"Now here's a switch. Let's make movie filled with tension."
The military world my grandfathers had lived in their
entire lives was taking a new shape, one that scared
them because they didn't understand it. In reality,
all battefields were shifting. Politics were as
devisive as ever, and the leadership stronghold of a
generation was beginning to come apart.In the simplest terms, naval power was losing it's place as the most powerful military force. Planes were about to start winning the wars of the world. It was a difficult period to understand for my parents. But it was especially difficult for my grandfathers.
(Re) enter Clint Eastwood. As if the guy wasn't huge enough already, he had to go and show he could direct, too. The film was a bit of a challenge to get off the ground, if I recall correctly. It was especially difficult for the Director of Photography I'm sure, as Mr. Eastwood relied on a lighting style that was pretty realistic. The implication of action was relied upon heavily, with a great portion of the film shot in darkness.
The story Mr. Eastwood picked was a nerve-pincher for sure. He used the unsettling prospect of an invisible weapon able to deliver death from above for which we, the great US of A, had no system of detection. Red Scare was still a real threat, and the film took our commie fears to a character level.
Not a really great film, in the end. The first in a long line of works by Mr. Eastwood that keep showing his maturing prowess as a director, for better or worse.Truly the most notable thing about the film was the
lighting. It's like a horror film, almost. Truly
unique amongst it's peers for the cinematography
aspects.
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