The few other reviewers at the time of my writing this review point out some of the goofs in this film, and it had many. I think that's inexcusable for a war movie so close in time to the end of WW II. Were there no Navy veterans among the production company? Were there no Navy experts to advise on the film?
Others have noted also, the misnomer in the name of the film. What was supposed to be the Battle of Coral Sea was maybe five minutes at the very end of the movie. It was film footage of naval battle action.
Now, all that aside, the plot for the story we see unfold in this film is a good one. That is, it could have been made into a very good movie. But the script is quite horrible – almost written in stiff, wooden segments. The characters are unbelievable. Aussie captives who immediately try to talk the newly arrived captured American sub commander into giving the enemy the information they want. I really suspected the Aussie nurse, Lt. Peg Whitcomb, to be a Japanese spy, and even thought the Aussie Major Jammy Harris was a plant.
The direction is equally bad. And the acting is weak at best. This is surely one of weakest roles and poorest performances Cliff Robertson ever had. My six stars for the film are because of the plot, with its possibilities. And, there was just enough intrigue, in spite of a poor script, to keep one interested in the outcome.
Others have noted also, the misnomer in the name of the film. What was supposed to be the Battle of Coral Sea was maybe five minutes at the very end of the movie. It was film footage of naval battle action.
Now, all that aside, the plot for the story we see unfold in this film is a good one. That is, it could have been made into a very good movie. But the script is quite horrible – almost written in stiff, wooden segments. The characters are unbelievable. Aussie captives who immediately try to talk the newly arrived captured American sub commander into giving the enemy the information they want. I really suspected the Aussie nurse, Lt. Peg Whitcomb, to be a Japanese spy, and even thought the Aussie Major Jammy Harris was a plant.
The direction is equally bad. And the acting is weak at best. This is surely one of weakest roles and poorest performances Cliff Robertson ever had. My six stars for the film are because of the plot, with its possibilities. And, there was just enough intrigue, in spite of a poor script, to keep one interested in the outcome.