THE GALLANT HOURS Movie Review

1960 Robert Montgomery

Robert Montgomery's final feature is a cinematic hagiography. It's obvious from the opening second that he and co-producer James Cagney intend to venerate their subject, Adm. William F. “Bull” Halsey, and that's exactly what they do. Their methods, however, are so unusual as to border on the experimental. This is a war movie without battle scenes, indeed without any physical action, and yet the filmmakers still employ a voice-over narrator (Art Gilmore) to lead viewers through the simple story, commenting on individual characters and filling in the blanks.

They begin on November 22, 1945 at the Admiral's (Cagney) retirement aboard a battleship. After a brief ceremony, he goes to his quarters to change into civilian clothes, as tradition demands, and to reminisce on his career. He focuses on the early days of the war, specifically his taking command of Pacific operations during the battle of Guadalcanal. With the assistance of a few trusted aides, including his pilot (Dennis Weaver), Halsey embarks upon a risky strategy to turn the tide of the war.

As Halsey is revealed, his personal life, decision-making process, and leadership qualities are constantly compared to his Japanese counterpart, Adm. Yamamoto (James T. Goto, also a technical advisor). The parallels between the two are presented without subtlety, though the filmmakers have to alter timelines to make one important dramatic point about each side's efforts to eliminate the other leader. Montgomery and writers Frank D. Gilroy and Beirne Lay Jr. give the Japanese characters the same kid glove treatment that the Americans receive because the film is not pro-American propaganda, it is pro-military propaganda. Halsey is the subject, but Montgomery's admiration for the Navy crosses national boundaries.

The use of the omniscient narrator gives the film a false air of objectivity and accuracy. To a man, these guys are tough, intelligent, dedicated, compassionate, resourceful, and each of them gives 150% all the time. Surrounding them is one of the strangest musical scores ever used in a mainstream Hollywood film. Composed by Roger Wagner and sung by his Chorale, it sounds like it comes from the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. In this context, it gives the film a religiosity that's inappropriate, at best.

On the other side of the ledger, James Cagney—incapable of a bad performance—delivers one of the most tightly controlled of his career. Though his most strenuous activity is strolling into a bomb shelter, he is able to convey Halsey's passion for his job in more subtle ways. Most importantly, he is able to focus on any man he's talking to with total attention. That is certainly one key characteristic of leadership, and Cagney makes it the center of Halsey's character. His commitment to his men and his genuine empathy with their losses both seem absolutely believable.

In the end, The Gallant Hours is too one-dimensionally praiseful and static to recommend it to most viewers. Cagney's fans and those with pleasant memories of the Navy will be more forgiving.

Cast: James Cagney (Fleet Adm. William F. Halsey Jr.), Dennis Weaver (Lt. Cmdr. Andy Lowe), Ward Costello (Capt. Harry Black), Richard Jaeckel (Lt. Cmdr. Roy Webb), Les Tremayne (Capt. Frank Enright), Robert Burton (Maj. Gen. Roy Geiger), Raymond Bailey (Maj. Gen. Archie Vandergrift), Karl Swenson (Capt. Bill Bailey), Harry Landers (Capt. Joe Foss), James T. Goto (Adm. Isoroku Yamamoto), Walter Sande (Capt. Horace Keys), Vaughn Taylor (Cmdr. Mike Pulaski), Leon Lontoc (Manuel), Carleton Young (Col. Evans Carlson), James Yagi (Rear Adm. Jiro Kobe), Carl Benton Reid (Vice Adm. Robert Ghormley), Selmer Jackson (Adm. Chester Nimitz), Nelson Leigh (Adm. Callaghan), John McKee (Lt. Harrison Ludlum), Tyler McVey (Adm. Ernest J. King), William Schallert (Capt. Tom Lamphier), John Zaremba (Maj. Gen. Harmon), Richard Carlyle (Fr. Gehring), Herbert Lylton (Adm. Murray), Sydney Smith (Adm. Scott), Art Gilmore (Narrator); Written by: Frank D. Gilroy, Beirne Lay Jr.; Cinematography by: Joe MacDonald; Music by: Roger Wagner; Technical Advisor: James T. Goto, Capt. Joseph U. Lademan, Capt. Idris B. Monahan. Producer: James Cagney, Robert Montgomery, United Artists. Running Time: 115 minutes. Format: VHS.