whats the best war film ever?

[jmc]

I like CROSS OF IRON too.  

SAVING PRIVATE RYAN has a good first part and the best battle sequences, but in the end it doesn't bring anything new to the table.   I'd put it in a top 10 list, but it wouldn't be in the top 5.

[ulthar]

Personally, I give SPR big points for effects and 'realism' in battle scenes.  Add to that the pure emotion (read terror) these scenes evoke, and it is a 'winner.'

However, I do agree with you, jmc, that SPR is weaker than many other films on the basis of its story.

[jmc]

Oh, and another thumbs up here for STALINGRAD.

[Scott]

There are so many that I'm wouldn't want to forget any of them. Some of my favorite are:

Pork Chop Hill (one of my all time favorites)
A Bridge to Far
Sands of Iwo Jima
Tora Tora Tora !
Bridge on the River Kwai
The Great Escape
Stalag 17
Battle of the Bulge
Bridge at Reigiman (spelling ?)
Paths of Glory (WWI)
The Three Kings (Gulf War)
Black Hawk Down (didn't like the ending)
Patton
Kellys Heros
To Hell and Back
Run Silent Run Deep
The Longest Day
Platoon (Vietnam)
Apocolypse Now
Full Metal Jacket

There are some b/w ones that I can remember the titles to them. Watched them all when I was a kid. Never missed a WWII film  when they came on. You also have other films from other time periods like CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE (60's version) and WATERLOO, HENRY IV, etc. I also like mercenary films like WILD GEESE and DOGS OF WAR.

[Eirik]

Black Hawk Down (didn't like the ending)

*****  What about the ending, exactly?  I thought the voice over of the soldier's letter home was pretty good.

What I hated about the movie was the gutless way Ridley Scott backed down from showing what the gutless Somalis did with their women and children - they marched them down the street and hid behind them as they fired at our guys.  I find it reprehensible that this atrocity was left out of the movie.  Was he afraid the Somali warlords would boycott Paramount?

[Max Gardner]

HA! Someone else appreciates the psychotic wonder that is Fantasy Mission Force.  Truly an incredible movie.  As for the BEST war movie, I'd have to go with Apocalypse Now, with Full Metal Jacket in second place.

[Scott]

I understand that Eirik about the woman and children, but I couldn't stand the U.N. person with the tea (or drink) with the towel over his arm.

And even if it is true that the U.N. had to help us out, I still didn't like it. The U.S. should have had more resolve to handle it alone and completely if you know what I mean.

[Eirik]

"And even if it is true that the U.N. had to help us out, I still didn't like it. The U.S. should have had more resolve to handle it alone and completely if you know what I mean."

The end of the movie was factual in terms of the UN - although I think you missed the point.  UN help (sending APCs to pick our guys up) was slow and poorly coordinated.  Additionally, it might be argued that by the point they showed up, we'd already broken the Somalis ourselves (9,000 dead by conservative estimates).  So I think the point was we couldn't count on their help.

As for us (by which I mean the sitting president) losing resolve - that's factual too, though you may not like it.

[Bgrade]

Well since this is a  "bad" movie forum.  A guess some one should give a nod to "The Dirty Dozen."

Not a great movie but I always watch it when it is on TV. And I'm always entertained.

It's become a classic.

[JohnL]

>Have you read the book by chance? My first attempt (about five years ago) led
>to nightmares. I did finish it on the second try (this past fall).

No, I've never read it.

>Personally, I give SPR big points for effects and 'realism' in battle scenes.

I realize this may a dumb question, but does machine gun fire actually blow the victim's body into little pieces?

[odinn7]

.50 caliber machine gun fire will blow bodies into pieces but who's to say how small?

[Flangepart]

Band Of Brothers.
God, what a show. I heard the audio book of Ambrose's telling. There were some differances, but mostly, they got it right.
And some of those magnificent Bastards are still alive. I get the feeling, meeting the survivors, particulary the Capt., was a moveing experiance for the actors.
Dale Dye sure got those guys into the "G.I." way pretty well, diden't he?

[Ash]

Speaking of Band of Brothers.....

Remember Bill Guarnere (Gonnorhea) from the series?
The ol' timer is still alive and has his own website.....check it out here:  

http://www.wildbillguarnere.com

He has a mercantile in it where you can purchase some really cool items...one in particular is the hardcover edition of Band of Brothers (the book) personally autographed by Wild Bill himself.

I'd love to have that!

[Scott]

No doubt that was covered that in the film, but the impression at the end was for me different. Don't mind me Eirik as I just do not like the U.N. at all and wouldn't accept their help at any cost. The guy offering the drink at the end was like an insult . Sometimes its better to die.

[Scott]

I'll add THE DIRTY DOZEN to my list anyday.