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THE WORST WAR FILMS - 7/1/2004 5:39:04 AM

TexasLt

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OKay, and now the worst or most historically inaccurate war films? Mine would be:

The Enemy Below
Midway
Windtalkers

Post #: 1

RE: THE WORST WAR FILMS - 7/1/2004 5:41:56 AM

gunnergoz

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Battle of the Bulge. Yuk. M-47's vs M-24's. Doubleyuk.
The Thin Red Line (recent version). WW2 in the neurotic ward.

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RE: THE WORST WAR FILMS - 7/1/2004 5:44:37 AM

cpt_Venomous

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enemy at the gates and iron cross were a joke, both were a crude cliche flops

< Message edited by cpt_Venomous -- 7/1/2004 3:49:24 AM >

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"Competence on the battlefield is a myth. The side which screws up next to last wins, it's as simple as that.'
- Lord General Zyvan

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Post #: 3

RE: THE WORST WAR FILMS - 7/1/2004 5:46:33 AM

jnier

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quote:

ORIGINAL: gunnergoz

Battle of the Bulge. Yuk. M-47's vs M-24's. Doubleyuk.
The Thin Red Line (recent version). WW2 in the neurotic ward.

IMHO Thin Red Line belongs in BEST war movie thread - not worst.

(in reply to gunnergoz)

Post #: 4

RE: THE WORST WAR FILMS - 7/1/2004 6:00:23 AM

Fallschirmjager

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Thin Red line takes alot of flak. Its not your typical war movie. But I liked it alot. The camara work, colors and visuals were amazing throughout the whole movie.

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RE: THE WORST WAR FILMS - 7/1/2004 6:03:31 AM

brisd

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I thought Enemy at the Gates had its problems but it captured the thrill of sniper warfare, the desperation of the Russians. Definitely not a worst film on my list. Battle of the Bulge is a guilty pleasure, again it captured the feel of the battle and overall situation well. Now where were they going to find German Panzers when they made that movie?

Two of the worst IMHO were Gods and Generals (I walked out it was so one-sided and poorly written) and the recent Pearl Harbor. The producers went through all that expense to create a digital version of battleship row and then they ruined it by showing modern US Navy vessels under attack.

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RE: THE WORST WAR FILMS - 7/1/2004 6:05:51 AM

Mike Scholl

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Fallschirmjager

Thin Red line takes alot of flak. Its not your typical war movie. But I liked it alot. The camara work, colors and visuals were amazing throughout the whole movie.

BARRY LINDEN had some amazingly good "combat footage" and was filmed beautifully.
But the movie still sucked. As does THIN RED LINE.

(in reply to Fallschirmjager)

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RE: THE WORST WAR FILMS - 7/1/2004 6:08:39 AM

gunnergoz

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I enjoyed Enemy at the Gates, possibly because my wife is a native Ukrainian and she and her Mom also thought it was pretty good (and her Mom was around back then, though not in Stalingrad.)

As to Battle of the Bulge and phony panzers, I guess the same could be said for Pearl Harbor...the excuse is, "they used what was available."

The only problem with that is that we've all seen Hollywood epics that were shamed by foreign films that had a quarter of the budget. I'd rather they spend money on a few simulated tin-clad panzers (like SPR) than treating us to scads of repainted Bundeswher tanks. As it was, BOB spent most of it's money on cast salaries IIRC.

_____________________________

"Things are getting better!
...Well, maybe not as good as they were yesterday, but much better than they will be tomorrow!"
-Old Russian saying

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RE: THE WORST WAR FILMS - 7/1/2004 6:08:45 AM

Jorm

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Yes
the second pearl harbour was a dud, nice graphics but a truly awful film

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RE: THE WORST WAR FILMS - 7/1/2004 6:12:38 AM

cpt_Venomous

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as far as enemy at the gates go rus vets laughed once they saw it most felt it was a joke and lot thought it was an usult.

< Message edited by cpt_Venomous -- 7/1/2004 4:14:45 AM >

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"Competence on the battlefield is a myth. The side which screws up next to last wins, it's as simple as that.'
- Lord General Zyvan

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Post #: 10

RE: THE WORST WAR FILMS - 7/1/2004 6:15:52 AM

yamaslob

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I would have to second that B of the bulge was the all time worst. The tank thingy was bad but did everyone who got shot have to throw their arms up in the air? sigh. And were was all the snow? Worst winter in 50 years and just a dusting in the movie. Terrible!

yamaslob

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Post #: 11

RE: THE WORST WAR FILMS - 7/1/2004 6:25:12 AM

gunnergoz

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I LOVED the part in BOB where the US tankers have the entire upper turret and roof supposedly blown off their M-24 by a Tiger and they are driving around in this semi-convertible, all the while ranting on the radio...

