Midway
Summary
Although it was see with mostly minus reviews from critic upon its release , 1976’sMidwayis surprisingly one of the most star - studded warfare movies of all metre . Directed by Jack Smight , best known for helmingAirport 1975,Midwaydramatizes the Battle of Midway , which marked a major turn spot in the Pacific Theater of Operations in the Second World War . It was n’t the first ( or last ) motion picture to chronicle the secret plan - change Battle of Midway – the most late one arrived in 2019 – but it is one of the 1 with the most noted actors in its cast .
When it was first unblock , Midwayreceived mostly negative reviews from critics , earning a “ icky ” Rotten Tomatoes score of just 41 % . But , perhaps owing to its star - studded roll full of fabled actors , it was a massive box bureau success , grossing around $ 66.4 million against its minor budget of $ 4 million ( viaThe Numbers ) . The movie itself does n’t precisely rank alongsideSaving Private RyanandApocalypse Nowas one ofthe greatest state of war films of all metre , but it does place alongside those picture in the impressiveness of its all - star ensemble .
Midway Was Packed With Major Hollywood Legends
From Charlton Heston to Henry Fonda, this movie has a heck of a line-up
The cast ofMidwayis mess - pack with self-aggrandising - name Hollywood actor . Ben - HurandPlanet of the ApesstarCharlton Heston leads the corps de ballet as Captain Matthew Garth . westerly motion-picture show ikon Henry Fonda , who had previously narrated John Ford ’s 1942 documentary about the Battle of Midway , act as Admiral Chester W. Nimitz . Hal Holbrook – best have sex as “ Deep Throat ” fromAll the President ’s Men(released the same twelvemonth asMidway ) – dally Commander Joseph Rochefort . The Magnificent Seven ’s James Coburn plays Captain Vinton Maddox , whileGilda ’s Glenn Ford plays Rear Admiral Raymond A. Spruance .
Akira Kurosawa ’s go - to lead man , Toshiro Mifune , play Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto . Robert Mitchum ofCape FearandThe Night of the Hunterfame bring Vice Admiral William F. “ Bull ” Halsey , Jr. , and Cliff Robertson , the Oscar - advance star ofCharly , plays Commander Carl Jessop . Robert Wagner , the television receiver icon who star inHart to Hart , has a supporting roleas Lieutenant Commander Ernest L. Blake . Suffice to say , it ’s a heck of a occupation - up . A casting manager would be lucky to get any of these incredible actors in their flick in the ‘ 70s .
Midwaywas release in the UK under the titleBattle of Midway .
Midway Also Featured Up-And-Coming Actors Who Became Big Stars
Some Midway actors were just about to make it
The sprawling cast ofMidwaydidn’t just let in stars who were famous at the time ; some of its lesser - bed mold members were just about to make it bighearted . Erik Estrada play Ensign Ramos “ Chili Bean”just one yr before he start play California Highway Patrol officeholder Frank “ Ponch " Poncherello in TV’sCHiPs . Tom Selleck had a small roleas the assistant to Captain Cyril Simard ( Simard himself was played byThe Beverly Hillbilliesstar Larry Pennell ) . Just four years later , Selleck would kick off his awing eight - season runnel as private investigator Thomas Magnum in the hit TV seriesMagnum , P.I.
Pat Morita has a small but pregnant role inMidwayas Rear Admiral Ryūnosuke Kusaka . By this stage , Morita had already begun play his repeat role as diner owner Matsuo “ Arnold ” Takahashi in the definitive sitcomHappy Days . But he was still eight years away from the Oscar - nominated role that would make him a timeless image : martial arts mentorMr . Miyagi inThe Karate Kid . The ensuing franchise would center around Morita ’s fan - favorite character .
Why Midway Received Lukewarm Reviews Upon Release
The film was criticized for recycling stock footage and throwing in an unnecessary romance
Despite have some of the world ’s greatest actor in its cast , Midwaywas conform to with halfhearted recapitulation from critic . The movie was in the main criticized for recycle stock footage of the factual Battle of Midway , take over from Ford ’s documentary , alternatively of recreating the events from scratch . Plus , it was panned for throwing in an unneeded romance . append on a pointless romanticist subplot would become a rough-cut criticism of war movies . Michael Bay’sPearl Harborwas lambasted for take one of the openhanded cataclysm in American chronicle and putting it in the background of a sappy , Titanic - style love Triangulum .
However , not every aspect ofMidwaywas poorly received by critics . Some division of the film were met with genuine praise , like Harry Stradling , Jr. ’s stunning cinematography(the footage that was fool sassy for the film , not take from a diachronic archive ) andJohn Williams ’ typically breathtaking musical grudge . Midwayisn’t the big war movie ever made , but it ’s not the worst , either .
Source : The Numbers
Custom Image by Milica Djordjevic
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Cast
Midway is a war picture channelize by Jack Smight , focusing on the pivotal Battle of Midway during World War II . The movie features an ensemble cast , including Charlton Heston , Henry Fonda , and James Coburn , and center on both the American and Nipponese naval strategies . employ real combat footage , Midway declare oneself a detailed depiction of the effect that marked a turn full stop in the Pacific Theater .
Midway is a war film directed by Jack Smight, focusing on the pivotal Battle of Midway during World War II. The film features an ensemble cast, including Charlton Heston, Henry Fonda, and James Coburn, and centers on both the American and Japanese naval strategies. Utilizing actual combat footage, Midway offers a detailed depiction of the events that marked a turning point in the Pacific Theater.
