Midway (2019)

Patrick Wilson: Edwin Layton

Photos 

Quotes 

• Raymond Spruance : Layton, how reliable are these estimates of the Japanese positions?

  Edwin Layton : They represent our best guess based on the intelligence that we have.

  Raymond Spruance : I can't plan around your guess.

  Chester W. Nimitz : [to Layton]  I understand that we're asking the impossible but we need you to be specific.

  Edwin Layton : [sighs, pauses a moment]  The Japanese will attack on the morning of June 4th from the northwest at a bearing of 325 degrees. They will be sighted 175 miles from Midway at 0700 local time.

  Chester W. Nimitz : I trust Layton and his team. Make your plans accordingly.

  Chester W. Nimitz : [later, on the morning of June 4th, after receiving the report the enemy fleet was spotted on a bearing of 320 degrees and 180 miles northwest of Midway and glancing at his watch]  Well, Layton, you and Rochefort were only off five minutes, five miles and five degrees.

  Edwin Layton : Well, we'll endeavor to do better next time, sir.

• Edwin Layton : Sir, I'm the intelligence officer responsible for overseeing the greatest intelligence failure in American history.

• Edwin Layton : Washington is starting from a false assumption, and looking for evidence to support it.

• Edwin Layton : Japanese are attacking on multiple fronts. We captured a radio log from a downed Japanese plane. They hit us with all six of their fleet carriers. At least they didn't destroy our oil tanks. The whole fleet would have had to withdraw to the West Coast.

  Husband Kimmel : You are the best intelligence officer I've ever known, Layton. They'll probably burn you for this, too. But if they don't, swear to me, you'll make the next man in this chair listen to you.

• Edwin Layton : Welcome to Pearl, sir. I'm Lieutenant Commander Layton.

  Chester W. Nimitz : I know who you are.

  Edwin Layton : Well, then you'll understand my request. I wish to be reassigned to a destroyer.

  Chester W. Nimitz : Didn't you try to warn my predecessor about the impending attack?

  Edwin Layton : Well, not exactly. I said that we had lost track of the enemy carriers and needed to be prepared. I should have pushed harder.

  Chester W. Nimitz : A lesson, I assume, you have taken to heart.

  Edwin Layton : Sir, I'm the intelligence officer responsible for overseeing the greatest intelligence failure in American history.

  Chester W. Nimitz : Close the door.

  [Layton closes the door] 

  Chester W. Nimitz : Morale is at an all time low, and for a good reason. The Japanese are advancing on all fronts at a terrifying pace. I, nevertheless, know the fighting spirit of our men. And I have faith in them. But I also need to know that they have faith in themselves. I need you to be my Admiral Yamamoto. Get in his head. Tell me what he's going to do next. Your first assignment... we need to throw a punch. Not just for morale, but so the Japanese know what it feels like to be hit. I'm sending Halsey to attack the Marshall Islands. But I need to know they're not walking into a trap.

• Edwin Layton : [laughs when Captain Rawlings misses a duck with the net] 

  Captain Rawlings : This is bloody ridiculous.

  Edwin Layton : Wasn't your empire built on ridiculous traditions?

  Captain Rawlings : Don't defend them, Layton. You might speak their language, but they still think you're a barbarian.

  Edwin Layton : Be honest, you won't miss this place when you're gone?

  Captain Rawlings : Oh, please. The next time I see the little buggers, I hope it's through the sights of a 14 inch gun.