The nuclear-powered USS Nimitz is transported back in time to the eve of the 1941 Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor, with Kirk Douglas as Captain Matt Yelland at the helm.

Don Taylor directed this fantastic yarn in which the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz sails into a powerful electromagnetic storm, sending it back in time to the hours preceding the infamous Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Starring Kirk Douglas, Martin Sheen, Katharine Ross and James Farentino, United Artists' The Final Countdown is the stuff of science fiction movie legend.

Screenplay and Director

The Final Countdown was written for the screen by Thomas Hunter, Peter Powell, David Ambrose and Gerry Davis. The original story's setting was World War I, but that was changed in favor of the Pearl Harbor attack, which heralded America's entry into the Second World War.

Directing the movie was Don Taylor (1920-1998). An actor during the 1940s, '50s and '60s, Taylor's previous directorial credits had largely been confined to episodic television and made-for-TV movies. In 1971, however, he had directed the sci-fi feature film Escape from the Planet of the Apes.

The Cast

Heading the cast was Kirk Douglas as Captain Matthew Yelland. Also on board were Martin Sheen (Warren Lasky), Katharine Ross (Laurel Scott), James Farentino (Commander Richard T. Owens/Richard Tideman), Ron O'Neal (Commander Dan Thurman, Executive Officer) and Charles Durning (Senator Samuel Chapman).

Filming Locations

Much of The Final Countdown was filmed on the USS Nimitz herself during the aircraft carrier's September 1979 to May 1980 cruise in the Atlantic Ocean. Allegedly, filming had to be wrapped up early so the Nimitz could return to its home port in Norfolk, Virginia, where it was to take on helicopters and crew which were later employed in Operation Eagle Claw, the unsuccessful April 24,1980, attempt to free the American hostages in Iran.

Other locations used in the film were Pearl Harbor Naval Station in Hawaii and Naval Air Station in Key West, Florida.

Real F-14A Tomcats and Mock-Up Zeros Used

Thanks to the cooperation of the United States Navy, real F-14A Tomcats flying off the Nimitz were used in filming. Portraying the enemy aircraft in the movie were specially-modified AT-6 Texans, mocked up to look like the famous A6M2 Mitsubishi Japanese Zero of World War II infamy.

All ten aviation squadrons aboard the Nimitz were given camera time: VF-41 and VF-84 (Tomcats), VA-35 (Intruders), VA-82 and VA-86 (Corsair II's), VFP-63 (Crusaders), VAQ-134 (Prowlers), VS-24 (Vikings), VAW-112 (Hawkeyes) and HS-9 (Sea King helicopters).

In order to get the Tomcats and mock-up Zeros into the same camera shot, the Zeros flew at full throttle while the technologically superior Tomcats slowed down to stall speed.

Performing one of the film's best flying stunts was Commander Richard "Fox" Farrell, executive officer of VF-84, The Jolly Rogers, whose Tomcat is seen coming perilously close to the water before pulling up for altitude.

The Nimitz Returns to Pearl Harbor

The year is 1980, and the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz is preparing to embark on a training mission from Pearl Harbor. Coming aboard is a civilian observer, Warren Lasky, who secretly works for mysterious Tideman Industries.

While out in the blue Pacific the Nimitz is engulfed by a freakish electromagnetic storm, temporarily rendering the crew unconscious. When they awake, the storm has passed, but normal communications are inoperable -- save for old World War II broadcasts and a radio skit from The Jack Benny Show.

Not sure of their position, Captain Matt Yelland dispatches an F-8 Crusader and two F-14A Tomcats on a search and report mission. The Tomcats soon encounter two Japanese Zeros of WW II vintage, who strafe a pleasure boat occupied by Senator Samuel Chapman. The senator and his aide, Laurel, along with her dog, Charlie, manage to escape their burning boat while the Tomcats distract the attacking Zeros.

Soon enough, Captain Yelland and the crew of the Nimitz discover the reality of their situation. The date is December 7, 1941, and at dawn a Japanese strike force will hit Pearl Harbor in a lightning attack, plunging the United States into World War II.

Captain Yelland now readies his own strike force, preparing to meet the Japanese invaders head-on before they reach Pearl. But brewing on the horizon is another storm, which is gradually closing in on the Nimitz.

Release and Reviews

The Final Countdown was released to American theaters on August 1, 1980.

"This is the kind of movie that some kids would probably enjoy -- it's filled with technology, special effects and action. But it just doesn't make any sense," reported Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times (8/5/80).

The Final Countdown, whose screenplay was novelized by Martin Caidin (1927-1997) and released as a Bantam paperback in August 1980, is available on widescreen DVD from Blue Underground.

"If the United States falls under attack our job is to defend her in the past, present and future," Captain Yelland argues.

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