Against the Sun

Don't except a lot to see except a lifeboat, water and three guys trying to survive. But to me that was enough because you live the whole movie like it was you that was trapped on the Pacific Ocean. The problems they have to get drinking water and food make you realize in what kind of hell they had to live during so long alone on the ocean. And when you know it's based on a true story then it makes it always a bit more special when you watch a movie like this one. I thought the actors did a good job. The conversations they had during all that time seems all plausible to me. What else would you do if you were surrounded by water without any land in sight? My wife and I certainly did enjoy this movie.

I have to say I was not expecting much when I watched this movie so I was glad that I more than wrong. Just a great movie all around, really well acted and a great pace that had me enthralled from the get go. Felton really proved his acting chops and should hopefully open some more doors for him. I thought Aldrich was great as well and Dillahunt as well.

Obviously not a big budget blockbuster and further proof that a good story and solid acting can go along way. The ordeals that these men faced was really something and it was portrayed magnificently by the director. I would love to see the real back story of these men and hopefully if they ever get a chance to add it in a package with extras I would purchase it. Again I highly recommend this little gem

Saw this movie at a Special Screening in New Orleans at the WWII Museum and I highly recommend it. It's an incredible true story honestly told and very well acted. As someone with family in the military who loves true stories about American history, this one hit all the right notes for me.

Historical films can feel a bit stiff or over dramatized, but this hit the sweet spot of good acting and an engaging story.

It was a trip seeing Tom Felton is something other than Harry Potter, but once you get over the initial double take, you realize he is a fine actor who has a bright future ahead of him.

I was fortunate enough to see a screening of this film before its theatrical release. As a student of history and a lover of films, I would highly recommend this film to both history and film buffs. All three of the main characters give well rounded performances, but I was equally impressed with the Cinematography and Musical Score. In my opinion, there are not enough Independent, low budget films like "Against the Sun", let alone historically accurate ones. Its unfortunate that films like this don't get the larger theatrical release that they so richly deserve. It is my understanding that the film's main audience will come as a result of it's digital release so hopefully it will get the recognition it deserves.

The Pacific Ocean is 63 million square miles in size. Larger than every single square inch of dry land on the entire planet.

In January 1942, just over a month after the devastating Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour and the United States entry into WWII, the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise was on patrol west of Hawaii.

Enterprise was one of only four remaining US carriers in the Pacific. Constant reconnaissance was crucial to detect Japanese ships and aircraft. Lingering in one place was a recipe for potential disaster - but pinpointing a moving ship roughly 800ft long and 100 ft wide, a minuscule speck in such a vast ocean, was a much greater challenge for pilots. Unfortunately that made life difficult for friendly as well as hostile fliers.

On the 16 January 1942 a Douglas Devastator torpedo bomber ran out of fuel without sighting the Enterprise. Pilot Harold Dixon, radioman Gene Aldrich and bombardier Tony Pastula managed to survive ditching in the sea.

This film tells the story of what happened next. Dixon, Aldrich and Pastula had few resources and faced great dangers - trying to survive on a raft measuring only 8ft x 4ft.

Such a small intimate setting is a challenge to put on screen, and this film succeeds in being engaging and enjoyable because of the well written script brought to life by a talented cast.

Tom Felton as Tony Pastula may be familiar as Draco Malfoy from the 'Harry Potter' films, Jake Abel from 'Percy Jackson: The Lightening Thief' and TV's 'Supernatural' and Garret Dillahunt from 'Justified', 'CSI' and 'Deadwood' on the small screen as well films such as '12 Years A Slave' and 'No Country For Old Men'.

All three are excellent in their respective roles, and their collective experience and ability hold and entertain the viewer.

The film remains as faithful as possible to the actual story and the real history - and amid all the seemingly endless sea and limitless sky, an imposing vastness visually conveyed powerfully from the first opening scenes, is never in any danger of coming adrift.

Very enjoyable and well worth watching.