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?
Douglas Sirk's WWII opus, "A Time To Love And a Time To Die" based on a novel by Erich Maria Remarque. Most poignant.
While I did like “The Dirty Dozen” the first few time I saw it, it was pure fantasy, so I had to leave it off my favorites list.
"Apocalypse Now" was a mediocre comedy.
Every time I saw it, I couldn’t help but wish the VC/NVA had used fireworks when the were shelling us. I put it in the same category as the “Rambo” series - comedy.
Oh yeah, I forgot "The Dirty Dozen."
If you want a good read, try “The Filthy Thirteen”.
I know it's practically blasphemy, but I never really liked Leon Uris. Herman Wouk is much better writer..but his novels do not adapt well to the big screen, IMO.
I want to add to my list:
Diary of Anne Frank
Stalag 17
The Shop on Main Street
Then you guys would definitely cry at the PBS documentary they did, George Sullivan SURVIVED the blast for 4 days, he was eaten by sharks on the day before the rescue of the remainder of the crew.
They had most surviving members of the Jenueau on the show telling their stories, plus the pilots who flew overhead but had orders to NOT pick them up!
Also the B-17 pilot who reported seeing them in the water almost within one day of the explosion, yet was ignored for 4 days.
Believe me, I'm a fan. I quiz my wife on upcoming lines in Tora Tora Tora, Midway and The Longest Day. She hates the game, but has seen them all so many times she knows.(which of the Strawberries finds the Fleet?)
My late wife had the entire dialog of “Midway” memorized.
My favorite war movies are "Blackhawk Down" "Saving Private Ryan", but the ultimate war movie is "The Passion of the Christ"
Black and White movie, made in 1940 or 41 before the US was at war!
Good stuff, showed the Germans as men, not just NAZIS, but clearly were led by NAZIS, the commander and his small group of officers were sickos
Their submarine was sunk in Hudson Bay, and the crew had to escape across Canada, and actually got to the western part of Canada, but was chased the whole way across.
In the final scene the U-Boat commander is trying to get into the US by train because the US and Germany aren't at war yet, and.....
How anyone can call THIN RED LINE a good war movie is beyond me.
It had great photography for the jungle scenes, but the plot, the acting, the scenes with Woody Harrelson in it, that movie should be burned.
I saw that but I think it was made in Early 50s.
I just watched Mrs. Miniver for the first time last week. Wonderful movie!!!
New thread on favorite films & TV miniseries from the Revolution to World War One at http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1145126/posts
It says 1941 on the tape.
I am watching THE LONGEST DAY on DVD right now, so, I wont check the opening credits!
However, the soundtrack lacks a musical score, so, that tells me it is OLD!
It says 1941 on the tape.
I am watching THE LONGEST DAY on DVD right now, so, I wont check the opening credits!
However, the soundtrack lacks a musical score, so, that tells me it is OLD!
Tora! Tora! Tora!
I saw it for the first time only a couple of years ago, and was fascinated by this view of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Very well done movie, if someone hasn't seen it yet. Highly recommended.
Amazing to me was the scene of the watchtower on the north shore of Oahu, 2 guards were just about to end their watch when they saw planes coming in, one of them wanted to call in the report, but the other one said something to the effect, it's probably nothing. (At least that's the way I remember it now!)
Finally having got through 316 posts, and being reminded of at least a few I'd forgotten, I might get trounced for bringing "Catch 22" into the discussion.
I read it just before escaping the draft by joining the Air Force. After a couple of years I branch transferred to Army - to some degree because I'd seen every Catch 22 character alive and well in the AF. I always thought it was more 'realistic' than given credit for although taken to absolute limits of each characteristic. [It helps that Orr is my hero]
On a more typical note: there were some great British films that used to run on history channel etc.
My favorite was a based-on-fact story of development of the Spitfire. And, that leads to another that has not been mentioned, a TV series but a good one; "A Piece of Cake" about RAF reserve squadron. I never got to see the entire series and had rotten luck taping it but enjoyed every installment I did see.
And, last, there were several great Merchant Marine flicks made during the war and probably before it as well. I think that Ward Bond, John Wayne, and Bogart all did MM movies which I remember from way back in my youth and television;s youth as well.
I like your list. Have to add "...Private Ryan" and for laughs and entertainment...."Buck Privates" (Abbott & Costello)
You mention a some great films with wonderful plots. Casablanca, Caine Mutiny, those I also could see repeatedly. Don't know about Patton. Great film, there's only so much gigantic ego I can take per movie season.
For instance on the D-Day invasion, the primary focus was on showing in graphic detail the way the men died on the beach. That was unnecessary. Indeed, in light of the plot of the movie, the whole D-Day scene was pretty much unnecessary. It was overly graphic for the sole purpose of shocking the viewer and pushing up ticket sales.
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