And, based on your response (which I'm sure is very much like mine will be, for all the same reasons) I also have to see Clint's "Letters", which I haven't yet. I did see (I even bought a copy of) his "Flags of Our Fathers", and really liked it - though of course Saving Private Ryan remains The Ultimate (for many reasons). For some reason, in modern days we had yet to see ANY good WWII naval-related STORY LINE - perhaps this Yamato movie is the one, at long last.

(The best prior to this was Das Boot - at least the PEOPLE seemed as realistic as the special effects - though there was about zero character development - except, "Oh sh**, now we're starting to lose the war, and it's getting me depressed!" ) Das Boot was really more like a (quasi-) historical re-enactment, as opposed to an actual WWII story line.

Perhaps now, one day (for once and the first time ever) we'll get a modern/high-quality, accurate and inspiring movie about Pearl Harbor, to wash away the bad taste of that last one. Or, how difficult could it be for someone to come up with an interesting story line threading throught the early SW Pacific actions - complete with Houston, Chicago, Exeter, S-37, Hiryu, Repulse and POW, Buffaloes, Betties and Nells - wouldn't that be AWESOME?!!

Meantime, Thanks for the "holiday review", Donny - Merry Christmas to You, buddy - and do let me know (anybody), if you see any availability of this movie, at a reasonable price, on DVD!

Cheers,

-Matty