Most people can probably name five or six different moments that defined World War II, but a lot of people forget about how much Australia played a role in the War of the Pacific. It was all too real of a concept, that Japan was knocking on their doorway for conquest too, so Australia played an active role in getting the Allies a hand-hold on certain territories and shipping lanes in the south Pacific. This helped to impede Japan's advance, during the early days of the Pacific campaign. One event that changed the course of the war was the Battle of the Bismark Sea. The events leading up to the start of the Battle of the Bismarck Sea are chronicled, loosely based on real events, in this great comedy, drama, staring Jack Lemmon.
Lemmon plays Lt. Rip Crandall, who is given the command of the only sailing ship in the Navy, the USS Echo. His experience as a yacht sailor, before the war, gets him the promotion. So, you already feel like, Lemmon and his crew will be fighting the war from way behind the enemy lines. They are the back-up to the back-up. Their little sail boat will handle duties of a non-combat manner. It is that underlying feeling of disrespect that Rip feels, but keeps it under wraps, because the ulterior choice is possible death on the high seas of war. It also helps to enhance the comedy level in the film, while not stepping on certain sensitivities, that could occur in a war-comedy.
He is given a simple transportation mission, that involves transporting the Echo to a base for an unknown mission for the Navy. He just has to drop the ship off and fly back home. As the film unwinds, we realize that the Echo's mission has much more meaning to it. An importance that has to happen before the Allies launch their attack, which becomes the Battle of the Bismark Sea. To give you a more modern comparison; the mission in the Wackiest Ship in the Army is to the Battle of the Bismark Sea, as to, what Rogue One (2016), was, to Star Wars (1977). It's that preliminary act that needs to happen before the big attack happens.
There are other interesting plot threads involving Rip's 2nd in command, Ensign Tommy J. Hanson (Ricky Nelson), who plays the young, calm Ensign, who actually looks at Lemmon's Lieutenant with total respect. We also get to hear the popstar pipes of Nelson, as he sings the song, "Do You Know What it Means to Miss New Orleans", with Lemmon on piano. What is wonderful about Lemmon in this film is the character's humanity and kindness. He is already taking care of the well being of this crew, even though he plans not to accept this mission. Of course, that doesn't happen and into the mission they go.
The mission grows into a spying mission to watch the Japanese shipping lanes, but the Echo has to enter enemy territory to do it, plus Rip will be replaced by another Officer (Richard Anderson). It is here where we see Rip's true concern for his young Ensign and his inexperienced, but brave crew, begins to come out. It is here when he realizes he is the man for the job. That this mission will be more successful if he is there. We also meet the Australian scout, Patterson (Chips Rafferty), who will take over the reconnaissance of the Japanese. It is his character that guides the rest of the characters and the film forward. His presence gives the audience that reassurance that everything may come out alright. But, we have to get through the mission first.
This film isn't supposed to be a knock-down action packed film. It isn't even a high-strung comedy. It isn't trying to insult anyone. It just wants to make people laugh and remember a part of history that sometimes gets lost. It has the feeling of an early 60s comedy-drama, with a pinch of historical acknowledgement. It is a good one for Jack Lemmon fans and an interesting glance at superstar Ricky Nelson. It's a satisfying hour and a half of 1960s movie flare.
6.7 (C- MyGrade) = 7 IMDB.
Lemmon plays Lt. Rip Crandall, who is given the command of the only sailing ship in the Navy, the USS Echo. His experience as a yacht sailor, before the war, gets him the promotion. So, you already feel like, Lemmon and his crew will be fighting the war from way behind the enemy lines. They are the back-up to the back-up. Their little sail boat will handle duties of a non-combat manner. It is that underlying feeling of disrespect that Rip feels, but keeps it under wraps, because the ulterior choice is possible death on the high seas of war. It also helps to enhance the comedy level in the film, while not stepping on certain sensitivities, that could occur in a war-comedy.
He is given a simple transportation mission, that involves transporting the Echo to a base for an unknown mission for the Navy. He just has to drop the ship off and fly back home. As the film unwinds, we realize that the Echo's mission has much more meaning to it. An importance that has to happen before the Allies launch their attack, which becomes the Battle of the Bismark Sea. To give you a more modern comparison; the mission in the Wackiest Ship in the Army is to the Battle of the Bismark Sea, as to, what Rogue One (2016), was, to Star Wars (1977). It's that preliminary act that needs to happen before the big attack happens.
There are other interesting plot threads involving Rip's 2nd in command, Ensign Tommy J. Hanson (Ricky Nelson), who plays the young, calm Ensign, who actually looks at Lemmon's Lieutenant with total respect. We also get to hear the popstar pipes of Nelson, as he sings the song, "Do You Know What it Means to Miss New Orleans", with Lemmon on piano. What is wonderful about Lemmon in this film is the character's humanity and kindness. He is already taking care of the well being of this crew, even though he plans not to accept this mission. Of course, that doesn't happen and into the mission they go.
The mission grows into a spying mission to watch the Japanese shipping lanes, but the Echo has to enter enemy territory to do it, plus Rip will be replaced by another Officer (Richard Anderson). It is here where we see Rip's true concern for his young Ensign and his inexperienced, but brave crew, begins to come out. It is here when he realizes he is the man for the job. That this mission will be more successful if he is there. We also meet the Australian scout, Patterson (Chips Rafferty), who will take over the reconnaissance of the Japanese. It is his character that guides the rest of the characters and the film forward. His presence gives the audience that reassurance that everything may come out alright. But, we have to get through the mission first.
This film isn't supposed to be a knock-down action packed film. It isn't even a high-strung comedy. It isn't trying to insult anyone. It just wants to make people laugh and remember a part of history that sometimes gets lost. It has the feeling of an early 60s comedy-drama, with a pinch of historical acknowledgement. It is a good one for Jack Lemmon fans and an interesting glance at superstar Ricky Nelson. It's a satisfying hour and a half of 1960s movie flare.
6.7 (C- MyGrade) = 7 IMDB.