Pearl Harbor (film) On December 7, 1941, squadrons of Japanese warplanes launched a surprise attack on the U.S. armed forces at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. This infamous day jolted America from peaceful isolationism to total war and altered the course of history. It has an especially devastating impact on two daring young American pilots and a beautiful, dedicated nurse. Directed by Michael Bay. From Touchstone Pictures and Jerry Bruckheimer Films. Released on May 25, 2001, after a May 21 premiere aboard the USS John C. Stennis, a nuclear aircraft carrier, at Pearl Harbor. Stars Ben Affleck (Rafe McCawley), Josh Hartnett (Danny Walker), Kate Beckinsale (Evelyn Johnson), Cuba Gooding, Jr. (Dorie Miller), Tom Sizemore (Earl), Jon Voight (President Roosevelt), Colm Feore (Admiral Kimmel), Dan Aykroyd (Capt. Thurmann), Mako (Admiral Yamamoto), Alec Baldwin (Jimmy Doolittle), William Lee Scott (Billy), Mike Shannon (Gooz), Peter Firth (Captain of the West Virginia), Scott Wilson (General George Marshall). 183 min. Filmed in Cinemascope on location on Oahu, and in California and Texas. Released on video in 2001. It won the Oscar for Best Sound Editing for 2001 for George Watters II and Christopher Boyes, as well as nominations for Sound, Original Song (“There You’ll Be”), and Visual Effects.
