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Battle of britain, was apparently won by the americans
Frank S and Whitey,
You made very interesting and valid points about the sad state of affairs of Hollywood film industry when reenacting certain war events.
About some of the American war films such as Platoon, The Deer Hunter, Apocalypse Now, Full Metal Jacket, Born on the 4th of July (although I find Tom Cruise quite irritating most of the time) etc, what did you think about they way these type of films were portrayed? I thought they were quite good and thought provoking.
(Sorry Tab, back to your question )
You made very interesting and valid points about the sad state of affairs of Hollywood film industry when reenacting certain war events.
About some of the American war films such as Platoon, The Deer Hunter, Apocalypse Now, Full Metal Jacket, Born on the 4th of July (although I find Tom Cruise quite irritating most of the time) etc, what did you think about they way these type of films were portrayed? I thought they were quite good and thought provoking.
(Sorry Tab, back to your question )
.... wait.... thats what sthis whole discussion is bout now ain't it 
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Frank S.
- Guest
Marina, I enjoyed all the movies you listed for various reasons, except one: "Platoon".
We could go over the historical inaccuracies of all of them, but hell, they're movies and in terms of acting, direction and story-lines I find them entertaining and some even absorbing.
But "Platoon" sticks out for me because of what I think is a bad script. I expected better from Oliver Stone who's an accomplished screenwriter. But the oversimplification of placing his character played by Charlie Sheen between the good and bad sergeants (Willem Dafoe and Tom Berenger) was too much. Too obvious.
I couldn't recommend it.
On another note, I saw "catch-22" again two nights ago and found it very amusing. Go figure, huh?
We could go over the historical inaccuracies of all of them, but hell, they're movies and in terms of acting, direction and story-lines I find them entertaining and some even absorbing.
But "Platoon" sticks out for me because of what I think is a bad script. I expected better from Oliver Stone who's an accomplished screenwriter. But the oversimplification of placing his character played by Charlie Sheen between the good and bad sergeants (Willem Dafoe and Tom Berenger) was too much. Too obvious.
I couldn't recommend it.
On another note, I saw "catch-22" again two nights ago and found it very amusing. Go figure, huh?
Marina,
Like Frank said they are good flicks. Full Metal Jacket will bring you as close to the Corps as any outsider could get. During the boot camp part sniff a tin of kiwi shoe polish and you are there, in the combat potion eat a rare steak and you are as close as you can get.
Platoon was simple, but Stone based the movie off of his own experiences I thought. I figured the movie showed the oddessey of the human soul that lives in every soldier struggling with right, wrong, morals, loyalty ect.. in the most insane environment. I thought it was slightly cool.
Another thing to keep in mind is the liberal slant in all of them (Which I liked actually) and understand the movie makers were from the Vietnam generation, and the worst thing to do in the US is make inaccurate comments or say anything about Vietnam unless you got your story straight, those Vet's won't think twice to tell you to go someplace, so I think the consulting was done better. The WW2 generation is just about gone, so now is the time for Hollywood to re-write history.
Notice there aren't many flicks about Korea. I don't know, I figure movies are just that though. Hardly does a movie show things for like they are. Jackass the movie I think represented the average American very well though.
Like Frank said they are good flicks. Full Metal Jacket will bring you as close to the Corps as any outsider could get. During the boot camp part sniff a tin of kiwi shoe polish and you are there, in the combat potion eat a rare steak and you are as close as you can get.
Platoon was simple, but Stone based the movie off of his own experiences I thought. I figured the movie showed the oddessey of the human soul that lives in every soldier struggling with right, wrong, morals, loyalty ect.. in the most insane environment. I thought it was slightly cool.
Another thing to keep in mind is the liberal slant in all of them (Which I liked actually) and understand the movie makers were from the Vietnam generation, and the worst thing to do in the US is make inaccurate comments or say anything about Vietnam unless you got your story straight, those Vet's won't think twice to tell you to go someplace, so I think the consulting was done better. The WW2 generation is just about gone, so now is the time for Hollywood to re-write history.
Notice there aren't many flicks about Korea. I don't know, I figure movies are just that though. Hardly does a movie show things for like they are. Jackass the movie I think represented the average American very well though.
Let them call me a rebel and I welcome it, I feel no concern from it; but I should suffer the misery of demons were I to make a whore of my soul. (Thomas Paine)
Movies are make believe stories. They are made to sell tickets, rent DVDs, and in some cases move merchandise. Money is the bottom line. From what I am hearing it sounds like ya'll think that we get our history from the movies. Let me assure you, most Americans don't know a wheelbarrow of muleshit from real history. Most Americans don't care. Most Americans believe whatever the talking heads and leftist socialist thought police teachers and college profs tell them to believe. Personally I do not have a problem with this as it will allow me to take over the North American Continent with relative ease and start my own country, the Republic of Bill.
Someone mentioned our relatively short history over here. Well damn, you're right. Does that make the history we do have any less important to us? Seem to remember a period in Britain's history when YOU were the dominant world power. What would your movies have been like had modern hollywood been around then? No matter, all empires end and I believe ours will soon enough. Get your shots in now.
Someone mentioned our relatively short history over here. Well damn, you're right. Does that make the history we do have any less important to us? Seem to remember a period in Britain's history when YOU were the dominant world power. What would your movies have been like had modern hollywood been around then? No matter, all empires end and I believe ours will soon enough. Get your shots in now.
life is hard, its harder if you're stupid.
