75th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor on DVD

Category: Blu-ray's and DVD's


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December 7, 1941 was “a date which will live in infamy.” The surprise attack on Pearl Harbor was the impetus for the United States to enter the war. It has been 75 years since that fateful day. History Channel has a new DVD recounting the attack and showing various aspects of Pearl Harbor during World War II.

First up is the 60th anniversary television coverage of the commemoration on that date. On a personal note: I was in Pearl Harbor for the 70th anniversary and they definitely take this date seriously.

Another of the six documentaries in this two-disc set looks at the “Unsung Heroes of Pearl Harbor.”

While many people concentrate on the air attack that crippled the US Naval fleet and much of the planes stationed on Oahu, the midget subs are often discounted. Yet the Japanese did send a small fleet of two-manned midget submarines to Hawaii that day.

The crew of the Ward encountered a midget sub early that morning and fired on it, sinking the submarine and killing the two Japanese sailors. Many consider this the first casualty of American involvement in the war. What would have happened had the Ward not sunk that submarine that was headed into the harbor?

Technical aspects of the weapons used that day provide an interesting documentary included in this commemorative set. Looking at the different planes – both on the Japanese and American side – as well as the midget subs and the bombs that were created specifically for shallow water is fascinating. Much of what was learned about these weapons went into use after the attack.

Another mostly unknown event that occurred in Pearl Harbor happened a couple years after the surprise attack. There is a separate section of the harbor that was not attacked. This area contained the munitions. Had the Japanese wiped out this they would have struck a much harder blow to the American military. But it was left largely in tact. However, a couple years later there was a large explosion in this site. What happened? Could it have been sabotage? This is a fascinating aspect to the Pearl Harbor story that is rarely discussed.

With all these documentaries, this collection is an interesting look at various aspects of December 7, 1941 and its aftermath. As the timeline to the attack counts down, viewers get an up close and personal look at this event, which is only matched by September 11, 2001.

Lionsgate’s 75Th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor is an educational as well as insightful look at this time in American history.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 20 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books.

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