The Greatest War Movie Ever?

[Batley]

I don't approve of this because it doesn't mention Dresden. Doingggg!

 

[tobyjug]

Das Boot.

 

[Sir Belchalot]

What about The Tin Drum? Not strictly a war film but great nonetheless. Great book as well. Otherwise, Come and See or Das Boot.

 

[herman]

Catch 22
Kellys Heroes
Johnny Got His Gun

 

[tobyjug]

interesting how the film avoids ending with the bit where the brits bayonet about 500 wounded zulus once the battle's over

What else were they supposed to do with them? (Serious question given the circumstances)

 

[Supine]

Tough call. The end of The Killing Fields, when Imagine is played, has made me cry every time I've seen it though. Fantastic.

 

[shandy]

I don't approve of this because it doesn't mention Dresden. Doingggg!

David Irving wrote a script for Dad's Army. It ended up with Tiger tanks smashing through Godfrey's sister's cottage and then surrounding the church hall. Mainwairing ordered everybody in Walmington-on-Sea to surrender, the Jerry's took over and everybody lived happily after.

 

[Red Faction]

The Great Escape
Dam Busters
Zulu
Hunt for Red October

 

[fishfingerer]

Just watched Enemy At The Gates. Load of cobblers. Looks fantastic, potentially great story, but ruined by apparently being more concerned with anti-commie sentiment than anything. And does Jude Law cut it as an illiterate Russian peasant? Does he bollocks.

 

[Sorry.]

Is Salvador any good?

 

[Ryazan]

Enemy at the Gates

Bob Hoskins as Krushchev

"Staaa-lin-Graaad".

Shite.

 

[Red Faction]

spartacus wasnt bad.
neither was gladiator!

overall tho, i think it has to be between starwars and lord of the rings

 

[Ryazan]

I am ashamed to say that I have never seen Spartacus.

 

[fishfingerer]

Bob Hoskins as Krushchev

"Staaa-lin-Graaad".

Shite.

Yeah, Vinny Jones should have played the jewish commissar. Headbutting retreating russian troops to death. "Not a fackin step back you slaaags!"

 

[Ryazan]

Krushchev wasn't a Jew.

 

[Johnny Canuck3]

Just watched Enemy At The Gates. Load of cobblers. Looks fantastic, potentially great story, but ruined by apparently being more concerned with anti-commie sentiment than anything. And does Jude Law cut it as an illiterate Russian peasant? Does he bollocks.

What anti commie sentiment?

They did in fact shoot slackers and deserters.

 

[The Boy]

Would have to be Das Boot, with The Longest Day coming a close second.

 

[keane4president]

The Dirty Dozen for me

 

[Grandma Death]

Is Salvador any good?

IMO Oliver Stones finest film. James Woods give a career best performance as well.

 

[fishfingerer]

Krushchev wasn't a Jew.

The Danilov character was.

 

[Sorry.]

What anti commie sentiment?

They did in fact shoot slackers and deserters.

Erm, Danilov's big speech at the end about how communism doesn't work because we aren't all equal? Zaitsev bollocking on about wanting to be a factory boss?

It was if they couldn't bare that Zaitsev fought for the commies, so had to go "but he was really one of us, nudge nudge wink wink"

 

[Divisive Cotton]

What no Kelly's Heroes?

 

[fishfingerer]

I've been such a fool, Vassili. Man will always be a man. There is no new man. We tried so hard to create a society that was equal, where there'd be nothing to envy your neighbour. But there's always something to envy. A smile, a friendship, something you don't have and want to appropriate. In this world, even a Soviet one, there will always be rich and poor. Rich in gifts, poor in gifts. Rich in love, poor in love.

He might as well have added "Hitler was spot on when he said 'The idea of struggle is old as life itself, for life is only preserved because other living things perish through struggle… In this struggle, the stronger, the more able, win, while the less able, the weak, lose. Struggle is the father of all things… If you do not fight for life, then life will never be won.....Those who want to live, let them fight, and those who do not want to fight in this world of eternal struggle do not deserve to live.'" And then changed sides.

Can't remember the last time I've seen the nazis portrayed so awfully decently.

 

[Badgers]

All Quiet on the Western Front

Loved the book, is the film any good?

 

[jodal]

I voted for The Deer Hunter but I love Bridge On The River... and Full Metal Jacket as well. The all time best war movie is a Thin Red Line. Cant believe that wasnt included on this list!

 

[nightowl]

What else were they supposed to do with them? (Serious question given the circumstances)

wasn't questioning the morality of it. obviously when you look back and judge things that happened ages ago compared to our outlook today lots of things look well dodgy. was merely pointing out that the film manages to avoid an incident which was a significant element of the battle but which might not look too good on screen.

 

[Batley]

You know the bit where Michael Caine says 'Don't shoot till you see the whites of their eyes' ? -well he doesn't. There is no evidence that the real Lieutenant Bromhead said it either.

Zulu is a wonderful film. Zulu Dawn about the Zulu victory at Islandwhana the previous day is unfortunately dreadful. The Battle of Ulundi where the British totally massacre the Zulus through overwhelming fire-power and then take Chief Cetewayo prisoner and parade him in London as comedy savage has not yet been made into a film. I don't think it will be.

P.S. Chief Buthelezi plays his grandpa in Zulu.

 

[nightowl]

You know the bit where Michael Caine says 'Don't shoot till you see the whites of their eyes' ? -well he doesn't. There is no evidence that the real Lieutenant Bromhead said it either.

didn't many of those involved in the battle say later that bromhead and chard were a pair of buffoons, merely decorated because of being officers?

 

[fishfingerer]

Can anyone recommend good book about what happened at Rorke's Drift.

 

[Batley]

Not sure about that but I like Chard's style here:

'In wrecking the stores in my wagon, the Zulus had brought to light a forgotten bottle of beer, and Bromhead and I drank it with mutual congratulations on having come safely out of so much danger."