Question:
The subject basically says it all, but I just recently bought full metal jacket and was slightly disappointed. I was expecting some sort of an epic, like the traditional war films but found the plot too narrow and the superb quotes seemed to be the only shining light.
So on to my question, what do you regard as the best war film, or which would you recommend, baring in mind I'm after quite a deep, lengthy one...cheers...
the brentmiester
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My favorite is 'A Bridge To Far' although 'The Longest Day' is very good as well.
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yeap, won't go far wrong with "The longest Day" also can't mention War films without "Saving Private Ryan"
You might be interested in "Casualties of War " (not very long though) and "the Thin Red Line" last but not least "Apocalypse Now" :)
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I've got a soft spot for Platoon. I never get sick of watching that.
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Great Escape is a classic and probably my fave
Bridge over the river kwai good stuff
apocolypse now damn fine movie
mojo
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Attack! is an excellent war film and has just been released on DVD. It does an excellent job on dealing with the subject of cowardice.
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hamburger hill kicks ass
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Not a film, but the Band of Brothers DVD boxset is damn good.
Gary A
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War of the Worlds :thumbs: Classic :thumbs:
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Another vote for Band of Brothers, very much enjoyed
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Band of brothers, and Saving private Ryan.
Both top stuff.:)
Spoony.
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Where Eagles Dare - Oi! Where has that promised DVD got to them?
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Blast - double post - sorry!
Whilst I am here lets mention Ice Cold in Alex as well......
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Captain Hornblower
The Green Beret
The Hunt For Red October (Cold War?)
The Last Of The Mohicans (F & I War?)
Memphis Belle (the footage...the footage..)
Sink The Bismark!
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My favourite war film is Saving Private Ryan. We Were Soldiers comes a very close second.
I just recently watched The Life and Times of Colonel Blimp which was surprisingly good. I don't usually dig older movies, but this one rocked. But it's not really about war, more about friendship :)
Originally posted by damell
The subject basically says it all, but I just recently bought full metal jacket and was slightly disappointed. I was expecting some sort of an epic, like the traditional war films but found the plot too narrow and the superb quotes seemed to be the only shining light.
I saw this earlier this week for the first time and thought it a remarkable film that speaks volumes about dehumanisation. You definitely had the wrong expectations about it but come on, seriously, did you really expect Stanley Kubrick to make a regular gung-ho war epic? :|
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3 essentials told from the russian and german points of view are
Come and see
all quiet on the western front
das boot.
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I like all the mainstream stuff. Cross of Iron has always been a favorite of mine, but is a little heavier going at times, but not as much as The Thin Red Line. Older British made movies like The Wooden Horse, The Enemy Within, Colditz, The Silver Fleet, etc. are always worth a viewing.
For those who are interested, Operation Amsterdam (recently released on R1 DVD) is on Channel 4 this coming Friday afternoon. Will probably record and put on a DVD-R to have a PAL recording to go with my R1 copy.
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Originally posted by cervaro
Will probably record and put on a DVD-R to have a PAL recording to go with my R1 copy.
:dork:
:lol:
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Platoon for me. :thumbs:
But also rate The Great Escape, Thin Red Line, SPR, Das Boot, A Bridge Too Far, The Battle of Britain and Full Metal Jacket. :)
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Private Ryan and Band of Brothers for me...
'Nam films it has to be Apoc Now!!
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Bestest ? Oh dear...
Anyway, try:
<b>Cross Of Iron
Patton
Attack !
Come and See
Casualties of War
Salvador
Under Fire</b>
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Paths of Glory.
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we were soldiers
band of brothers
das boot
platoon
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I find most boring but i really enjoyed Black Hawk Down
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i have just watched 'tears from the sun' which was really good, and also although not a true war film 'THE HILL' is a great film (is that out on DVD yet?
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>So on to my question, what do you regard as the best war film, or which would you recommend, baring in mind I'm after quite a deep, lengthy one...cheers...
I recommend 'Bridge on the River Kwai'. A thoroughly absorbing POW tale with a great cast headed by William Holden & Alec Guiness. Impeccably produced, photographer & edited. It's a fascinating study of culture clash between East & West & a tale of personal obsession as Guinesses' British officer gets carried away with the building of a bridge for military use by the Japs. Perfectly pitched direction by David Lean. Not at all your usual POW tale.
Equally recommended is 'Patton', a quite exceptional biography of the American general & his military campaigns. Shrewd, perceptive screenplay by Francis Ford Coppola (just before he made 'The Godfather'), spectacular & graphic battle scenes, top direction by Franklin Schaffner and a brilliant music score by Jerry Goldsmith.
If deep, lengthy war films are your scene make sure you check out both of the above.
