The Gallant Hours
Directed by Robert Montgomery
Written by Beirne Lay Jr. and Frank D. Gilroy
1960/USA
Cagney-Montgomery Production
First viewing/Amazon Instant
Fleet Admiral William F. ‘Bull’ Halsey Jr.: Half a carrier is better than none.
Robert Montgomery was never afraid to experiment in the films he directed. Some of his experiments worked better than others.
As the film begins, it is 1945 and Admiral Bull Halsey (James Cagney) is retiring after a long career in the U.S. Navy. We segue to flashback and the story focuses on the time immediately after Halsey took command of naval operations in the South Pacific. It was then that he was instrumental in the U.S. victory on Guadalcanal against heavily superior Japanese forces.
We follow the planning and strategy for various operations, including the bombing mission that killed Japanese admiral Yamamoto. Halsey maintains a quietly decisive demeanor throughout. With Dennis Weaver as an aide.
This film features lots and lots of voice over narration that gives it a documentary-like feel. Unfortunately, it is a rather distancing device and despite all the combat involved there are few moments of excitement. Worse, the entire film is scored with choral music. It is so odd to hear angelic voices pop up at the most random moments! I read that there was a musician’s strike at the time but I can’t think of a less appropriate story for a choir. Cagney is admittedly fantastic, as usual, as the stolid admiral.
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