Hell in the Pacific

Minor believability issues aside, and although I am not entirely sure what to make of the finale, I think this film is superb, second only to Deliverance in John Boorman's oeuvre. Its beginning is almost frustrating (the characters' stupidity is just angering), but it just keeps getting better and more mesmerizing as it goes. Marvelously directed and shot, and perhaps needless to say - stellar performances from Marvin and Mifune.

An American WW2 pilot crashes in the ocean and washes up on a tiny deserted island, only to find a Japanese Naval captain already marooned there. They have to overcome their natural desires to kill each other and work together to survive. Neither speaks the language of the other so there's very little dialog...Lee Marvin and Toshiro Mifune carry the film with a pair of excellent physical acting performances. Cop out ending, but a great flick nonetheless.

Great film.

People are people.

Boorman is bizarre (in this case not because of Zardoz). General plot progression is obvious right from the start; two sworn enemies fight to death, unable to manage, become friends in the common fight for survival. Well, that is not exactly it. And Lee Marvin's character being a totally stupid ,stuborn useless asshole prolongs the plot and becomes real fun. Direction is barely above average and pacing is usually off, what can I say, this is something unusual. Unconventional ending.