|
The year is 1980. Captain Matthew Yelland (Kirk Douglas) commands the modern nuclear carrier USS Nimitz. He is ordered to take observer Warren Lasky (Martin Sheen) aboard during training exercises near Hawaii as a mysterious observer watches from a black limousine. Caught in a bizarre storm as she sets out to sea Nimitz is suddenly thrown back in time 39 years to December 1941, just before the attack on Pearl Harbor. At first the crew believes World War III has started but two F-14s sent on reconnaissance discover that Pearl Harbor is filled with pre-WWII battleships. Yelland realizes they have a chance to stop World War II. As the Tomcats down two Japanese Zeros Nimitz rescues fictional Senator Samuel S. Chapman (Charles Durning), secretary Laurel Scott (Katharine Ross) and her dog. They also capture a Japanese pilot (Soon-Tek Oh) who creates a hostage situation. Yelland realizes the rescue will change history and orders Commander Owen (James Farentino) to take Chapman and Scott to a deserted island. Before Owen can return to the ship a second storm strikes and he is left behind in the past.
|