New movie about the USS Indianapolis starts filming in June.

[the ringo kid]

This one im giving a thumbs down on because--they hired Nicholas Cage to portray Captain McVay. Mario Peebles is either directing or producing.

BTW--just ordered THE movie about this tragedy: Mission of the Shark w/ Stacy Keach and Richard Thomas. It was a made for TV movie and was pretty darn good. I dont know how accurate Mission was--but it was pretty graphic for a made for TV movie.

 

[Faulkner]

Tragedy is right. Seems like there are numerous historical events from that time period that could be made into a movie aside from this event. In fact, an entire movie could be made from the heroic efforts of Lieutenant R. Adrian Marks and his PBY crew who were the first rescuers on scene.

Only slightly less tragic than the 879 crewmen who were lost was the treatment of the Indianapolis skipper, Captain McVay, that eventually led to his suicide many years later.

I think if Hollywood really wanted to make a blockbuster movie they could do so making a screenplay from the book "Clear the Bridge!" by Adm Richard O'Kane.

 

[wnwitzell]

I second a movie " Clear the Bridge!" It is a great read. Unfortunately, they would probably cast that weenie Tom Cruze.....

 

[the ringo kid]

Tragedy is right. Seems like there are numerous historical events from that time period that could be made into a movie aside from this event. In fact, an entire movie could be made from the heroic efforts of Lieutenant R. Adrian Marks and his PBY crew who were the first rescuers on scene.

Only slightly less tragic than the 879 crewmen who were lost was the treatment of the Indianapolis skipper, Captain McVay, that eventually led to his suicide many years later.

I think if Hollywood really wanted to make a blockbuster movie they could do so making a screenplay from the book "Clear the Bridge!" by Adm Richard O'Kane.

If I recall correctly? Sometime last year--the Navy finally apoligised to McVays family.I third that movie. Maybe a suggestion could be sent to Clint Eastwood............................

 

[M1A]

When I saw the thread title, I wasn't even going to have a look. Glad I did. You all covered it. I think another excuse to provide shark gore.
It was a dark time for the Navy. Lost a lot of heroes to the sharks and suicide.

 

[Harleystoo]

How about the title: "They were expendable"?

Besides the sad fact so many died at sea, I think the undervalued tragedy is the government dropping the full blame on McVay (the only ship captain to ever be court-martialed in US history for a war-time sinking). The insult of bringing in the Japanese sub commander to testify is unconscionable. Commander Hashimoto testified that he would of been able to sink the Indianapolis even IF it had been zig-zagging. And they still found him guilty. Shameful.

 

[Faulkner]

After his court-martial Chester Nimitz, who was the fleet admiral by then, remitted McVay's sentence and restored him to active duty. McVay retired in 1949 as a Rear Admiral. He shot himself in '68 with his navy issue revolver.

It wasn't until October 2000 that Congress passed a resolution that Captain McVay's record should state that "he is exonerated for the loss of Indianapolis." President Clinton signed the resolution.

I fail to see how liberal Hollywood can make a inspirational movie out of this whole tragic affair.

 

[jrd1976]

I read a book about the sinking and rescue when I was in High School. I
can't see how Hollywood will do justice to this unless they tell the whole story, including the trial and exoneration.