10 Most Intense Aerial Dogfights In War Movies
8. A Terrible Resolve - Tora! Tora! Tora!
The 1970 film that dramatizes the Pearl Harbour attack and the events leading up to it initially received a lukewarm response upon its release. This may have been due to its procedural storytelling approach and the filmmakers' decision to cast relatively unknown actors in key roles (a choice that enabled audiences to further immerse themselves in the film's story and be invested in the characters).
The setpieces reflect the film's toned-down style and are filmed in a relatively conventional manner. The scene featuring the Americans' response to the bombing and their clash with Japanese A6M Zero fighter planes is particularly unique to its lack of dialogue and accompanying musical score, instead choosing to focus on the excellent sound design that shines through the planes' roaring engines and gunfire.
It also features remarkable aerial cinematography that lets the viewer take in the action and appreciate the dizzying heights and consequent peril that the pilots were in during the actual skirmishes.