Movie Review: Operation Bikini (1963)
Synopsis: The crew of a World War II American submarine are given orders to transport an underwater demolition team to Bikini Atoll so they can destroy a sunken American sub before the Japanese are able to salvage its advanced radar system. The already dangerous mission becomes even more complicated when they discover a Japanese fleet has already located the sub and started salvage operations.
Who's in it? The movie stars Tab Hunter, Frankie Avalon, Jim Backus, Scott Brady and Eva Six.
Review: I came across Operation Bikini a few days ago and wasn't completely sure I wanted to give the war movie a try until I saw it starred Jim Backus. I figured I hadn't seen him in too many pre-Gilligan's Island films, so I gave it a try. Overall, it proved to be a good choice.
I think one thing I found I really liked about this movie was the way it focused on the psychological effects of war as much as the patriotism and action. The trip to Bikini Atoll was as intriguing as the rest of the film because, as the stress of being in confined quarters took a toll on the demolition team, it was unclear if they would end up snapping, especially since the sailors were quick to mock them.
The mission itself was also extremely interesting, mostly because it seemed so impossible. The Marines had help from local rebels but were very much still outgunned and, with a Japanese salvage boat already in position, time wasn't on their side. It wasn't even as though they could get a lot of help from the sub that was waiting off the coast to take them home because there were quite a few more Japanese ships than one submarine could handle on its own.
The way they did end up performing their mission was entertaining and exciting, mostly because it relied heavily on a combination of good planning and luck. In other words, it was one of those plans that was brilliant but at the same time, could easily fall apart if they were spotted by the wrong person.
Despite the impossible situation, the movie did manage to keep things from getting too dark. Backus himself helped with this by providing some comic relief when needed, even though his character, Boatswain's Mate Fennelly was reasonably serious when needed.
That said, I wasn't a big fan of the Frankie Avalon dream sequences/songs that were scattered early in the film. Just because he was known for singing didn't mean the film needed to make time for that. I'm not saying they were bad songs. They just didn't seem necessary and were a bit forced.
Also, I was disappointed the movie didn't make more of an effort to add some depth to the beautiful rebel, Reiko (Six). She was basically there to have sex with Lt. Hayes (Hunter), distract the Japanese with her nakedness and then die. It was kind of a waste when there was an opportunity to mix in a strong, independent female character.
Final Opinion: I would have liked to have seen a bit less Avalon and a bit more Six but overall, this was a solid war movie with an interesting and exciting plot and an ending that wasn't easy to predict.
My Grade: B+
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Here are some reviews of other movies from 1963:
Movie Review: X: The Man with the X-ray Eyes (1963)
Movie Review: Lady Bug Lady Bug (1963)
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