Operation Bikini

Operation Bikini

Year: 1963

Runtime: 77 mins

Language: English

Director: Anthony Carras

DramaWar

Set aboard an American submarine patrolling the Pacific in World II, the commander is ordered to rendezvous with Lt. Hayes’s demolition team. Their mission is to locate a U.S. submarine that has sunk in a lagoon at Bikini Atoll and destroy it before Japanese forces can raise the wreck and capture the valuable radar aboard.

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Timeline & Setting – Operation Bikini (1963)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Operation Bikini (1963). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

World War II (1940s)

Set during the Pacific War, the narrative takes place in the early-to-mid 1940s as American forces conduct underwater demolition operations. The mission hinges on locating and destroying a submerged submarine before the Japanese can salvage its radar system. The tempo shifts from submarine warfare to a high-risk lagoon assault, reflecting wartime urgency.

Location

Bikini Atoll, Pacific Ocean

The action unfolds around Bikini Atoll in the Pacific, a remote coral atoll whose lagoon becomes the mission’s arena. A sunken American submarine lies within the lagoon, around which Japanese patrols pose constant danger. The atoll’s isolation and water environments heighten the tension as sailors move to complete their raid.

🏝️ Atoll 🌊 Pacific Ocean 🗺️ WWII theater

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:09

Main Characters – Operation Bikini (1963)

Meet the key characters of Operation Bikini (1963), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Seaman Joseph Malzone (Frankie Avalon)

A devoted, somewhat romantic sailor who carries a photo of his girl as a talisman. He remains hopeful and keeps morale high during dangerous dives, expressing deep devotion in two musical dream sequences. His courage and loyalty anchor the demolition team's spirit under fire.

💪 Bravery ❤️ Devotion

Lt. Morgan Hayes (Tab Hunter)

The demolition team's leader, skilled and calm under pressure. He navigates tactical challenges while pursuing a romance with Reiko, adding personal stakes to the mission. His decisions guide the team toward success in the face of imminent danger.

🧭 Leadership ❤️ Romance

Capt. Emmett Carey (Scott Brady)

Captain of the submarine, a steady and authoritative presence who coordinates actions and relays critical information to the carrier. His seasoned command helps keep the mission on course amid chaotic combat.

🧭 Command 💪 Duty

Seaman William Sherman (Jody McCrea)

A strong, reliable seaman who helps sustain morale and supports the team, including leading recovery efforts after injuries. He embodies resilience and practical problem-solving under pressure.

💪 Morale 🗣️ Communication

Seaman Ronald Davayo (Aki Aleong)

The only team member who speaks Japanese, using linguistic skills to navigate encounters. He participates in a daring suicide attack to protect the mission, illustrating extreme loyalty and willingness to sacrifice.

🗡️ Sacrifice 🧭 Skills

Paul (Marc Cavell)

Native interpreter for the guerrilla band; his role underscores local collaboration. Paul is killed by a Japanese patrol, marking a turning point in the mission’s emotional and tactical stakes.

🗺️ Interpreter 💔 Loss

Reiko (Eva Six)

A local guerrilla ally and potential love interest for Hayes (and possibly Malzone). Her brief romance heightens emotional stakes, and she is killed during a patrol skirmish, emphasizing the human cost of conflict.

❤️ Love 💔 Loss

Bosun Ed Fennelly (Jim Backus)

Gruff but good-hearted bosun's mate who keeps the crew's spirits up. He is wounded in the skirmish, highlighting the physical toll of the mission and the camaraderie among the sailors.

💪 Resilience 🛡️ Duty

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:09

Major Themes – Operation Bikini (1963)

Explore the central themes of Operation Bikini (1963), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🛡️ Courage

Under constant threat from patrols and dangerous dives, the demolition team forges ahead. Malzone's devotion to his girl, expressed in musical dream sequences, anchors morale. Hayes's leadership and the crew’s discipline show how nerve and teamwork sustain action under fire. The mission’s success depends on bold, precise acts of bravery.

❤️ Romance

A romantic thread develops between Reiko and Hayes, with a possible connection to Malzone, adding emotional stakes to the mission. The romance complicates decisions under pressure, testing loyalties between duty and affection. When Reiko is killed in a skirmish, the personal cost of war becomes clear. Love intersects with danger, heightening the tension of every choice.

🔥 Sacrifice

Acts of selflessness drive the operation, including Davayo’s daring suicide ram into the salvage boat to safeguard the mission. The team places explosive charges and relies on quick, coordinated action to finish the job. Lives are risked and lost for strategic advantage as the lagoon’s defenses are neutralized. Sacrifice stands as a central force shaping the outcome.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:09

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Operation Bikini Summary

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Operation Bikini Summary

Operation Bikini Timeline

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Operation Bikini Timeline

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Operation Bikini (1963) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

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Operation Bikini (1963) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow