RIP Brian Hutton

[Halmyre]

If you have to ask who Brian Hutton is, hand in your man-badge at the front desk!

http://variety.com/2014/film/news/brian-g-hutton-d...

[Halmyre]

Eric Mc said:

I quite like "Kelly's Heroes". Maybe its "tongue in cheek" approach suits the genre better than the "faux earnestness" of "Where Eagle's Dare".

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'.

[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.

[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.

[Halmyre]

Ayahuasca said:

633 squadron has the best theme tune and Mosquitos!

But my favourite war film: The Wild Geese. Richard Burton, Roger Moore, Richard Harris, Stewart Granger, Harvey Kruger, Ronald Fraser, a kickass theme by Joan Armatrading. Plenty of 70s weapons - SLR and GPMG action. And man tears are allowed at the scene where Richard Harris ties to board the Dakota.

Kill count clip here
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yvTgiEJrP28

The Wild Geese is rather good apart from the horrendous, fingernails-down-the-blackboard, sand-in-the-vaseline element that is Rafer Janders' (Richard Harris) son...

[Halmyre]

Breadvan72 said:

633 Squadron suffers from daft casting - Greek dude plays Norwegian hero. Surely the Wild Geese is just another far fetched shoot 'em up thriller in the WED mode, not really a war movie.

I never understood that either. Particularly since the actress playing his sister is an archetypal Scandinavian blonde (she's actually Austrian, by the way) who looks nothing like him.