The Gallant Hours

About this movie

Though not a single battle scene is depicted on screen, “The Gallant Hours” ranks as one of the most extraordinary war pictures ever made. As a study of a remarkable man enduring the endless strain of command, it also stands as one of the screen’s most affecting biographies. James Cagney forsakes all mannerisms in his restrained and intelligent performance as the legendary Admiral William F. “Bull” Halsey. In fascinating detail, the film follows Halsey during those crucial few days in which he, as commander of the South Pacific forces, makes the courageous decisions that turned the tide of battle against the Japanese in late 1942. It also enters the command post – and mind – of the Japanese admiral, Yamamoto (James T. Goto), as he and Halsey fight a deadly battle of wits. Sharing credit with Cagney for the film’s stamp of authenticity is producer-director Robert Montgomery, who served under Halsey in the Pacific during those gallant, crucial hours.