The USS Arizona Memorial Documentary

Before embarking on the US Navy shuttle boat across the waters of Pearl Harbor to the USS Arizona Memorial, visitors to the Pearl Harbor National Memorial are ushered into a small theater across from the main exhibit galleries. In the Pearl Harbor Memorial, Theater a brief, intense, film is screened. This documentary tells the story of USS Arizona (BB-39) and her tragic fate, and also offers a glimpse into the the events that led up to the attack that was launched against the United States on December 7, 1941.

Inside the Pearl Harbor Memorial Theater

Over the course of 23 minutes, viewers watch actual footage of the attack, depicting events that led up to the Japanese decision to bomb Pearl Harbor, as well as the attack itself and its aftermath. The film explores Japanese expansion throughout China and Southeast Asia, and the American response.

Viewers are introduced to the mastermind behind the attack: Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto. The film illustrates how the Japanese ultimately came to believe they had no other option than to try to destroy the American Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor.

What Is the USS Arizona Memorial Documentary?

The documentary shown at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center utilizes real, mostly black-and-white archival footage to portray the history of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Viewers see images of the the ill-conceived defense measures implemented at the various military bases on Oahu, and the Japanese planes preparing to launch the surprise assault.

Explosion of USS Arizona (BB-39)

In its most dramatic and moving scenes, the USS Arizona Memorial documentary provides viewers with an immersive look at the actual attack. Using both footage taken from the attacking planes and footage taken from the ground, the devastation wrought that morning comes to life.

There is a lot of information delivered in the 23-minute running time of the documentary. From the first Japanese incursions into northern China in the early 1930s to the peaceful USS Arizona Memorial of today, viewers get a first-hand look at the history of the War in the Pacific, its causes, and its aftermath.

Is the USS Arizona Memorial Documentary Appropriate for Children?

Yes, the documentary is suitable for all ages, though younger children may not grasp the full complexity of the history.

There is a lot of talk of military powers and diplomatic history, and powerful imagery like burning aircraft and smoking battleships, but most people find the documentary to be an experience suitable for viewers of all ages. 

The documentary is a crucial element of the USS Arizona Memorial program, and is part of every Pearl Harbor tour. The film sets the emotional and historical tone for the entire USS Arizona Memorial visit, helping visitors understand the gravity of what they’re about to witness.

It’s more than just another documentary — it’s a necessary prelude. The combination of education, emotion, and original footage makes it one of the most vivid windows into the events of that infamous day.