Synopsis:

This re-edit of Pearl Harbor simply minimizes all the minor characters and distracting sub-plots. What’s left is the principle storyline of two best friends, the woman they both love, and how their lives are affected by the onset of WWII. With a new runtime of just under 2 hours, the movie feels more focused and poignant.

Intentions:

Reduce screentime involving minor characters and redundant exposition. Keeping in mind that Pearl Harbor is a fictional story based on a true event, I wanted to keep the essence of the main character arcs intact. This re-edit of Pearl Harbor simply minimizes all the minor characters and distracting sub-plots. What’s left is the principle storyline of two best friends, the woman they both love, and how their lives are affected by the onset of WWII. With a new runtime of just under 2 hours, the movie feels more focused and poignant.

Change List:

– Removed intro with Rafe/Danny as kids. – Less scenes with minor characters (pilots, nurses, Pearl mechanics, Pearl Admiral). – Shortened Rafe/Evelyn date before he leaves for Europe. – Removed Rafe trying to shoot his way out of cockpit. – Less exposition around Japanese planning of attack. – Removed Kamikaze letter to family. – Removed Petty Officer Doris Miller. Cuba libre! – Shortened chase through parachute hanger. – Removed Japanese spy tourist sub-plot. – Rafe/Danny get to their planes faster. No drive to second airfield. No gunfight against Zeroes. – Less hospital/nursing scenes. – Removed Rafe/Danny rescuing trapped sailors. – Removed mass funeral scene. – Removed Evelyn getting access to the command post. – Removed Evelyn’s history lesson voiceover at the end. – Lots of other minor cuts to improve pacing. In total, over 120 cuts! + Converted to black and white. + Added dust and scratches to simulate old film. + Added “Vintage Edition” under the main title, and re-editor credit at the end.

Additional Notes:

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Other Sources:

Special Thanks: