Sinking the Supership 2006
Distributed by WGBH Boston, 125 Western Avenue, Boston, MA 02134; 617-300-2000
Produced by Keiko Hagihara Bang
Directed by David Axelrod
DVD, color, 56 min.
Jr. High - Adult
Military Studies, World War II
Date Entered: 03/10/2006
Reviewed by Alexander Rolfe, Reference Librarian, George Fox University, Newberg, ORThe Japanese battleship Yamato was the largest ever built, but saw almost no action until its suicide mission at the end of the war. The NOVA team finds the wreck and uses the physical evidence to piece together the final moments of its sinking. The video describes the Yamato’s secret design and construction, tells why it wasn’t used, and explains why it was sent on a suicide mission. Viewers hear from one of the ship’s designers, survivors from both sides of the battle, and historians. The video does a good job of maintaining some suspense and curiosity while filling in all the appropriate background. The whole story is fascinating. As is to be expected of NOVA, the production quality is very high.
Recommended for classes on World War II, naval history, or modern Japanese history.