Tora! Tora! Tora! Blu-ray Review

20th Century Fox has delivered a superb frame-by-frame restoration of "Tora! Tora! Tora!" that exemplifies technical excellence. The 1080p/AVC-encoded transfer eradicates the dirt, debris, and compression artifacts that plagued previous releases, presenting a pristine image absent of any visible flaws such as hair, white specks, or scratches. Utilizing a 50 GB dual-layer disc ensures stability in the encode. Historically significant Eastman Color 35mm cinematography is revitalized with balanced skin tones, vibrant primary colors, and consistently strong contrast and black levels. Crucially, the natural grain remains intact, avoiding the smearing effects sometimes seen with overzealous DNR use, thereby maintaining the film's authentic texture.

This meticulous restoration translates to an impressive viewing experience. The detail and clarity observed in the transfer are monumental improvements, making everything tighter and better defined from previous iterations. Colors exhibit remarkable vividness while maintaining natural flesh tones across all scenes. This enhancement in video quality brings out the meticulous artistry behind the film, allowing audiences to appreciate the depth and detail intended by its creators. Fans and new viewers alike will find this Blu-ray presentation an outstanding testament to Fox's dedication to preserving and enhancing classic cinema.

The audio presentation of the Blu-ray edition of "Tora! Tora! Tora!" benefits from a remarkably enhanced DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track, an upgrade from the Dolby Digital 4.0 mix available on the DVD. This new mix significantly enriches the auditory experience, boasting a robust bass foundation and impressive clarity across all frequencies. Dynamic range is commendably wide for a 1970s film, particularly noticeable during the climactic aerial battle scenes. The rear channels are used sparingly but effectively, providing ambient noises such as oceanic sounds and aircraft movement that enhance the immersive environment. Notably, Jerry Goldsmith's compelling score gains additional breadth via the rear channels, giving it a resonant depth that complements the front-heavy mix.

Dialogue is consistently clear and well-balanced, ensuring that conversations are easily comprehensible in both English and foreign segments. Despite a minor instance of background hiss in the surround channels, the overall audio quality remains clean and free of major anomalies. The inclusion of Spanish, French, and Portuguese dubs—where only English dialogue is dubbed—along with multiple subtitle options, is a thoughtful addition that broadens accessibility. Overall, this audio presentation is exemplary for its era, delivering a fuller and more dynamic soundscape that significantly enhances the viewing experience.

The Blu-ray extras for "Tora! Tora! Tora!" provide an expansive dive into both the film's production and historical context. While many features are carried over from the Special Edition DVD, they remain invaluable. The highlight additions include "History vs. Hollywood," a comprehensive special juxtaposing cinematic portrayal with real events, expertly narrated by Burt Reynolds, and "AMC Backstory: Tora! Tora! Tora!", offering a concise overview of the film’s backdrop. The ten Fox Movietone news reels showcasing frontline footage from Pearl Harbor and the Pacific war are particularly noteworthy, adding authentic historical depth. The disc comes in an aesthetically pleasing 22-page digibook, containing stills, actor bios, and a short essay on the film’s production.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary by Director Richard Fleisher and Japanese Film Historian Stuart Galbraith IV: In-depth insights into the film's making.
• Documentary: Day of Infamy: Examines the historical impact of Pearl Harbor.
• History vs. Hollywood - Tora! Tora! Tora!: A Giant Awakes: Compares film events to real history.
• AMC Backstory: Tora! Tora! Tora!: Concise coverage of production background.
• Behind the Scenes Gallery: Exclusive behind-the-scenes photos.
• Production Gallery: Images documenting the film's production.
• Fox Movietone News: Authentic Pearl Harbor and Pacific war footage.
• Theatrical Trailer: Original promotional material for the film.

"Tora! Tora! Tora!" combines historical accuracy with a detailed narrative of the events leading up to the Pearl Harbor attack. The film focuses on the political and military strategies of both the American and Japanese sides, meticulously portraying the buildup to December 7, 1941. Shot as an international production with an American crew led by Richard Fleisher and a Japanese unit initially helmed by Akira Kurosawa—who was replaced by Kinji Fukasaku and Toshio Masuda—the film covers the nuanced perspectives and decision-making processes that culminated in the attack. Admirably, it avoids dramatized love triangles and instead emphasizes factual depiction, making it both a historical document and a gripping retelling of a critical event.

The film's strength lies in its documentary-like presentation, focusing on bureaucratic red tape, second-guessing of superiors, and covert maneuvers. Veteran actor Soh Yamamura portrays Admiral Yamamoto, the closest figure to a protagonist in this ensemble cast, delivering a stern and strategic performance that highlights his reluctance yet tactical necessity for the attack. Although the pacing can feel slow due to heavy exposition and political dialogue, the climactic attack sequence offers stunning aerial footage and visually impressive special effects, capturing the chaos and devastation of the raid with high production values indicative of its $25 million budget.

The Blu-ray release adds to the historical immersion by including both the American theatrical cut and the slightly longer Japanese version, providing audiences with a comprehensive view of the international collaboration behind its creation. Despite mixed critical reception upon release, "Tora! Tora! Tora!" has grown more appreciated over time for its dedication to authenticity and balanced storytelling, making it a superior alternative to more sensationalized retellings like Michael Bay's "Pearl Harbor." The film’s meticulous attention to detail—from real locations and equipment to accurate portrayals of military strategies—ensures its lasting value as an essential historical war drama.

The Blu-ray release of "Tora! Tora! Tora!" by 20th Century Fox is a commendable effort that brings a classic war film into the high-definition era with impressive results. The new remaster meticulously cleans up and color-corrects the original, resulting in visually stunning footage that showcases the film’s historical accuracy and panoramic scope. The high-definition transfer provides an unparalleled visual experience, significantly enhancing the film's intricate details and vibrant colors.

In addition to the upgraded visuals, the Blu-ray boasts a robust lossless audio track that enriches the viewing experience with clear and dynamic sound. This complements the film's action sequences and intense moments, providing an immersive audio-visual spectacle. The disc also includes all the features from the previous 2-disc DVD edition, ensuring fans access to comprehensive supplementary material. Moreover, it adds two additional documentaries on the making of the film, offering insightful behind-the-scenes perspectives.

Overall, "Tora! Tora! Tora!" may not stand among the greatest war films due to its narrative shortcomings, but it gains admiration for its remarkable historical fidelity and grand scale. The Blu-ray edition is a must-have for aficionados, presenting the film in its best possible condition with enhanced picture and sound quality, alongside valuable bonus content. This release is highly recommended for both long-time fans and new viewers alike.