War movie, and gun

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Pete_H

A Fixture
Joined
Aug 20, 2003
Messages
1,140
Can you be more specific about which "gun" are you looking for? Particularly ...
1. which battle/war
2. which nation's soldiers involved?
3. what historical era?
 
Though it's more of a drama than anything else, the movie to me that best portrays the "look" of a historical period would have to be "The duelists".~Gary
 
"Military Small Arms of the 20th Century", by Ian Hogg and John Weeks is an excellent book on guns. They release a new edition every 4-5 years. It includes photo, data, description and history of most of the weapons used by any army since 1900
 
For me, I'd have to say Das Boot. It's quite intense if you can imagine yourself in such a situation (a U-boat crewman, I mean).
 
Francis,
Favorite one is 'Das Boot," eh? Here's something to think about: the U-505 is on display at the Chicago Museum of Science & Technology. Talk about a good excuse for going to the Chicago show ;) Unfortunately, the U-505 is closed until next year, while a new underground facility is being built to put it on display in.
 
How about "The Big Red One" with Lee Marvin, David Carraden, Mark Hamill, etc. That movie got me hooked as a kid on anything military.
 
Jason M: yeah, "GI Jedi" is pretty good. I've heard lots of stories about Lee Marvin's clashes with the "military advisors" for that movie. Apparently, they were incorrectly instructing the cast on field-stripping the M1 Garand ... that is, until former US Marine PFC Marvin stepped in. He was also quoted as yelling at an assistant "never f**k with a soldier's leggings!"

My top 5 (in no particular order):
1. The Guns of Navarone. More of an adventure movie than just "good vs. bad."
2. Band of Brothers. Gee, no surprise there.
3. A Bridge Too Far.
4. Saving Pvt. Ryan.
5. and, of course, Kelly's Heroes. "Ooooooooh baby, don't hit me with them negative waves so early in the morning."
 
10 favorite WWII Movies... today... tomorrow could be 10 different ones... no particular order:
1. The Bridge on the River Kwai ~ Be happy in your work.
2. The Guns of Navarone ~ You've got me in the mood to use this thing,so think of something, or by God, I'll use it on you!
3. Battleground ~ We've had good deals before, but this is the best one yet. This is great. I don't ever wanna go back. I found a home in the army.
4.Tora! Tora! Tora! ~ Pvt. Elliot: Sir, this is Private Elliot at Opana Point. There's a large formation of planes coming in from the north - 140 miles, 3 degrees east.

Lt. Tyler: Yeah? Well... Don't worry about it.

5. Stalag 17~ I'm tellin' ya, Animal, these Nazis just ain't kosher.
6. Sands of Iwo Jima ~ SADDLE UP.
7. Saving Private Ryan ~ It's like finding a needle in a stack of needles.
8. The Great Escape ~ Afraid this tea's pathetic. Must have used these wretched leaves about twenty times. It's not that I mind so much. Tea without milk is so uncivilized.
9. Operation Petticoat ~ When a girl is under 21 she's protected by law. When she's over 65 she's protected by nature. Anywhere in between, she's fair game. Look out.
10. The Big Red One ~ You know how you smoke out a sniper? You send a guy out in the open and you see if he gets shot. They thought that one up at West Point.
 
I saw a retitled movie (a Foreign movie I think its from Russia dubbed in english) "The Greatest Battle" It is about the Battle of Kursk. It is an epic movie in a very large scale. This was about 30+ years ago. They used a lot of modified T-34 tanks that looks like Tiger I just like the one you see in Kelly's Heroes x 20 in scale and a lot assortment of T-34's. There was the amazing malee of tank to tank battle at a very close range. There was a night scene batte that the Russian used their headlights to destinguish them as friendly. I saw a bit of the movie which they use in documentary movies from the History Channel and the Discovery Channel. I wish I know where to get this movie or what the actual title of the movie. Most foreign released movies does not have the same title as the original.
 
Did not see Breaker Morant or Path's of Glory mentioned here. Two very good war (and anti war) movies.

Keith
 
Yo Gents

Must concur wholeheartedly with Petey's choices of the "Band of Brothers" miniseries, and "Saving Private Ryan." Writer Paul Fussell has written that they should rerelease just the first half hour of "Saving Pvt. Ryan" and retitling it as "Why You Should Be Glad You Weren't at Omaha Beach." I'd like to add to the master list of ALL TIME GREAT WAR MOVIES, even if I can't understand half the dialogue, is Kenneth Branagh's version of "Henry V." A classic universal story of war and warriors showcasing the batttle of Agincourt, albeit a stripped and stylized rendering thereof, yet containing some of the most kick-ass inspiring HOO-AH speeches ever uttered in the English language. Also the heraldry is first rate.
Great flick.

John
 
Sorry JohnnyBoy, but the most "kick ass HOO-AH speech" ever recorded on film is, without a doubt, George C. Scott's opening speech in "Patton." As if you didn't see that one coming :)

Another movie that I'm surprised hasn't been mentioned is "Stalingrad." It's always fascinating to see a movie from "the other side's perspective." What those guys endured - at least on film - is staggering. Then, of course, there's "Das Boot." Too bad the U-505 is temporarily closed down, otherwise I'd suggest a roadtrip to see it when in Chicago this October (you are going, right?).
 
Yo Petey

Hmmm... I see you straining upon the start, the game's afoot, follow your spirit and upon this charge cry GOD FOR HARRY! ENGLAND! AND SAINT GEORGE!

...O God of Battles, Steel the hearts of my soldiers...

...this story shall the good man teach his son and Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go from this day to the ending of the world but, we, in it shall be remembered--We few, we happy few, WE BAND OF BROTHERS...

versus

...well, I shoveled [expletive] in Louisiana.

No contest, Bro, the Bard wins hand down. (although, yes, I have trouble remembering my bank card PIN code, I can recite the entire "Patton Speech" verbatim, especially when drunk) "Stalingrad" is a pretty good flick until they all start getting whiney and all poor pitiful me about the predicament they got themselves into, screw 'em, they were nazis. Ivan did the world a world of good by converting so many of them into good nazis...lest we forget.
Hey, nobody mentioned "Hamburger Hill" or "Hanoi Hilton." Sup with that?
How about "The Red Badge of Courage?" I know, cheesey uniforms and bad acting, but at least it starred two guys who actually saw combat (Lee Marvin notwithstanding) Audie Murphey and Bill Mauldin. Obviously I could go on and on, so I'll spare y'all
Adios Muchachos
John

p.s. Pork Chop Hill, Waterloo, Battleground, The Victors, Little Big Man, Last of the Mohicans, Dr. Strangelove, Northwest Passage, Three Kings, 84 Charlie Mopic, Oh What a Lovely War, When Trumpets Fade, Spartacus, Young Winston, Longest Day, Platoon and on and on
 

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