Woo recreates the WWII Battle of Saipan on a Hawaiian ranch

Enders’ situation is mirrored by that of another code-talker’s guard, Ox Henderson (Christian Slater), who finds the dilemma even more problematic. “Enders has given up on human existence to some extent and seems more resigned to his assignment,” says Slater. “But Ox really questions his orders.”

Other members of an exceptional cast include Beach, a Canadian Native American who starred in the indie drama Smoke Signals (the Navajo nation was consulted on whether a non-Navajo could play the part and gave its blessing); Peter Stormare (Fargo); Noah Emmerich (The Truman Show); and Mark Ruffalo (You Can Count on Me) as other members of the platoon. Regular Woo collaborators Jeffrey Kimball (director of photography), Holger Gross (production designer) and Steven Kemper, Jeff Gullo and Tom Rolf (editors) head up the 350-person crew.

Best known in Hollywood for movies like Broken Arrow and Mission: Impossible 2, Woo made his name in Hong Kong with films which were as much about male-bonding as they were about specially choreographed action scenes, and Windtalkers - which focuses on the reluctant friendship that is forged between Enders and Yahzee in the heat of battle - reconnects with that part of his career. Thus, while the Navajo’s spiritual strength rehumanises Enders, Yahzee also learns something from his guard. “He is an intelligent Marine,” says Beach, “but he learns in battle that he’s not very good at killing people. Through Enders, he finds the strength to focus on his unit and mission and not worry about what’s in front of him. He also learns the power of bonding with others.”

Woo warmed immediately to the project - Rosenzweig remembers him leaping to his feet, clapping his hands and saying ‘Now that’s my kind of movie’ at the end of the pitch - but knew he had to find a balance between the massive backdrop of the battle of Saipan and the intimate story of the relationship between two men. As always, he solved it through movement.

“He’s incredible!” says Ruffalo. “In one particular shot, a steadycam followed us into a ditch where all this hand-to-hand combat was taking place. In one long take, moving from man to man, he had choreographed the whole thing. It was like a one-act play!”

“John likes everything to move,” confirms Kimball, who shot Mission: Impossible 2. “He likes the cameras to dance.”

And it is ultimately this kinetic vision that holds Windtalkers together. “John is the ultimate auteur,” notes Cage, who previously worked with the director on Face/Off. “His vision is a world I want to work in. He’s very trusting and collaborative with actors. I also believe he likes to work in extremes. His vision is extreme - and so is mine.”