Make It In Black & White

Grey is a color mid-way between black and white.  A monochrome film is the perfect medium to highlight "battleship grey."  If you make a Navy war film, make it in black and white.  As my evidence of this fundamental truth, I submit for your viewing pleasure In Harm's Way (1965).  Great stars (John Wayne, Patrica Neal, Henry Fonda, Kirk Douglas, Dana Andrews, Burgess Meredith, George Kennedy, and even Larry Hagman in a small role) and an exciting action story!  The action begins with the attack on Pearl Harbor.   Actually, the action begins the night before the Japanese attack when Bond Girl, Barbara Bouchet, makes her appearance. In 1951, John Wayne and Patrica Neal were featured together in another Navy war film, Operation Pacific (filmed in black & white, of course).  They make a credible couple in both films.  Although the film is fictional (based on a book) the general storyline is a composite of true major events of the war in the Pacific theater.  The way to see an excellent example of monochrome filmmaking is In Harm's Way.                                                                            John Greanias Copyright 2013