https://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=111205
“Once the Department of Defense approved a production support agreement with the movie’s producers, the writers got busy working to get the script as accurate as practicable. Multiple script drafts were provided to the Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC). Those same historians viewed the rough and final movie productions.
The “Midway” movie writers and producers worked tirelessly with the Navy in script development and during production to keep the storyline consistent with the historic narrative. In a few small instances, some events portrayed were not completely consistent with the historical record. Revising them would have unnecessarily complicated an already ambitious retelling of a series of complicated military battles. The production was representative of what unfolded in the opening months of WWII in the Pacific and does justice to the integrity, accountably, initiative and toughness of the Sailors involved.
The naval historians who reviewed the production were impressed.
“I’m glad they did a movie about real heroes and not comic book heroes. Despite some of the ‘Hollywood’ aspects, this is still the most realistic movie about naval combat ever made and does real credit to the courage and sacrifice of those who fought in the battle, on both sides,” said the director of NHHC, retired Rear Adm. Sam Cox, who personally supported each phase of the historical review.
The commitment to getting it right matriculated to the actors honored to represent American heroes.”
I remember talking with the Naval History and Heritage Command historian who was assigned to be the adviser on the “Pearl Harbor” movie. He said the movie folks consistently ignored his council on what they were doing wrong while making the movie. He was very disappointed/ashamed to have had his name on the movie as the “Navy’s historical adviser” for it. I was a historian at the Army Center of Military History at the time of our talk.
Thank you for the information. That sounds quite promising.
That reminds me of the manner in which the movie company collaborated with "re-enactors" during the filming of "Gettysburg." It was said at the time that the "re-enactors" often loaned actors some of their precious relics so as to boost authenticity and to make sure they "...got it right."