Secrets of the Dead: Dogfight Over Guadalcanal (2006)
PBS

Description

In the summer of 1942 two ace fighter pilots - one American and one Japanese - faced off in a dramatic dogfight over Guadalcanal. Both were injured but survived. Using both pilots' comprehensive (but sometimes contradictory) memoirs and following a forensic expedition to the recently-found crash site of the American plane Dogfight Over Guadalcanal will examine and recreate every anxious second of the WWII showdown over the Pacific revealing just how evenly matched the two men were and how they both survived despite serious injuries.

Tags

World War II, Dogfights, Air combat

Collected reviews and ratings

8.3 digitallyobsessed.com | Ross Johnson

Though brisk, this documentary about one of the most famous dogfights in aviation history is both entertaining and provides a thorough introduction to the lives and careers of Saburo Sakai and "Pug" Southerland. Those interested in World War II or cambat aviation in general should be pleased.
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8.0 New York Times | Neil Genzlinger

For those who like a good war story, or even for those who don’t, it’s bracing stuff.
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7.0 Amazon user reviews

Both men are legends and this DVD is a fascinating look into both pilots as well as the Zero and Wildcat, which are analyzed by experts on both planes.
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4.0 DVD Talk | Paul Mavis

Military and history buffs may enjoy Dogfight Over Guadalcanal for its alternate theory concerning this dogfight, but I would suggest another more balanced account for the average viewer.
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