In regard to the 100 Greatest War Films, I have to say it was highly enjoyable. Most of the movies I expected to see were there, the graphics between each were excellent, and instead of boring chat in a studio by an unwanted "presenter" holding up proceedings, we had the pleasure of Sean Pertwee's sparing narration. None of these "Greatest" lists could ever hope to please everyone, some have infuriated me, but this was well balanced. Obviously I agree some omissions were a surprise, "Waterloo" as mentioned a curious absentee. Two movies I did anticipate, admittedly in the lower half, were The Blue Max, with exceptional aerial photography, and dealing with WW1 which is unusual. Also Operation Crossbow, which has some very traumatic and tense scenes, and superb pyrotechnics. Also it's a real stretch including Gladiator as a war movie (for the first 25 minutes), which after all were closely based on the first 60 minutes of Fall of the Roman Empire, which in some respects was a superior film. I also agree with the feeling Apocolypse Now is just absurdly overrated, it's legendary status based on much that should be irrelevant to the actual film. Top 40 certainly, but 2, no way! Finally I have no objection to Saving Private Ryan winning the vote, after all it was so realistic I felt nauseous in the cinema and had to walk out briefly to calm down, and I say that as a tribute to it's achievement!
<allenjb42>
Posted
Some others that should have been in:
The Wild Geese Attack Force Z (Australian special forces against the Japanese - Mel Gibson, Sam Neil) The Beast Of War (Russians in Afghanistan) Aces High
Originally posted by Anthony Martin: Saving Private Ryan - why was the waving of the Stars and Stripes ... "dubious" (see review)?
There are many possible reasons, here are just three:
Because the war wasn't about America. And, grateful though Europe is that America got involved, the late entry into the war isn't something to be proud about.
Because the film was about war, and about how people - individuals - cope with war. It wasn't anything to do with flag waving for any particular country.
Because chauvinistic flag waving at the end of a war film could be seen to glamourise and glorify war.
"The Train" was much better than "Von Ryan's Express"!
The results seem a bit inconsistent with the "user rating" in the listings. eg, Blackhawk Down - 9th : user rating of 3.97 from 133 votes Braveheart - 15th : user rating 5.89 from 160 votes All Quiet on the Western Front - 33rd : user rating 9.58 from 31 votes Cruel Sea - 41st : user rating 9.92 from 39 votes.
Presumably the "user ratings" are from people who actually watched the films?
It would have been good to see more proper war films being included. Where were films like Tobruk, Sink The Bismark, or Malta GC. Where was Waterloo? These were far better films than most of those included on the list, because they were factual, and because they were directly about war.
I would argue that The Deer Hunter, Casablanca, and The English Patient to name but three, were stories about human relationships, with war as nothing more than the background to these stories.
Some of the films included on the list were ridiculous. Where was "Battle of the Bulge" with Robert Shaw and "The Best Years of Our Lives". But perhaps most surprising was overlooking that great Gregory Peck film "Twelve O'Clock High". Talk about classics!! These were films for the ages which certainly should have been on the list.
There were some good films covered and some right crap........But what happened to the likes of "Tobruk" and "Play Dirty". Also Dirk Bogards classics like "Ill met by moonlight" and "They who dare". Any thoughts chaps?
I havnt heard anybody mention "Battleground", surely this was top five stuff, filmed four years after the war, all extras played by the men who actually fought at the Bulge. Nothing more accurate then this gem. Not suprised to see 95% of the films were of the English language, great to see those that wernt, so, what about the Czech classic "Tmavomodry Svet" (Dark blue world) a must see, brings it home that it wasnt just the GI's and Tommys that won the war.
Originally posted by Anthony Martin: Saving Private Ryan - why was the waving of the Stars and Stripes ... "dubious" (see review)?
There are many possible reasons, here are just three:
Because the war wasn't about America. And, grateful though Europe is that America got involved, the late entry into the war isn't something to be proud about.
Because the film was about war, and about how people - individuals - cope with war. It wasn't anything to do with flag waving for any particular country.
Because chauvinistic flag waving at the end of a war film could be seen to glamourise and glorify war.
I dont see anything in SPR glamourising war, I've met many veterans, British and American, who whole heartedly agreed that this film was on the button. If youve been to the cemetary on Omaha beach then youll see why Spielberg waved his flag. Better late than never, we are no better, think how the Czechs felt when we signed thier country over to Adolf for them.
Anyhow, I dont know how SPR got the number one spot, top 5 yes, #1 no. Apocolpse now shouldnt have even been in the top 100.
I also think the following deserved a place: Attack A Bridge too Far Waterloo Hell is for Heroes Pork Chop Hill The Blue Max Aces High Run Silent, Run Deep Wolfpack The Enemy Below Crimson Tide
The Title of this show is “The 100 Greatest War Films”. But would have been better entitled “ 99 anti-war films with a token John Wayne film thrown in to sell it to the yank’s in syndication. I ask you “ The English Patent” a war film in the loosest of terms? I noted with interest that all the talking heads where film critics, known pacifists, lovies and spurious academics. Tony Benn drawing comparisons to Iraq was especially nauseating.
