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?
The guys on the History Channel said Murphy actually downplayed some of his own heroics. He was one hell of a guy.
YES!: Twelve O'Clock High....Bridge over the River Kwai....Best Years....
Didn't know about Walk in the sun, so thank you!!
"The Fighting Lady"
And the magnificent "Victory at Sea", not a movie but a TV documentary primarily of the war in the Pacific.
You have either been smoking some very good stuff, or you haven't seen "Black Hawk Down", "We Were Soldiers" and "Saving Private Ryan".
Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!
Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!
The Longest Day
Can't find any good stuff. I've never watched 'Black Hawk Down' because after having lived through the clinton years and their disastrous military policies, I figure it would only enrage me. I hate movies that chronicle our defeats.
Gone With the Wind, The Best Years of Our Lives, From Here to Eternity, The Bridge on the River Kwai, The Young Lions, Stalag 17, Sayonara, The Deer Hunter
"ATTACK" - Lee Marvin, Jack Palance, Eddie Albert
Black Humor
Second favorite is "Band of Brothers." Dick Winters lives in Hershey, PA which is the next county over from me. I've always favored movies about paratroopers.
Ditto that. It is not often you have the war hero playing himself. Murphy's grave in Arlington reflects his "aw shucks, nothing special" humility when it comes to his exploits as the most decorated soldier of WWII. His gravesite is just a small tombstone just like everyone else's. He died on May 28, 1971.
http://www.homeofheroes.com/gravesites/arlington/murphy_audie.html
Mrs. Miniver. There is also a follow-up, sequel, to the Mrs. Miniver movie but I've forgotten the name.
And then too many others to name.
Flying Leathernecks, Sands Of Iwo Jima, Away all Boats
I forgot to mention: "A Time to Love and a Time to Die."
The Winds of War.
Herman Woulk's novel put on film.
It was more of a TV mini-series, but I remember back in the 80s when it came out, I stayed home every night watching it. I would get all teary eyed sometimes.
Patton
Band of Brothers mini series.
The band at the WWII Memorial dedication ceremony played music from this soundtrack.
After the "Dirty Harry" series, Clint Eastwood became tedious. I liked "A Bridge Too Far" and how it portrayed that aspect of the war and how not everything went as smooth as silk. My favorite is "PATTON"
They Were Expendable
Twelve o' Clock High
Memphis Belle
No Man is an Island
Back to Bataan
Where Eagles Dare
"Run Silent Run Deep"
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0052151/
Stars Clark Gable and Burt Lancaster.
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