>quote:
Originally posted by damell
The subject basically says it all, but I just recently bought full metal jacket and was slightly disappointed. I was expecting some sort of an epic, like the traditional war films but found the plot too narrow and the superb quotes seemed to be the only shining light.
Originally posted by Squirrel God
>seriously, did you really expect Stanley Kubrick to make a regular gung-ho war epic?
No, instead he made an entirely predictable anti-war piece.
I don't remember being terribly impressed by the anti-war 'Paths of Glory', which Kubrick made back in the 50's, but it's miles better than 'Full Metal Jacket' IMO.
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In order:
Apocalypse Now
Saving Private Ryan
The Deer Hunter
The Great Escape
Platoon
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Without a doubt:
Come and See
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I like all the usual WWII fare - The Great Escape,The Dirty Dozen,The Guns Of Navarone & Where Eagles Dare but iif your looking for one les well known I'd recommend A Midnight Clear.
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Originally posted by Mike
Bestest ? Oh dear...
Surely I was just being silly? Anyway thanks for the response, it was simply overwhelming!
To be honest with you, I didn't even realise half of these films existed, so I'll have to have a dig around imdb. I think I'll go for a more modern title though...umm, yeah, modern...maybe band of brothers perhaps..
So thanks again, be sure to keep them coming maggots!
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I'm currently ploughing through the Russian Cinema Council's extensive collection of Soviet war films - reviews already up include <A HREF="http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/index.cgi?page=Review&id=309&story=2257">Ballad of a Soldier</A>, <A HREF="http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/index.cgi?page=Review&id=535&story=2624">The Cranes Are Flying</A>, <A HREF="http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/index.cgi?page=Review&id=535&story=2624">Father of a Soldier</A> and <A HREF="http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/index.cgi?page=Review&id=1324&story=4364">Torpedo Bombers</A> with <I>Come and See</I> and Tarkovsky's <I>Ivan's Childhood</I> on the way.
All are recommended with varying degrees of enthusiasm - <I>Come and See</I> is probably the standout, though <I>Ivan's Childhood, Ballad of a Soldier</I> and <I>The Cranes are Flying</I> are also hugely impressive.
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Saving Private Ryan (though i'm a little disappointed that no-one's mentioned Three Kings yet!) Anyone want to stick their neck out and go with Pearl Harbor?! :p
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Great Escape and The Battle of Britain
I just lurve the sound of them Merlin engines:clap:
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Apocalypse Now
Catch 22
Grave of the Fireflies
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I go with
Tigerland
The Great Escape
Stalag 17
Full Metal Jacket
Platoon
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My favourite's are (in no order):
Casualties of War
Platoon
Full Metal Jacket
Apocalypse Now (dunno about the Redux cut as I ain't seen it)
Tigerland
The Deer Hunter
Band of Brothers (not a film I know but it was ace)
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Casualties of War, Platoon, Cross Of Iron and Band Of Brothers tied. I've found I detest Saving Private Ryan more every time I see it (probably because the appaling characterisation so spectacuarly torpeadoes the powerful -- if plagerised -- action sequences that bookend the film).
I love Apocalypse Now, but it's first and foremost Heart Of Darkness set in Vietetnam than a realistic war film.
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Originally posted by Chief Brody
Saving Private Ryan (though i'm a little disappointed that no-one's mentioned Three Kings yet!) Anyone want to stick their neck out and go with Pearl Harbor?! :p
I honestly think the visuals attack sequence, from the planes juxtaposed against the woman hanging out her washing to the spectacularly exploding battleship, couldn't have been bettered.
The rest, including whenever someone opened their mouths as the bombs fell, was unmitaged ***** of course.
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Enemy at the Gates is pretty good - the scenes of the river crossing to Stalingrad and the following battle are (almost) as harrowing as the beach landing in Saving Private Ryan.
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My thoughts on the following movies:
- Saving private Ryan (just superb)
- Platoon (my fave Nam movie)
- Das Boot (long and in German, but well worth it)
- Full Metal Jacket (first half is superb, downhill after that)
- Enemy at the Gates (terrible, and the English accents are annoying!)
