World Premiere at the Palace Theater

No other event in history has inspired more films than World War II. The genre has generated classics like Midway, Sands of Iwo Jima, The Longest Day and The Battle of the Bulge. Because WWII is so endemic to the human condition it's no wonder that almost 65 years later filmmakers are still finding fresh material.

"Last Operations Under the Orion" or "Manatsu no Orion" is a great example. It has thoughtful acting, beautiful cinematography, tight editing, a memorable score and one hell of a mighty American destroyer escort. She's called the USS Slater and she's moored right here in Albany.

Directed by Tetsuo Shinohara and based on a novel by Tsukasa Ikegami, the full-feature Japanese saga premiered at the Albany Palace theater tonight with a private screening. It was shot on location over the summer last year.

The cast, volunteers, film extras, board members, city mayor and even the Governor were invited. Patterson penned a note of congratulations that was read before the film started. A standing ovation was given to the 5 remaining Navy vets who sailed her in 1943-1945.

Accuracy was important to Producers Shohei Kotaki and Kanjiro Sakura so they chose the only remaining WWII battleship afloat in the U.S. to shoot their movie. And, because the USS Slater has undergone years of restoration by passionate volunteers she was a perfect fit.

Some of the scenes include radar controls in the pilot house, depth charges falling off the stern and sweeping views of the starboard. The destroyer stayed docked during filming but the action is so real you'd think she was fighting in the Pacific.

Actually, a second destroyer escort called the USS Hurst sold to Mexico in 1973 was used for the antisubmarine warfare scenes but only a well-trained eye can tell the difference.

Leaving the theater several old-timers had tears in their eyes for memories stirred up. The Japanese media pulled aside several wanting their opinion of the film. I overheard a few remarking how surprisingly cathartic the movie was, a tender tone brought out by an unexpected ending.