Micheal Caine, Zulu, what a flick! I got it on DVD and VHS. Redcoats, cannons, rifles, bean counter ammo hoarders, lazy soldiers, a stern unwavering sergeant, know it all officers. I love that movie. Oh and the best part is the spear chunkers charging the best organized infantry of the age. Cut down like sticks, those Zulu just kept charging and falling. Hey Sticky you are old aren't you? Did you fight in that battle? I bet Chunky taught Michael Caine the bayonet drill.
Zulu Dawn is another good one. The Queens nephew, the end where the officer shoots the guidon free rather than let the savages have the Colors. Me and my dad used to watch that one on TBS every other sunday.The NAACP probably had it banned, haven't seen that one in a long time.
The Battle of Britian was a UK victory won by the people of the UK mostly, like the war with Japan was really our win in the end.
In the end war movies aren't made for soldiers pleasure, it is put on for the layman on the subject, and sure Hollywood needs to attract people, lies are great for that, and they need to turn a profit.
Vietnam flicks mostly show drug addicted soldiers counting days and spraying napalm on children and nuking the countryside. I figure that happened a few times, but the average troop was a clean cut kid who showed up to do his duty, in the end he was sent home in a box, or came home wiser to things, or is still part of some hillside. Hollywood has us think we got 19 year old men still overthere in tiger cages.
Or they did for a good part of the 80's, and why? To feed on the curiosity, and emotions. No soldiers in those cages, if there ever was they were long since let loose or died as a result of.
Zulu Dawn is another good one. The Queens nephew, the end where the officer shoots the guidon free rather than let the savages have the Colors. Me and my dad used to watch that one on TBS every other sunday.The NAACP probably had it banned, haven't seen that one in a long time.
The Battle of Britian was a UK victory won by the people of the UK mostly, like the war with Japan was really our win in the end.
In the end war movies aren't made for soldiers pleasure, it is put on for the layman on the subject, and sure Hollywood needs to attract people, lies are great for that, and they need to turn a profit.
Vietnam flicks mostly show drug addicted soldiers counting days and spraying napalm on children and nuking the countryside. I figure that happened a few times, but the average troop was a clean cut kid who showed up to do his duty, in the end he was sent home in a box, or came home wiser to things, or is still part of some hillside. Hollywood has us think we got 19 year old men still overthere in tiger cages.
Or they did for a good part of the 80's, and why? To feed on the curiosity, and emotions. No soldiers in those cages, if there ever was they were long since let loose or died as a result of.
Let them call me a rebel and I welcome it, I feel no concern from it; but I should suffer the misery of demons were I to make a whore of my soul. (Thomas Paine)
I knew it! Caine was a soldier. Sorry for the joke Chunky, Sticky but I thought it was funny. Actually wasn't it you who posted the British actors turned soldiers vice versa web site? Obi w@#k was a real Jedi in WW2 I remember. Could you imagine now, Tommy Franks in "The Son of Scarface" or Colin Powell in "I'm Gonna Get You Sucka".
I like them Zulu movies, the Brits got rid of them heathens faster than HIV, that is for sure. Where would Bono be if the UK went back to Africa and De-Zulufied it again? Well Bono would be conscripted and the UK would be richer and probably an financial rival with the US and therefore an enemy. Well in that case maybe we should enjoy the movie.
I like them Zulu movies, the Brits got rid of them heathens faster than HIV, that is for sure. Where would Bono be if the UK went back to Africa and De-Zulufied it again? Well Bono would be conscripted and the UK would be richer and probably an financial rival with the US and therefore an enemy. Well in that case maybe we should enjoy the movie.
Let them call me a rebel and I welcome it, I feel no concern from it; but I should suffer the misery of demons were I to make a whore of my soul. (Thomas Paine)
Col-Sgt Frank Bourne DCM,the Senior NCO during the Defence of Rorke's Drift,he rose to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel and was awarded the OBE during his long and distinguished career,he died in Beckenham Kent on the 8th of May 1945.Truly great Soldier.Aye JR Who needs the World as your Oyster,When you've had the world as your cap Badge
I posted a comment further up the page when I asked if ant one knew what happened to the eight American Eagle Squadrons once America joined the war.
Well America turned around and demanded that they would only work for America, they refused to allow them to carry on flying for the RAF. They then threatened any pilot that did not rejoin American forces that they would be stripped of American citizenship and would be refused entry to America after the war. Churchill though the had made arrangement for the these Squadrons to continue as such through out the war, but as soon as they were handed back they were broken up. Most of the pilots did not ever fly again as no American Commander wanted a battle harden RAF pilot sitting on his wing telling him he was doing it all wrong, so they were pensioned off into staff jobs, a fitting reward for some brave men.
Well America turned around and demanded that they would only work for America, they refused to allow them to carry on flying for the RAF. They then threatened any pilot that did not rejoin American forces that they would be stripped of American citizenship and would be refused entry to America after the war. Churchill though the had made arrangement for the these Squadrons to continue as such through out the war, but as soon as they were handed back they were broken up. Most of the pilots did not ever fly again as no American Commander wanted a battle harden RAF pilot sitting on his wing telling him he was doing it all wrong, so they were pensioned off into staff jobs, a fitting reward for some brave men.
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Frank S.
- Guest
