"I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not go fast; for I intend to go in harm's way." - John Paul Jones
Early in the film, Rock Torrey (John Wayne) and his exec, Commander Eddington (Kirk Douglas) observe a new heavy cruiser sail from Pearl Harbor to join the fleet, and Wayne's next line contains the movie's title: "A fast ship going in harm's way!" This film is about exactly that - fast ships and men going in harm's way! "In Harm's Way" is about decisiveness when under pressure, about thinking fast on one's feet, with no regrets.
The scene in CINCPAC's private study right after CAPT Rock Torrey (Wayne) is promoted to Rear Admiral is a memorable one. CINCPAC (Henry Fonda) is rightfully impatient with Admiral Broderick (Dana Andrews), who is egotistical, but unwilling to decide to attack, much like Civil War Union General McClellan. CINCPAC recalls that Lincoln brought in a hard-nosed general named Grant who didn't care less about organization, he just pointed his battalions in the right direction, and he charged the enemy. The whole theme of the film is contained in CINCPAC's next line to Rock Torrey:
"You're gonna be my Grant!"
I also noticed that Director Otto Preminger briefly revisits his theme of an informant-plant as an in-house bad guy, a theme he covered more extensively with Peter Graves as the Nazi barracks spy in "Stalog 17".
The characters all have flaws, but each one rises to the occasion when the war calls on them to give their best. Rock Torrey does not waste a second driving straight into battle, no matter how impossible the odds! This is the classic stuff of Hollywood Magic and also of inspiration! Buy this DVD! There is inspiration in this old film, and as with the good old Duke, the actors capture all the best things about taking brave risks and decisive action when in harm's way.
On any level you want, "In Harm's Way" delivers!
Early in the film, Rock Torrey (John Wayne) and his exec, Commander Eddington (Kirk Douglas) observe a new heavy cruiser sail from Pearl Harbor to join the fleet, and Wayne's next line contains the movie's title: "A fast ship going in harm's way!" This film is about exactly that - fast ships and men going in harm's way! "In Harm's Way" is about decisiveness when under pressure, about thinking fast on one's feet, with no regrets.
The scene in CINCPAC's private study right after CAPT Rock Torrey (Wayne) is promoted to Rear Admiral is a memorable one. CINCPAC (Henry Fonda) is rightfully impatient with Admiral Broderick (Dana Andrews), who is egotistical, but unwilling to decide to attack, much like Civil War Union General McClellan. CINCPAC recalls that Lincoln brought in a hard-nosed general named Grant who didn't care less about organization, he just pointed his battalions in the right direction, and he charged the enemy. The whole theme of the film is contained in CINCPAC's next line to Rock Torrey:
"You're gonna be my Grant!"
I also noticed that Director Otto Preminger briefly revisits his theme of an informant-plant as an in-house bad guy, a theme he covered more extensively with Peter Graves as the Nazi barracks spy in "Stalog 17".
The characters all have flaws, but each one rises to the occasion when the war calls on them to give their best. Rock Torrey does not waste a second driving straight into battle, no matter how impossible the odds! This is the classic stuff of Hollywood Magic and also of inspiration! Buy this DVD! There is inspiration in this old film, and as with the good old Duke, the actors capture all the best things about taking brave risks and decisive action when in harm's way.
On any level you want, "In Harm's Way" delivers!