Posted on 05/30/2004 4:15:31 AM PDT by ken5050
If you happen to turn your TV set on at any time this Memorial Day weekend, there's a strong probability you'll come across a World War II war movie..... the classic Hollywood genre. There are many of them, and, happily a lot of very good ones. So, on this weekend of remembrance, and the dedication of the WW II memorial, what's your favorite, or favorites, and why?
Saving Private Ryan, In Harm's Way, The Best Years of our Lives AND MY ALL-TIME FAVORITE: Since You Went Away.
There are many more great World War II war-era films but these are my top four favorites.
My Favorite World War I flick is Sargeant York.
My favorites are Longest Day and Patton, no stupid romantic sub-plots in those.
Can't wait to get the Band of Brothers DVD for my birthday.
Some of my other favorites are:
Operation Daybreak (about the Czechs who assassinated Heydrich in Prague)
Andrzej Wajda's War Trilogy- especially Kanal (about the war from the Polish perspective)
Stalingrad (even better than Enemy at the Gates)
War and Rememberance as well. Still has the single most horrifying scene ever shown on TV (if you saw it you will know what I'm talking about).
1. "The Longest Day" 2. Midway 3. Tora Tora Tora
4. The Guns of Naverone
The Fighting Sullivan's was a sad movie too, I remember that from my "ute"
* Where Eagles Dare (Haven't seen this one mentioned)
* The Great Escape
* The Dirty Dozen
* Midway
* Tora Tora Tora!
Anything with Telly, Bronson, McQueen, Eastwood, Sutherland, or especially Lee Marvin gets an affirmitive nod from me.
I'm pissed because Netflix was supposed to have Midway and Where Eagles Dare here yesterday. I guess I just missed em', now have to wait til Tuesday!
I know! I know! It's not a movie, but, "Victory at Sea" was great and the music is still moving.
Yep, a definate "three hanky" flick.
The Bridges at Toko-Ri. Great movie
Note to me..WWII not same as Korea. Oh well, still great movie and any war is hell.
Bump to get another mention of Away All Boats.
A couple of posters have mentioned light entertainment - don't forget South Pacific.
Winds of War has been mentioned several times. It just came out this week as a set: 60 dollars for 6 DVDs (15 hours). My teenagers are unfamiliar with the cast, which includes Robert Mitchum, Ralph Bellamy, Polly Bergen, Peter Graves, John Houseman, Ali MacGraw, Victoria Tennant, Topol, and Elke Sommer.
If any of ya'll start a list of favorite WWII novels that have NOT made it to the movies,, please ping me. I especially like series (W. E. B. Griffin, John Gobbell, Vice Admiral Mack)
Band of Brothers I would rank as the best as well.
I also remember watching The Fighting SeaBees when I was a kid. (Starring John Wayne). One scene stands out is that during a Japanese attack, a civilian contractor picks up a Japanese soldier with a steam shovel, lifts him high in the air, and then shoots him.
When his buddy asks him why he shot him, he replies, "Because I thought the fall would kill him."
I like Midway better than Tora, Tora, Tora because:
1. We win in Midway
2. We lose in Tora, Tora, Tora
3. I use Tivo to fix the PC story line in Midway
My favorite WWII movie is "God IS My Co-Pilot". Didn't see it mentioned yet.
He was nearly 90 and still going strong. Also a really personable man. Just as friendly and likeable as you could imagine.
One thing which struck me is he had flown an F-15 only a few years prior to that time.
Gas rationing, meatless Mondays, victory gardens - everyone doing their part - businesses and homes displaying a star if a family member was fighting -
She told me when her husband returned from Europe, their daughter hid under the dining room table because she didn't "know" this strange man!
Oddball - "To a New Yorker like you, a hero is some kind of wierd sandwich."
Big Joe - "I dont give a damn what Command says about anything!"
Everytime (I mean EVERY time) Sgt. York is on TV I make my kids watch it again with me. Its old and corny but it shows a hardship and devotion to GOD that helped make America great.
Patton, Where Eagles Dare, A Bridge too Far, Big Red One, Tora-Tora-Tora, The Bridge on the River Kwai, Dirty Dozen.
Mrs. Delta 21 wants me to list The Sound of Music since it is her favorite and technically qualifies.
I watched "Mrs. Miniver" last night which was on the Cleveland PBS station. They show many classic B&W films on Saturday night. This film came out in 1942, so America was just moving into the war. Since I taped it, I will share with you its final moments. The pastor is speaking in the partially bombed-out church:
"We in this quiet corner of England have suffered the loss of friends very dear to us. Some close to this church; George West (choir boy), James Ballard (station master and bell ringer and the proud winner, only an hour before his death, of the Belden Cup for his beautiful Miniver rose). And our hearts go out in sympathy to the two families who share the cruel loss of a young girl who was married at this alter only two weeks ago.
The homes of many of us have been destroyed and the lives of young and old have been taken. There's scarcely a household that hasn't been struck to the heart. And why? Surely you must have asked yourselves this question. Why in all conscience should these be the ones to suffer; children, old people, a young girl at the height of her loveliness? Why these? Are these our soldiers? Are these our fighters? Why should they be sacrificed? I shall tell you why.
Because, this is not only a war of soldiers in uniform, it is a war of the people - of all the people - and it must be fought not only on the battlefield but in the cities and in the villages; in the factories and on the farms; in the home and in the heart of every man, woman and child who loves Freedom.
Well, we have buried our dead, but we shall not forget them! Instead, they will inspire us with an unbreakable determination to free ourselves and those who come after us, from the tyranny and terror that threaten to strike us down. THIS IS THE PEOPLE'S WAR. It is our war. We are the fighters. FIGHT IT THEN. Fight it with all that is in us, and may God defend the right."
(The congregation now stands and sings "Onward Christian Soldier." Seen through the bombed-out roof are planes flying in formation to win a war against evil.)
Best Years of Our Lives - it always makes me choke up.
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