Tora ! Tora ! Tora ! was the attack code name given to Japanese fighter pilots to use to signal the green light to commanders in prior to the bombing of Pearl Harbor. It is also the title of one of the beset films I've ever seen. Tora ! Tora ! Tora ! is a film that describes the events leading up to the attack on Pearl Harbor. This film unlike any other I've ever seen, presents a thorough balance of these events as seen by both the Japanese and United States side.. Most films, especially films about wars are projected through one set of eyes, usually with a slant towards the filmmaker's nationality of choice.
             Tora ! Tora ! Tora ! allows the "enemy" to be seen as reasonable humans ( as much as war will allow) with calculated decisions to make from their point of view as opposed to a people marching throughout the Far East with reckless abandon.
             The Japanese were reeling under the U.S. and Britain oil embargo and were looking to seize the opportunity of their perceived Asian nationalism as the western powers were busy in Europe. The Japanese signed the Tri-Partite pact which in a sense put in motion Japanese aggression towards the U.S.
             From the beginning of the film, the directors allow the viewer the many clues to the historical acuteness of the film and the fair and balanced directoring. The film starts off with a changing of the guard of Commander's in Chiefs ( Incoming Yamamoto and outgoing Yoshida). While the film does not go in to background, this was due to the Japanese navy and army constant difference of military opinion. The actual changing of the guard also offers some clues to Japan's rise to worldwide prominence. I'm assuming the uniforms and protocol of the Japanese navy was somewhat authentic. If so, one can easily see striking U.S. and British military influence on the Japanese as they emulated these two powers as Japan was nation building. The dress whites worn by t...