Hollywood Depiction of World War ONE: Movies

[utahguy]

Hollywood Depiction of World War ONE: Movies

Since the paint’s dried and I can’t watch the grass grow ‘cause it’s under three foot of snow, I decided to kick this out. From memory only. It’s roughly in order, good to best. Here goes.

Best WWI movies:

“All’s Quiet on the Western Front” (Lew Ayers) The leftist revisionists like to tout this as an anti war movie: I disagree. It does show that war ain’t pretty (duh!) but it’s much more than that. Shown from the side of the Germans, which makes it unique, its core is about everyday life: the highs and lows, the good times and bad, of the common foot soldier. Holds up rather well considering it’s an OLD flick.

“WINGS” 1927 (Clara Bow, Gary Cooper)
I Remember the date only because it was the first film to win an Oscar for best picture. Though it covers the entire front action, it’s the aerial photography of the Dogfights where this shines. Great flick.

“Sargeant York” (Gary Cooper, Walter Brennen)
The true story of Alvin York, the “Audie Murphy” of WWI. Coop at his best. It is a bit dated, and Coops’ Mom’s whiny voice will grate after a bit ( though she’s not in it a whole lot) It’s one of the classics. And as a bonus, it’s one that the liberals HATE.

York starts out a pacifist. He’s sent home from the Army to make a decision. He consults with his Minister, goes to a mountaintop, reads the Bible, prays, reconnects with God and decides to fight. The scene where he flushes out the Germans with a Turkey call is priceless.

“The Lost Battalion” Recent (Rick Schrouder)(sp)

Forgetting that Rick is one of us, this made for TV Movie is a real Gem. Plus I heard a Lib elitist once label it as racist due to the authentic language the troops used describing each other (Wop, Mic . . .. you get the picture)

The true story of the famous “Lost Battalion” in the Ardenne forest. The Camera work is the same as in the “Band of Brothers.” Gritty, Heroic, realistic, against all odds depiction of our brave fighting Men. The latter scene when the Germans attack with flame throwers is gut wrenching. Man those guys had courage.

And now, Gals and Guys, the number one WWI Film: (And it shows you where my head is at :)

BEANS! (Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy.)
Not technically a movie, but a Sennett two reeler.
Stan & Ollie are two grunts in the trenches, digging a tunnel to store supplies.
A shell burst traps them in the tunnel under thousands of cans of beans.
Being Laurel & Hardy, they figure their only means of escape is to eat their way out.
The story ends when Ollie (The fat one) decides to take a break and proceeds to light a cigar. The, er, resulting gas buildup ignites, blowing them out to safety. Stan & Ollie land on their kiesters with cans and beans raining down. Great stuff. :)

I’m sure I missed a bunch. There was one with James Cagney that I can’t remember enough about it to list. If you have any additions, please feel free.

God bless you all

[4.1O dana super trac pak]

The 'Western Front' remake with Ernest Borgnine and Richard Thomas was also good. Been a while since I saw it

[Shanda]

When I saw the title, I thought Sgt. York would probably be listed and that is why I decided to read it.

I normally don't care too much for war movies but happened to see Sgt. York not long ago. It was a very good movie but the story was almost unbelievable. I asked my Father, who knew a lot about York, and he said the movie was right on the money.

A few details were changed such as he had more brothers and sisters than the movie showed and used a different pistol than the movie had but that is not important.

It is incredible that a conscientious objector would end up winning the Medal of Honor.

I also thought Pastor Pyle, portrayed by Walter Brennan was worthy of an Oscar. How could you possibly have a preacher jumping and singing "That old time religion" from the pulpit and yet not have it be even a little bit ridiculous. A truly great performance.

[Shooter 2.5]

Walter Brennen played a lot of old guys before his time because he had lost his teeth due to being gassed in World War I.

http://volweb.utk.edu/Schools/York/diary.html

[Shanda]

Thanks for posting that link. I read it (most of it anyway) and noticed he promised his Mother he would not drink or smoke any more, and then kept that promise.

