Better Late Then Never

As Good As It Gets

I didn’t really have many expectations going into the movie (good or bad), but I actually really enjoyed it. I really liked the characters and the banter between them.

There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.

As a retired Marine Colonel, I have to say this movie contains one of the best lessons in leadership a movie could ever offer. Richard Jaeckel as (LCDR Webb) comes to ADM Halsey's (Cagney) state room to tell him he doesn't want command of his squadron because of the planes shot down that day and the men killed including its' commanding officer because he doesn't want the responsibility. Halsey explains as commander, he lost the same C.O. plus two destroyers and several hundred other men and he's not resigning. Along with the movie "Twelve O'Clock High" - "The Gallant Hours" is a great lesson in leadership because the commanders fore the men under their command to take stock of both the situation as well as their responsibilities.

My first viewing was a surprise. I had no idea that serious documentary style film-making occurred before the 1970s. The second surprise was during the credits. James Gagney provided funding for this film.Despite Admiral Halsey's reputation, this film paints him as a reasoned thoughtful man who respected his subordinate officers and their men. Highly accurate the film paints the struggle to hold Guadalcanal against almost impossible odds.If you, as a film lover, are looking for a high action film, you might want to pass. This is more the study of the man who won the battle of Guadalcanal with thought, foresight, and more than a touch of daring. In fact there is not one single battle scene with the only real violence taking place when "Washing Machine Charlie" bombs a land base that Halsey happens to be on.The film chronicles the short span of time (five weeks) between Halsey taking over the command of South Pacific forces and the victory over Yamamoto at Guadalcanal.The film is also interesting in that Halsey is never once depicted as bloodthirsty or violent, only that he is determined to rise to the challenge of the Japanese Navy's superior numbers and hold a hard won beachhead on the aforementioned island.Admiral Halsey is quoted as saying: "There are no great men, only great challenges that ordinary men are forced by circumstances to meet." This film matches that sentiment in its script, direction, and production values.The only thing I found the least bit annoying about the film was the chorus in the background. Beyond that this film stands up well even today, some fifty years after it was made.A must see for anyone interested in Halsey, the U.S. Navy during World War II, logistics, and/or strategy.

Former actor Robert Montgomery's contemplative account of William Halsey's involvement in the pivotal Guadalcanal campaign is an unusual war film in that it features no battle scenes and no overt heroics. Much of the 'action' takes place in Halsey's office where he holds meetings with his trusted officers to discuss strategy and tactics. The officers are really only there to provide an alternative – i.e. incorrect – point of view so that the wise old admiral can set them straight, which he always does. Even when he briefly considers changing his mind, he shakes his head and dismisses the idea: 'You don't change your mind,' he asserts, 'you go in a different direction.' This is a Cagney-Montgomery co-production, which might account for the decision to dispense with any battle scenes. Presumably, although MGM distributed the picture, they provided no cash for the budget so that the lack of action is a result of financial prudence rather than any artistic or dramatic reasons. The film suffers as a result. It's almost two hours long, which is too long for a war film that contains no scenes of war. Director Montgomery does open up the film a little with Halsey paying a visit on the troops on Guadalcanal, the strategically vital island that must be held at all costs. Not much happens though, other than Halsey leaving all the guys thinking what a swell guy he is.The story is presented in a semi-documentary style with Montgomery providing the narration. It borders on the superfluous at times: we see Japanese commander Yamamoto photographing a flower, and when you condense Montgomery's narration down to the essentials, pretty much what you get is 'Here is Yamamoto photographing a flower.' When Montgomery isn't describing what we're looking at we're treated to some choral music that would be more at home in some movie about the Arthurian legends than a film set on a battle cruiser.James Cagney plays Halsey – who, it has to be said, is practically unknown in the UK – and he's pretty good, which is just as well because he more or less has to carry the picture. Like the talking pictures, Cagney had matured and refined his performances. Age was turning him into rather a stout fellow, and he could no longer get by on jerky, pugnacious energy, so it was necessary for him to adapt, and he was a wholly better actor for it. Others have noted that he toned down his mannerisms for the film, but he'd been playing most of his roles like this for the best part of a decade.Montgomery's direction is pedestrian at best. The storyline doesn't really give him a lot of scope for variety I suppose, and things fall a little flat at times. The script struggles in its attempts to effectively depict the strains and pressures of command while still presenting Halsey as some flawless, super-human strategist. The nearest it ever comes to relating the psychological burden of making decisions that can send hundreds or thousands of men to their deaths is in one quietly affecting scene when Halsey sits alone in his darkened office, his eyes invisible in the shadows beneath his brow, and listens to the sounds of battle around him.Overall, this isn't a bad film. It's not a particularly memorable one either. When I arrived at its page on IMDb to post this review I discovered that I had already rated it – even though I thought I was watching it for the first time. The rating I had given it then was a 4, but I've upped that now to 5. A sign, perhaps, that you need to be of a certain demographic to appreciate this effort.

I just love this movie. I am a huge fan of Adm. Halsey. Am also a Navy vet. I wish they would put it out on DVD. Since it is out of print it is very hard to find a copy, there are some used ones thru Amazon.com, but am a little leery of buying one thru this method. Cagney does a terrific job as Halsey, the resemblance is uncanny. I think John Wayne's portrayal of Adm. Torrey in "In Harms Way" is somewhat based on Adm. Halsey, at least that is how it makes me feel. Any fan of WWII movies, particularly Pacific naval ones, would love this movie. I noticed one of the posters stated he had served with Halsey, I truly envy you! Guess it would've been hard since I wasn't born yet!