film, about the great Japanese admiral who led (albeit reluctantly!) the attack on Pearl Harbor and the Imperial fleet in the Battle of Midway, is well filmed, extremely well acted, and well constructed. It reminds me of "Tora, Tora, Tora," which I have always considered the greatest of the Pearl Harbor movies--but this one definitely ties with that film. We are given a lengthy and in-depth examination of the circumstances and internal conflicts that led up to the attack, as well as Yamamoto's gallant efforts to make his government realize the mistake they were making. I think this would be an excellent companion to "Tora, Tora, Tora," and I came away with a great respect for Admiral Yamamoto.

Great quality film - I watched it in Japanese language but English Subtitles, and thought it was perfect!! A lot of history books, documentaries and other war movies may touch on some of the attributes Adm. Yamomoto was perhaps best known for, such as his reluctance to attack the United States (and why) as well as his penchant for gambling for instance. While you do see those things in this film, I felt those attributes had more context, and seemed more real. In any case, you certainly got to see more of who he was as a person. Overall, I felt the movie flowed well, and told a great story from a perspective we don't often see, which unto its self was also refreshing. I own a lot of War Movies, and some I may not ever watch again, but this is one I can easily see myself watching over many times. If you're looking for a well told and engaging story told from the perspective of the Japanese, then I would really encourage you to check this movie out.

Réalisé avec talent, ce film retrace les dernières années de la carrière de l'amiral Yamamoto et sa participation plus ou moins volontaire à la marche à la guerre du Japon. Il est intelligemment mis en images, les détails historiques matériels sont remarquables (images de synthèse convaincantes), l'environnement musical parfaitement réussi. Bien-sûr, il donne le bon rôle à l'amiral sans vraiment faire de la demi-mesure, Il faut également apprécier la dramatisation "à la japonaise" des personnages et des situations, mais pour une fois qu'un film japonais sur l'histoire du Japon impérial arrive jusqu'à nous et nous apporte un autre point de vue que celui du vainqueur américain !Attention aux non-anglophones, sous-titrage anglais uniquement. Les nippophones bénécifient du 5.1.

Film ben fatto e godibilissimo anche se audio è in jap con sottotitoli in inglese. E' la storia del famoso Yamamoto,riprodotta in modo fedele.Consegna puntuale come di consueto.

確かに素晴らしい映画です。しかしながら、下に出ている英語のタイトルの貧弱なことには吃驚しています。山本艦隊長の本当の信念ある言葉と気持ちはこの貧弱な英語では全く通じていないことは１００％。次回にはもっとしっかりとした翻訳者でもって英語のタイトルを表してもらいたいです！