Brilliant and touching

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

The storyline feels a little thin and moth-eaten in parts but this sequel is plenty of fun.

There's a more than satisfactory amount of boom-boom in the movie's trim running time.

"Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo" is one of the best movies made during the war years. While the typical war film made during WWII avoided realism in favor of jingoism and propaganda, this one excels because it tried to get the facts right and plays almost like a documentary merged with a typical Hollywood drama. When you read about the efforts that MGM went to make the film, you realize it was a real labor of love and the movie holds up remarkably well today. This film is about the famous Doolittle Raid on Japan which occurred in 1942. While the actual physical impact of the bombing raid was not especially great, it was a bit public relations victory-- bolstering American morale and reducing the Japanese sense of invulnerability which had been prevalent. The movie begins shortly before the men were recruited for the raid and follows them through training, the actual raid and the fate of a bomber crew. Incidentally, all the planes were lost in the raid...it was intended as a one-way mission.What makes the film strong is not just the emphasis on realism but the acting and direction. Van Johnson was sort of an 'everyman' for the audience to love and root for...and MGM did a great job ladling on the sentimentality but not laying it on too thick. Having supporting actors like Spencer Tracy, Robert Walker and Robert Mitchum sure didn't hurt, either! All in all, a great film and an excellent tribute to these crazy but very brave men who did what their country asked. As for the best scene in the movie, it's a little one with no dialog...as you see a Chinese woman crying silently as some of the injured Americans are being taken to safety. Stunning.By the way, an excellent but over-the-top film about crew captured by the Japanese following the Doolittle Raid is also portrayed in Twentieth Century Fox's "The Purple Heart". It's an excellent film but occasionally lapses into propaganda mode a few times too often to be taken as seriously as "Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo".

I was somewhat disappointed with this film and can only give it a charitable 5. Maybe patriotism is adding a rosy glow for other reviewers? The story is a good one and tension does build effectively towards the launch of the mission. Is the plane going to start? Is the takeoff going to be successful? After that, the actual raid is somewhat bland and lacking in tension, and the aftermath of injury and rescue is just corny and unconvincing. It was no doubt made on a limited budget, and it shows just about everywhere. Van Johnson carries the film, such as it is, with his boyish charm, hard to fault. Spencer Tracy acts with power and charisma, only wish we saw more of him. Robert Walker is effective in his part, and something of the emerging screen personality of Robert Mitchum comes through in his part. Otherwise, I found the script shallow and the acting painful. Phyllis Thaxter is unrelentingly saccharine in her part. The other actors seem under-rehearsed, or under-directed. They deliver their lines with verve but seem to just want to get them out and get off. There is rarely any impression that they are listening to other characters and considering their replies. The whole cast is two-dimensional and this really prevents the viewer engaging with them to any extent. It's an adventure story, sure, but it would be good if you felt more empathy for their personalities and concern for their survival! No doubt it fitted the bill at the time, but its value for present-day viewers is limited.

Sturdy, determined Spencer Tracy (as James "Jimmy" Doolittle) organizes the US response to the World War II attack on Pearl Harbor. Mr. Tracy, and the film, make it obvious the Japanese stood no chance of besting our American forces. Note the number of men who respond to Mr. Tracy's repeated invitations to "drop out" of the dangerous mission. Despite Tracy's presence, the film stars Van Johnson (as Ted Lawson). Mr. Johnson's performance is, at times, reminiscent of a younger Tracy; in context, it's a little distracting. Still, Johnson essays the star-making sacrifice, begun by John Gilbert in MGM's "The Big Parade", effectively.Despite the big parade of men lining up to go fight in the actual war, MGM was able to find a great cast of available men; who were, presumably, persuaded to postpone enlisting. Among the servicemen, Robert Walker (as David Thatcher) is a clear stand-out. At home, Phyllis Thaxter (as Ellen Lawson) is sweet and refreshing. And, making the most of a small role would have to be Robert Mitchum (as Bob Gray). The story is very good, albeit heavily clichéd on film; it was based on the real Ted Lawson's story. Director Mervyn LeRoy's film version features fine music and photography. The highlight of "Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo" is the exciting, and well-constructed, title event.******* Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo (11/15/44) Mervyn LeRoy ~ Van Johnson, Spencer Tracy, Robert Walker

Hello, dear mid-'40s, Hollywood-style, low-budget, war films fans EVERYWHERE!!! :PI was just wondering where could I find this one's script 'coz I can't find it anywhere, it seems(!) :( I need it for a subtitling job, BADLY(!) As for the film itself, I believe it's awful, as all the other war(-time) ones, made by the Americans FOR the Americans and their kitsch patriotic spirit. :) Furthermore, even though this may "sound" offensive to some, it's MY pov and I have my FULL rights to it; freedom of expression. :) Now, WHY is it awful, imao? Well, because it depicts those very funny made characters, talking like a machinegun, the Japanese soldiers who don't know anything else BUT beheading pows, and last but not least, those very energetic women-of-arms who act more than boyish. They remind me of Lt. Yarrrr. :))~ S.M. ~