- Casualties of War (good, but parts of it are just silly)
- Apocalypse Now (excellent, but needs repeat viewings to appreciate)
- Deer Hunter (superb, but not really a war movie)
- Tigerland (very good)
- 3 kings (very good, surprisingly thoughtful for a Hollywood action flick)
- Hamburger Hill (good in places, especially if you liek Nam films)
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1.battle of britain
2.where eagles dare
3.a bridge too far
4.the great escape
5.guns of naverone
6.dambusters
7.eagle has landed
8.bridge on the river kwai
9.kellys heros
10. saving private ryan
11. band of brothers
12.enemy at the gate
13.sink the bismarck
14.battle of the river plate
15.633 squadron
16.tobruck
17.too late the hero
18.dunkirk
19.colditz
20.ice cold in alex
21.a hill in korea
22.desert rats
23.tora tora tora
Ok that will do for now lol
just thought of some more i like
24.hannibal brooks
25.the wooden horse
26.password is courage
27.the malta story
28.appointment in london
29.operation crossbow
30.heros of telemark
31.the crule sea
32.desert rats
33.i was montys double
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Platoon(...excellent, Berenger's best film to date)
Enemy at the Gates(...accents were awful but battle scenes awsome)
Deer Hunter(...fantastic film, one of my all time faves)
Saving Private Ryan(...very realistic says he who's never been anywhere near a war)
Escape to Victory(...oh c'mon :D )
Pearl Harbour(...the action scenes are superb and the film ain't really as bad as everyone keeps saying...especially those who have never even seen it :rolleyes: )
Missing in Action( :lol: )
...can't think of any others I like at the mo...must go and do some work ;) :D
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I liked Enemy At The Gates. :suspect:
The accents are only a slight blip on what is otherwise a good film for me. :thumbs:
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yea i agree lol the accents were quite funny lol but i liked the film too.
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43 posts and no mention of Sam Fuller's <i>The Big Red One</i> :suspect: :oh-hum:
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Cross of Iron
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I have been playing a lot of Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory recently so at the momment these are my fav WW2 movies:
1. Band of Brothers
2. Great Escape, The
3. Cross of Iron
4. Saving Private Ryan
5. Enemy at the Gates
6. Where Eagles Dare
7. Bridge on the River Kwai, The
8. Dirty Dozen, The
9. Guns of Navarone, The
10. Soldier of Orange
I also like Vietnam war movies:
1. Platoon
2. Deer Hunter, The
3. Apocalypse Now
4. Full Metal Jacket
5. Bullet in the Head
6. Casualties of War
7. Rambo: First Blood Part II
8. Born on the Fourth of July
9. Tigerland
10. Hamburger Hill
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The Empire Strikes Back
:dork:
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Casablanca
:dork: :dork: :dork:
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Originally posted by Squirrel God
I saw this earlier this week for the first time and thought it a remarkable film that speaks volumes about dehumanisation. You definitely had the wrong expectations about it but come on, seriously, did you really expect Stanley Kubrick to make a regular gung-ho war epic? :|
Exactly. Definitely best war film, though it's more than just a "war" film and can be transplanted to any war (in fact isn't the novel based on a different war?). Then I'm a biased Stan fan anyway, plus I love anti-war films :D
Another great "war" film if you like, happens to come from Stan as well...
Paths of Glory
Again, no gung-ho epic :D
and to some degree, Dr Strangelove.
If I had to make a list I guess it might be something like...
1. Full Metal Jacket
2. Paths of Glory
3. Dr Strangelove (if you can count it being futuristic/cold-war)
4. The Deerhunter ('post-nam' really)
5. Apocalypse Now (isn't even 'nam' or hardly anything about war)
6. Platoon
7. Lawrence of Arabia
8. Barry Lyndon (well, parts of it, and I have to chuck in another Stan film :D)
9. MASH
10. Schindler's List (has to get a mention)
and tacked on the bottom...
11. The Longest Day
12. Saving Private Ryan - first half hour, the rest is awful
Plus Band of Brothers, but not in the list as it's not a film and only for some episodes.
Oh, and Starship Troopers :D
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Stalingrad is one of my favs.
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Originally posted by angel_eyes
- Enemy at the Gates (terrible, and the English accents are annoying!)
The film makers had three options here. Film the movie in German and Russian, film it in English with hammy accents, or film it in the actors' own accents.
If you're filming people who speak a foreign language in English, option three is the only viable one. In Conspiracy, the amazing HBO film about the Warnsee Conference (where the Nazis planned the Holocaust in 1941), all the actors bar one (an American) speak in English accents, and it doesn't detract a bit from the plot.
Incidentally, Conspiracy would win by a mile, except it's not strictly a war film.
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Definately Cross of Iron or A Bridge Too Far :)
I`ve also got a soft spot for Blue Max (hanibal smith as a nazi pilot :nuts: )
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Definately agree with Balddog. Stalingrad is superb. :thumbs:
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I've only ever seen bits of Stalingrad, but have held off buying the DVD as there doesn't seen to be a really good all round package available, e.g. letterboxed, English dub, etc. Anamorphic widescreen with the original German audio & English subtitles would be the best for me. Anything better on the horizon?