Rating: 
Summary: A terrific psychological action picture
Review: "Hell in the Pacific" is a fairly early film in the career of John Boorman, a sort of stealth director whose name rarely occurs to you right away as one of the greats but who has done excellent work over many decades. "Deliverance" was four years off, "Excalibur" and "Hope and Glory" further out, and the clean and sharp "The General" a full three decades away.Lee Marvin is an American pilot washed up on the shore of a small Pacific island in the waning days of World War II -- only to find the one other inhabitant is a Japanese officer played by the awesome Toshiro Mifune. Although they carry on the larger war between them for a time, they gradually realize the only way either is going to survive and get off the island is if they work together. But can they do it? Mifune's dialogue is all in Japanese and not subtitled, so he is as mysterious and threatening to the viewer as he is to the Marvin character, but we can tell by his actions, self-built fortifications, and survival schemes that he's a smarter, more disciplined man than the American. For a time, all the Marvin character can think to do is pick away at the former's elaborate survival arrangements, and there is quite a bit of humor in that. Leonard Maltin and the other Amazon reviewers complain about the ending, which comes as an abrupt and dissatisfying shock, but I think it offers the viewer a choice of interpretations. It could be taken straight, as the objective fate of our two heroes, or it could suggest a metaphor for their (and our) inability to get along together, an image of humanity's potential ultimate fate -- something more in the characters' heads than on the ground.... Anyway, a fine, tight little movie.
Rating:
Summary: A terrific psychological action picture
Review: "Hell in the Pacific" is a fairly early film in the career of John Boorman, a sort of stealth director whose name rarely occurs to you right away as one of the greats but who has done excellent work over many decades. "Deliverance" was four years off, "Excalibur" and "Hope and Glory" further out, and the clean and sharp "The General" a full three decades away. Lee Marvin is an American pilot washed up on the shore of a small Pacific island in the waning days of World War II -- only to find the one other inhabitant is a Japanese officer played by the awesome Toshiro Mifune. Although they carry on the larger war between them for a time, they gradually realize the only way either is going to survive and get off the island is if they work together. But can they do it? Mifune's dialogue is all in Japanese and not subtitled, so he is as mysterious and threatening to the viewer as he is to the Marvin character, but we can tell by his actions, self-built fortifications, and survival schemes that he's a smarter, more disciplined man than the American. For a time, all the Marvin character can think to do is pick away at the former's elaborate survival arrangements, and there is quite a bit of humor in that. Leonard Maltin and the other Amazon reviewers complain about the ending, which comes as an abrupt and dissatisfying shock, but I think it offers the viewer a choice of interpretations. It could be taken straight, as the objective fate of our two heroes, or it could suggest a metaphor for their (and our) inability to get along together, an image of humanity's potential ultimate fate -- something more in the characters' heads than on the ground.... Anyway, a fine, tight little movie.
Rating: 
Summary: Best WWII film
Review: "War movies" generally exaggerate or trivialize or ignore the facts and rarely bring you into the actual feelings of the participants. This one does the best job of any, and makes Tom Hanks look like a piker.
Rating:
Summary: The Ultimate Unpredictable ending
Review: Although it may not have been the BEST ending to this otherwise fascinating look at the humanity of war. Nonetheless this is a very enjoyable and intriging look at an awkward turn of events for two enemies forced to confront their foe on solitary terms. The ending was war itself. Irony. Tragedy. Ending.
Rating:
Summary: A tense and comical classic!
Review: Being a hardcore fan of movies from Japan and China, Hell in the pacific is one of the few American arthouse movies I now owned and it is an absolutely fantastic piece of work. Lee Marvin and Toshiro Mifune is absolutely terrific in this movie. Their chemistry is as perfect as the story is tense and an absolutely hilarious esp during the scenes when they try to out do each other in their "turf fight". I crack up everytime each one of them mess up their own dirty little wicked plan in the most humourous fashion. The cinematography is stunning and I really appreciate the alternate ending. I find the original ending really sucks big time. Still a solid 5 star for this movie. 2 stars for both actors, 1 star for the movie, 1 star for the cinematography and 1 star for the alternate ending. There you go, a 5 star pure cinematic genius. I am very very happy with this DVD.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: Hell In The Pacific is one of the most excellent films of our times. Truly showing the eternal search for peace, yet with the first encounter with the globalization machine, the media, and propaganda, this is shattered.
Rating:
Summary: Stereotypes are shattered in this WW2 classic. AMAZING!!
Review: I am surprised that this movie is not more well known. I just happened to borrow a copy on VHS from my aunt, and the movie simply blew my mind. It shows another side of WW2 and really blasts apart the stereotypes of the Japanese soldier portrayed in American propaganda films and also the American soldier as many Japanese were led to believe. The movie pretty much goes like this : Lee Marvin crashes into the ocean somewhere in the pacific and ends up on an island with the enemy, a Japanese soldier. Their fears and angers are played out as they both struggle to capture one another. They fight back and forth and also play mind games with one another in order to gain the upper hand. Finally, they learn that in order to survive they must put aside their animosity and work together. They slowly become friends and grow to trust one another and work together to build a small raft to escape the island. The Cinematography and acting in the movie are top notch, the only complaint I have was the original ending, but I have heard the DVD comes with alternate endings. I was also pleasantly surprised that John Boorman directed this film. SEE THIS MOVIE!
Rating:
Summary: It's real!
Review: I have just finished writing my book about war, etc. titled: "A Tiger called Nancy." While flying in and out of Cambodia (1975) I saw many flight crews and ground people that had their story ended in 40 seconds (or less). The ending of Hell in the Pacific could have been more satisfying but I believe the directors (producers) point was to show the irrational (illogical) main feature of the incredibly stupid game called "war." Two guys finally get the point but...they lose.
Rating:
Summary: 98% Great!
Review: I love both these actors and this movie is both of them at their best. I really wish I understood Japanese so I could understand what Toshiro was saying. But he's such a great actor he practically translates for you through expression. This movie is beautiful, engaging, funny, and exciting. But the ending is much much to vague. It's almost as if the writers had no idea how to end it. But everything up until that last 30 seconds is very worth it.
Rating: 
Summary: One of the weirder war movies I've seen
Review: It's been a long time since I saw this on the big screen (I was in my teens), but I remember a few vivid images of this intense drama of two men, one American, one Japanese, stranded together on a tiny Pacific island. Although bitter enemies, the y each go through a transformation of character and purpose, forced upon them by their harsh circumstances. In a way, the film is as much a commentary on how mankind can get along, or how we can destroy each other, depending on which way the wind blows (literally, here). Parts of the movie seem to drag on with little development, while others are rich in humor, sadness, violence, and characterization. I didn't like the ending, as it seemed pointless. However, that may well be the message of the entire movie.
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