RIP Brian Hutton

[anonymous-user]

unrepentant said:

Casablanca

Schindlers List

The Dam Busters

The Way To The Stars

Ice Cold In Alex

A good list!

Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 25th August 13:15

[tenpenceshort]

I know Terence Malick can be a bit wishy washy in the presentation, but for WWII films I really like The Thin Red Line. It puts some thought in, which can be a pleasant change from the norm.

[Eric Mc]

Halmyre said:

I think 'Where Eagles Dare' does have its tongue wedged firmly in cheek. It's a lot less earnest than the same author's 'The Guns of Navarone'. And MacLean, if not exactly a combat veteran, did serve on the Arctic convoys so probably had some idea of the horrors of war - as he recounted in 'HMS Ulysses'.

Not enough "tongue" for my liking.

Maybe Maclean should have written a story based on his experiences - or perhaps he was creating a sort of escapism for himself.

[mp3manager]

Eric Mc said:

Best part of the film. Once the titles are out of the way, it takes a nose dive.

This is the best part.....
Broadsword calling danny boy
Broadsword calling danny boy

http://youtu.be/CdaeBiF__u4?t=19s

[Beati Dogu]

I always wanted a funkraum.

[TEKNOPUG]

WED is no more a "war" film than Inglorious bds or Kelly's Heroes. It's an action/adventure film. To be a "war" film, I think it either needs to depict an actual event or have something to say about "war" itself. I'd therefore suggest that neither the "Dirty Dozen", "The Guns Navarone" or "Escape to Athena" aren't really "war" films either, regardless of their supposed settings/premise.

That's not to say that they aren't enjoyable action films

[TEKNOPUG]

I went to a funeral recently that played "Mike Curb Congregation - Burning Bridges"

[Halmyre]

Eric Mc said:

Halmyre said:

I think 'Where Eagles Dare' does have its tongue wedged firmly in cheek. It's a lot less earnest than the same author's 'The Guns of Navarone'. And MacLean, if not exactly a combat veteran, did serve on the Arctic convoys so probably had some idea of the horrors of war - as he recounted in 'HMS Ulysses'.

Not enough "tongue" for my liking.

Maybe Maclean should have written a story based on his experiences - or perhaps he was creating a sort of escapism for himself.

He actually created it for Richard Burton. Burton was a neighbour (and drinking partner) and asked MacLean to write an action movie script. MacLean then adapted into a novel, with a considerably more talkative Schaffer and a pair of heroes who went out of their way NOT to kill Ze Germans. I think the only people they kill are the traitors. And Heidi's real name is Ethel.

[Justayellowbadge]

tenpenceshort said:

I know Terence Malick can be a bit wishy washy in the presentation, but for WWII films I really like The Thin Red Line. It puts some thought in, which can be a pleasant change from the norm.

Have to agree. It's not simply a great war film, it is a great film full stop.

[Tango13]

When Peter Jackson pitched his idea for the remake of the Dam Busters to the studio executives did he borrow scenes from Star Wars to depict the Lancasters flying over the dams?

[anonymous-user]

You will recall that Lucas used the (not very good) WW2 film 633 Squadron as the inspiration for the attack on the first Death Star.

[RogueTrooper]

Dunkirk was one of my favourites, when I was a kid.

[Eric Mc]

Anybody watch Al Murray's programme tonight on BBC4?

He and Dan Snow were not too complimentary about "Where Eagle's Dare" -and both voted "A Bridge Too Far" as their favourite British war film ever.

Both men of exemplary taste and intelligence - obviously

[hidetheelephants]

Breadvan72 said:

PS:

Hon mentions for

- The Wooden Horse, which has amazing German Expressionist style camerawork by Laurie Lee's brother.

- Carve Her Name With Pride, an unbearably moving and true SOE story.

- In Which We Serve, which was really directed by the great David Lean despite the credit going to Noel Coward (who deserves credit for screenplay and lead role). Valuable as a portrayal of a vanished class system, too.

No Cross of Iron? Sam Peckinpah needs love too.

TEKNOPUG said:

I went to a funeral recently that played "Mike Curb Congregation - Burning Bridges"

I think I'll have to copy that, it would have to be a cremation though.

[The Hypno-Toad]

Eric Mc said:

Anybody watch Al Murray's programme tonight on BBC4?

He and Dan Snow were not too complimentary about "Where Eagle's Dare" -and both voted "A Bridge Too Far" as their favourite British war film ever.

Both men of exemplary taste and intelligence - obviously

Very good programme that I only discovered by accident. Very timely given the death of Mr Hutton, was it a repeat that they re-scheduled?

Geoff Love's Big War Movie Themes..... memories...

I have a feeling that if I ever met Mr Murray we would find we had a lot in common. Seems like a top fella and his name on a documentary is always the sign of a good programme.

[Eric Mc]

I'm pretty sure it was a repeat. I have read his book "Watching War Films With my Dad" - which is good fun.

[Smiler.]

Eric Mc said:

Anybody watch Al Murray's programme tonight on BBC4?

He and Dan Snow were not too complimentary about "Where Eagle's Dare" -and both voted "A Bridge Too Far" as their favourite British war film ever.

Both men of exemplary taste and intelligence - obviously

Yeah, was surprised about the alleged comment by Richard Todd about Dirk Bogarde being "non-military".

Or was this related to the controversy over his assertion to have been part of the liberating force of Belsen?


Anyhoo, no mention of The Colditz story, the Password is Courage & the Wooden Horse.


Here's a fun fact about the last one: a regular member of the Carry-On cast (Peter Butterworth) was actually at the camp at the time of the escape but was turned down for a part in the film.





Also, anyone know where that theatre is?

[Halmyre]

The Hypno-Toad said:

Eric Mc said:

Anybody watch Al Murray's programme tonight on BBC4?

He and Dan Snow were not too complimentary about "Where Eagle's Dare" -and both voted "A Bridge Too Far" as their favourite British war film ever.

Both men of exemplary taste and intelligence - obviously

Very good programme that I only discovered by accident. Very timely given the death of Mr Hutton, was it a repeat that they re-scheduled?

Geoff Love's Big War Movie Themes..... memories...

I have a feeling that if I ever met Mr Murray we would find we had a lot in common. Seems like a top fella and his name on a documentary is always the sign of a good programme.

Only caught the end of this, would like to have seen it all. I laughed when Al produced the copy of "Great War Movie Themes" - I think I still have mine! Need to have a rummage...

And, sorry Al, but 'Where Eagles Dare' is the best war movie theme.

[rasto]

Eric Mc said:

I'm pretty sure it was a repeat. I have read his book "Watching War Films With my Dad" - which is good fun.

I'm halfway through that at the moment, I'm the same age as Al and it appears we had a very similar childhood. Love the stuff about Action Man and Airfix

I do however enjoy Where Eagles Dare, I know it's not in anyway historically accurate but accept it as a piece of fiction. Same goes for The Eagle Has Landed and most of the other 'war' movies made in that period. 633 Squadron used to be one of my favourites (love the theme tune) but I watched it the other day and couldn't believe how cheesy it was - didn't realise that it was used as the inspiration for the Death Star attack but the similarities were very obvious.

I still think of those old films as 'Saturday Afternoon' films as they would invariably have been shown at that time on BBC 2 back in the day

[Eric Mc]

I never grew out of Airfix.