Ben Affleck talks about playing Rafe McCawley in the 2001 film Pearl Harbor…

Released in 2001, Pearl Harbor remains one of the most ambitious, and controversial, Hollywood attempts to dramatize the attack that brought the United States into World War II. Blending large-scale historical spectacle with a sweeping romantic narrative, the film positioned its central characters not just as fictional lovers, but as symbolic stand-ins for a generation thrust into global conflict.

At the center of that story is Capt. Rafe McCawley, portrayed by Ben Affleck at a pivotal moment in his career. As a daring Army Air Corps pilot shaped by idealism, loyalty, and wartime bravado, Rafe embodies the film’s romanticized vision of American heroism — one that has been both celebrated and sharply critiqued in the years since the film’s release.

In this interview with WFAA, Affleck reflects on taking on the role, the scale and pressure of starring in a major historical epic, and the challenges of grounding a fictional character within one of the most consequential real-world events of the 20th century. Looking back, the conversation offers insight not only into Affleck’s performance, but into how Pearl Harbor itself sought to balance emotional storytelling with historical legacy.

You can watch the full interview with Ben Affleck below:

Pearl Harbor is available now with a subscription to HBO Max…