My Grandfather asked my Grandmother to marry him but she refused because he drank. He told her if she married him he would never drink again. She did and he kept his word.

What great men. They made promises and their word was their bond.

[lowbridge]

Hell's Angels (Howard Hughes flick starring Jean Harlow)
Gallipoli

[lennydetroit]

Adventures of Young Indiana Jones

Several episodes of this program, such as Chapter 8 - Trenches of Hell are outstanding WW I depictions.

Regards, Lenny

[lennydetroit]

PS: The Dawn Patrol (1930), directed by Howard Hawks -- Lenny

[nopardons]

Because you like Laurel and Hardy ( so do I !),let me name two of their movies that also dealt with WWI...."PACK UP YOUR TROUBLES" and "BLOCK HEADS" both start off with WWI action scenes and then moves to what happens after the Great War.

The following are WWI movies made after the war ended......."SHOOTIN' FOR LOVE","ROOKIES","THREE FACES EAST","LILAC TIME","THE BIG PARADE" (probably the best one,after 'WINGS"),"WHAT PRICE GLORY","THE LONE EAGLE","THE DAWN PATROL","LUCKY DEVILS","THE LOST SQUADRON",and "THE LEGION OF THE CONDEMNED".

The following are some movies made to promote WWI/during the war...."THE BATTLE CRY OF PEACE"(1915,before we entered the fight and made at the behest of Teddy Roosevelt and no it is NOT a peace-nick movie.),"THE FALL OF A NATION","CIVILIZATION", "WAR BRIDES", "LEST WE FORGET","TILL I COME BACK TO YOU","FALSE FACES" (a Lon Chaney star turn)," THE LITTLE AMERICAN" (a Mary Pickford movie),"HEARTS OF THE WORLD","SHOULDER ARMS" (a Charlie Chaplin sort of comedy),"THE EVIL EYE","THE SERVICE STAR","THE CROSS RED NURSE".

There were also American documentaries,the best known being "AMERICA'S ANSWER".

And Lewis J. Selznick made the movie : "BOLSHEVISM ON TRIAL", which dealt with WWI and the Bolshevik take over in Russian.

[Clemenza]

You forgot "Hells Angels."

[weegee]

Another BUMP for Hell's Angels.

[nopardons]

Something that might interest you. :-)

[nopardons]

Great movie! :-)

[Clemenza]

Wasn't Paths of Glory written by Jim Thompson, of all people?

For those of you in Rio Linda, Jim Thompson was one of the greatest mystery writers of all time. I recommend The Grifters, The Killer Inside Me, and The Getaway. Paths of Glory, alas, was not a mystery.

[pa_dweller]

Gallipoli

[Fedora]

Thanks! Lots of good movies mentioned :) Another one I like which is not precisely a WWI movie but sort of qualifies in that it reflects the immediate post-WWI era is Lon Chaney's "Tell It to the Marines".

[nopardons]

I love that movie! :-)

It's not a WW I movie though,just a military movie.And the Marine Corps gave Chaney an award for it,for exemplifying the heart and soul of the Marines so well.I think they also made him and honorary Marine,too.

There are lots of movies that deal with life in the military,but that isn't the topic of this thread. LOL

[Fedora]

I didn't mean to get off-topic, but I had to find an excuse to get that movie on the thread, LOL!

[nopardons]

LOL...I understand. :-)

[utahguy]

Hi. Sorry for the answering delay, but I don't get on the net every day.

A few details were changed such as he had more brothers and sisters than the movie showed and used a different pistol than the movie had but that is not important

You must have seen the same documentry I did on the pistol. Interesting trivia.

The real Alvin York looks nothing like Coop. He's short, - like most men were in those days - with dark hair and lip hair. Looks more like an accountant.

Anuyay, thanks for the message. You articulate well in your message(s)

[utahguy]

Sir, I bow to your fountain of knowledge. Thanks for the message.