The 2019 war film Midway, directed by Roland Emmerich, airs on Film4 tonight at 6:45pm and is also available to rent on Amazon Prime and Apple TV. The film has earned widespread praise for its historical accuracy and vivid portrayal of Second World War events.
Accurate retelling of Pacific Theatre events
Midway covers pivotal real-life events from the first six months in the Pacific Theatre of World War II, including the Attack on Pearl Harbour, right through to the Battle of Midway. It is a remake of the 1976 classic, but veterans and historians have suggested it represents a more accurate portrayal of actual events when compared to the 1976 film and 2001's Pearl Harbour.
Naval History and Heritage Command director Sam Cox said: "Despite some of the 'Hollywood' aspects, this is still the most realistic movie about naval combat ever made."
Audience and critical reception
The dedication to accuracy has struck a chord with audiences. One viewer commented: "It's very authentic and natural from beginning to end. Historical accuracy is clearly one of its strengths, and the acting is first rate. The CGI is sensational. As a pilot myself, I admire the flying and combat scenes." Another person shared: "Midway delivers thrilling aerial combat and honours WWII history with impressive visuals. Roland Emmerich's spectacle-heavy style captures the scale of the battle, yet the film feels more like a respectful re-enactment than a gripping drama."
One reviewer on Rotten Tomatoes hailed it as "the best war movie ever", while another declared it "I think it is pretty interesting to watch and has been my favourite movie for a while."
Plot, cast, and production
The film chronicles events from May 1942 when the Imperial Japanese Navy mounted an assault on Midway island, hoping to establish it as a base for strikes against Pearl Harbour and to target America's west coast. However, US Navy intelligence had already got wind of their intentions. Admiral Chester Nimitz dispatches two American task groups equipped with three aircraft carriers to lay an ambush for the Japanese fleet, setting the stage for one of history's most decisive naval engagements.
The cast includes Woody Harrelson, Ed Skrein, Patrick Wilson, Luke Evans, and musician Nick Jonas. Despite the great cast, the film was a box office bomb at the time of its release. Emmerich began the production as a passion project and had trouble getting financial support, but eventually sufficient funds were raised, and he was committed to making historical authenticity paramount throughout.
