Posted on 11/26/2008 4:39:25 AM PST by mattstat
Here’s my list.
1. Twelve O’Clock High : Inarguably the best. No show, no false notes, no forced emotion like you see so much nowadays. No political correctness in the sense that there are no directorial heavy-handed “war is evil” sub-tones. No actors posing or posturing. Utterly realistic. This takes place during a time when the outcome of the war was by no means assured. The actors believe it: there is no foreshadowing of ultimate victory here as in so many other movies. A son of a general learns his lesson that even the privileged must do what is expected of them. Gregory Peck is the perfect leader, trying to get “Maximum effort” from his men, giving more of himself than he asks from anybody. 2. Tora! Tora! Tora! : Stays exceptionally close to what is known historically. Brilliant idea to have a Japanese director direct Japanese actors reading lines written by Japanese writers. Increases the sense of realism to a remarkable degree. The “special effects” are astonishing, especially since no computers were involved (Thank God). Gordon Prange (who wrote many Pearl Harbor books) contributed to the script—which is why we never see the emperor Hirohito’s involvement (Prange could never let himself believe that the Showa emperor was what he was). People who know me won’t watch this with me anymore because I like to point out just what did and did not happen at each moment in the movie. 3. The Train ...
(Excerpt) Read more at wmbriggs.com ...
For the musical score alone!
Sure didn't hurt.
Where Eagles Dare
From Here To Eternity - I think what people don't realize about the US Military is prior to WW II, being a serviceman was looked down upon. The book touches on this more than the movie, but being a soldier, Marine, or sailor - prior to WW II - you were looked upon by society as on par or one step below actors. There was also a strong caste system within the military - not just between Officer and Enlisted but between the enlisted too. The book and movie also gives an historical perspective of what it meant being a enlisted man prior to WW II - the duty, the long hours, the pay, the recreation, the mind set. I have read the book three times and while writing this I am thinking of reading it again.
Once An Eagle - very similar to From Here To Eternity except it is from the Officers point of view.
In Harms Way - I have always loved this film.
Kelly's Heroes - a great flick from the view of war weary men now fighting for themselves. One of the rare war flicks that is funny and serious at the same time - it's excellent when someone can pull that off.
The Sands of Iwo Jima
Heartbreak Ridge - another serious and funny movie. You have the nervous humor of being a witness to Sgt. Highway whip his platoon into shape. Again it is about duty. And the lessons learned in Recon can help you in all aspects of life - adapt - overcome - improvise.
Patton
The Sandpebbles - similar to From Here To Eternity and Once An Eagle but from the sailors perspective.
Mister Roberts
The Caine Mutiny
The Fighting 69th - James Cagney as a loudmouthed coward who discovers courage, honor, and duty.
Some of the others on the list - 12 O'Clock High, et al - I have not listed because I have not seen them.
Victory at Sea was compulsory viewing for Navy brats such as myself, though I could never get enough of it and purchased the DVDs. I was somewhat disappointed that the restoration, if there was any, was poorly done. Nonetheless, there is one scene in the final episode that still brings a tear to my eye, and that is the sailor getting off the ship and his sweetheart rushing forward to embrace him. Rogers score kicks up at that point and really punctuates the moment.
Netflix reminder bump! ;-)
I agree, Sheen should be horsewhipped for how he portrayed a great and decent gentleman and soldier.
What is also cool about that scene - when he slaps the flea - is that as soon as he slaps it, Webb is right there in his face. Not a nanosecond goes by before the DI is right there.
King Rat and Sahara
“U-571./Just Asking - seoul62........”
LOL I liked it too, you could feel the desolation they must have experienced during their missions. I’ve been on the USS Clamagore (now at Charleston, SC) and have a feeling for their environment (most of my time was on nuclear boats , Sturgeon-class submarines and even they are cramped). Used to hears stories from my uncle (destroyer during WW II) and I don’t think those prisoners would have gotten a second chance for their “shenanigans”.
Best of all:
Band of Brothers, Watch it every year Memorial Day week.
Disapointment: Flags of Our Fathers, one of the best books ever but the movie was not even 1/2 as good as the book. On funny side: Sweet Home Alabama, reenactment of Gettysburg, When the all charge and die, that was funny.
“Wings”? It was the first movie awarded an Oscar. Would have been 1927 or 28.
I like your list.
Excellent!
I’ve seen “Horse Soldiers” several times; the manufactured conflict between Col Grierson and the surgeon (Wiliam Holden) is a distraction from the real importance of Grierson’s Raid.
Civil War battle scenes where they are using incorrect props like 1873 Trapdoor Springfields and Colt revolvers that did not exist at the time spoils the movie for me. Is it a budget problem, or do the producers and directors just not give a damn?
One you gotta see even if it isn’t in there, is “The Boys in Company C”
Hard to believe the author left it off his list, but did include Charlie Sheen movies.
I saw your disclaimer, but I was thinking more in terms of M.Sheen’s acting job and how bad it was. Wooden, Stiff, Uninspired, Lazy, etc etc.
Not films, but books.....
W.E.B. Griffin’s books should ALL be made into movies....
No mention yet of “The Big Red One”. Best squad level action movie made prior to “Band of Brothers”, which should top everyone’s list. Also, the flying sequences in Wings” (1927) were outstanding and featured some actual WW1 vintage aircraft. “Twelve O’Clock High” is also one of the best war movies ever made, along with “Battleground”. Other worthwhile early movies are “ The Grand Illusion” and “All Quiet on the Western Front”
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