Warbird Information Exchange

We have had many discussions about our favorite movies & television series, but some older movies or series that were popular on their first release, don't ring as true as time goes by.

For example, IMHO, when viewed today; "12 O'Clock High" stands up better than "Command Decision", even though parts of "12" seem a bit more melodramatic today than they must have back when originally released.

Parts of "The Best Years of Their Lives" may be timeless, as certain parts of "They Were Expendable". For my money, both show a certain slice of time as it probably was (I was not around then...I'm older, but not that old).

I think of the more recent movies or television series, "Band of Brothers" will remain an accurate insight into parts of the European Campaign of WWII for many years to come, but am not so sure about "Saving Private Ryan" (the main criticism I have heard from veteran's is that Tom Hanks is "too old" to have been a Captain at that point in the war).

I will not put the recent "Pearl Harbor" up for consideration for this list - YUCK! and shame on "them" for spending so much money getting so many things so wrong and STILL making a terrible movie.

So, my question is not what is a great movie or best movie, but what war movie or television series will be looked at and still be "entertaining/informative/compelling" in the future?

Although not warbird related I'd have to say one of my all-time favorites is "Platoon" which one best film at the Academy Awards in 1985. A close second is the lesser known movie called "The Beast" which came out in 1988. I just recently found a copy of this on DVD (been looking for years). It's about a soviet tank crew in Afghanistan that becomes lost and is chased by a group of Mujahadine fighters. Lots of action and awesome tank battle scenes!

John

I was always pretty moved by 'A Bridge Too Far'

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"Anyway, the throat feels a bit rough...the legs have gone...but I'm still able to chant, so let's get going."

Joe Strummer, 1999

Stalingrad and Cross of Iron with James Coburn.

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Don't touch my junk!!

Tora, Tora, Tora and Air Force.

Best T.V. Band of Brothers - I know, it was a mini series and not a show, but it was just darn good! Second - Combat!

Worst T.V. Baa Baa Black Sheep - OK, send the hate mail to :Same plane getting shot down @ Disco Haircuts and Bad Acting, Airbase in the Dessert, Vela La Bella CA OU812 . But I still love this goofy show! Second-Can't really think of another bad T.V. Maybe "After M.A.S.H"

Nam War Movie Best: Full Metal Jacket - Well, they call me the Joker! Second-Platoon

Nam War Movie Worst: 84 Charlie Mopic - Probably the inspiration for the Blair Witch Project. Second- Hamburger Hill

WWll Best: Saving Private Ryan - I know, cliche, but its good. Second-Patton

WWll Worst: Pearl Harbor- I guy named Rafe in the RAF? Second: Memphis Belle

Please keep in mind that most of these where actually chosen for storyline and acting. And my personal choices, yours may differ!

Pearl Harbor was never supposed to be a war movie, but a romance flick:


Plot Outline:
Pearl Harbor follows the story of two best friends, Rafe and Danny, and their love lives as they go off to join the war.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0213149/

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If God had wanted man to fly behind a flat motor, Pratt Whitney would've built one.

"Pearl Harbor was never supposed to be a war movie, but a romance flick"

Yeah, a love triangle with a pesky little war in the way!

Amazing how these two guys end up in everything! I bet if Ol'Hartnet would have lived they would have flown the Enola Gay together!

I know what you mean Skymstr02, but it was just silly, even as a love flick.

Just curious, but how do you feel about "We Were Soldiers"? Yes, I know there are some errors with it as well, but to me it seems like the "Saving Private Ryan" of Vietnam.

Battle of Britian.

Nuff said.

I have had some involvement with a pre-production of a movie that will be the "Saving Private Ryan" of WWII aviation. This will be big!

Full Metal Jacket
Saving Private Ryan
Band of Brothers
In Harms Way
The Longest Day
Platoon
Das Boot
Battle of Britain
Dambusters
30 Seconds over Tokyo
Bridges of Toko Ri
We Were Soldiers
Patton
Battle of the Bulge
The Story of G.I. Joe
DIrty Dozen
The Great Escape
Merrill's Marauders (just because my aunt was a nurse in Burma and took care of many of his men)


and for just "plane" fun....Catch 22

Just curious, but how do you feel about "We Were Soldiers"? Yes, I know there are some errors with it as well, but to me it seems like the "Saving Private Ryan" of Vietnam.


Well, actually, I feel Platoon was more on the Saving Prvt. Ryan vain than We Where Soldiers, don't get me wrong, I really liked WWS, its a part of my War collection, I just felt that the production value was not up to par with SPR or Platoon. In Platoon you dealt with the soldiers while in WWS you also had to deal with the wives. The love interest, wives, girlfriends and buddy that is going to die in the end always kill a good movie for me.

Just my demented views!

It is totally amazing how the weeks and weeks of "REAL" airplane filming on Pearl Harbor were condensed down to about 12 seconds of screen time. Not only real airplanes but some of the rarest examples on earth were brought into the production all to be replaced by CGI crap. And you can fool only the dumbest second grader with those things with their Bat Turns and Starwars flying.

You've peeked my interest...any hints?

John