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"Things are getting better!
...Well, maybe not as good as they were yesterday, but much better than they will be tomorrow!"
-Old Russian saying

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Post #: 12

RE: THE WORST WAR FILMS - 7/1/2004 6:46:25 AM

Copper

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I'd have to say worst movie is Stalingrad, completely one sided in the opinion of the Russians, even though the director is German, and the story is German.

Best movie goes to Bridge over the river Kwai or Dr. Strangelove.

(in reply to gunnergoz)

Post #: 13

RE: THE WORST WAR FILMS - 7/1/2004 6:52:04 AM

rlc27

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IMHO Thin Red Line was a close to a masterpiece. Not as a conventional war flick, but as a psychological tour de force. Didn't like how they only had 1 transport available though. My main problem was that it was overly interpretive from the book; all that Buddhist stuff was added in, while the book plays it pretty straight. And it's a lot funnier.

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RE: THE WORST WAR FILMS - 7/1/2004 6:54:34 AM

GameTester

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Gods and Generals - talk about dull and boring... is the Battle of Fredericksburg over yet?

Windtalkers - not believable at all...

Pearl Harbor - Ben Affleck, need more be said...

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RE: THE WORST WAR FILMS - 7/1/2004 7:08:05 AM

rlc27

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Two of my favorite "underdog" war movies, both of which I think might have been made for HBO, are

"When Trumpets Fade." About the battle of Huertgen forest. Has that guy that played the state trooper in house of sand and fog (semi-chick flick but has Jennifer Connely

) Very authentic equipment. On both the soldiers and Ms. Connely.

"A Midnight Clear." A "Lite" war movie, more like a parable, but I loved the BOB atmosphere. Gary Sinise is always good in a military role. Evoked the Christmas truces of WWI and is a really good "Christmas War Movie."

< Message edited by rlc27 -- 7/1/2004 12:09:12 AM >

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"They couldn't hit an elephant from this dist--"

--John Sedgwick, failing to reduce suppression during the Battle of the Wilderness, U.S. Civil War.

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Post #: 16

RE: THE WORST WAR FILMS - 7/1/2004 7:13:55 AM

gunnergoz

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And don't forget that recent yuppie flick about the Huertgen Forest...I forget the name. I just recall all the characters walking around with their wool "jeep" caps on backwards...so "cool" y'know? Actually, I've seen thousands of WW2 photos and never once saw one of those worn backwards. I had one, a long time ago, recall wearing it some, and it just wasn't comfy worn backwards. I'll bet that movie set was full of cast and crew wearing their ballcaps backwards, as well...

_____________________________

"Things are getting better!
...Well, maybe not as good as they were yesterday, but much better than they will be tomorrow!"
-Old Russian saying

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Post #: 17

RE: THE WORST WAR FILMS - 7/1/2004 8:37:35 AM

afspret

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Pearl Harbor
Midway
Battle of the Bulge

I have yet to see God and Generals, but if I ever do, it will have to be pretty bad, in my opinion, to replace any of the above.

(in reply to gunnergoz)

Post #: 18

RE: THE WORST WAR FILMS - 7/1/2004 8:47:20 AM

ZOOMIE1980

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quote:

ORIGINAL: gunnergoz

I enjoyed Enemy at the Gates, possibly because my wife is a native Ukrainian and she and her Mom also thought it was pretty good (and her Mom was around back then, though not in Stalingrad.)

As to Battle of the Bulge and phony panzers, I guess the same could be said for Pearl Harbor...the excuse is, "they used what was available."

The only problem with that is that we've all seen Hollywood epics that were shamed by foreign films that had a quarter of the budget. I'd rather they spend money on a few simulated tin-clad panzers (like SPR) than treating us to scads of repainted Bundeswher tanks. As it was, BOB spent most of it's money on cast salaries IIRC.

The Eastern Front is a very under produced theater in Hollowood. There is so much good material from that part of the War that has not had Hollywood resources tossed at it. Enemy at the Gates did a good job of capturing just how desperate the Soviets were in 1942. The TV series, World At War, captured some of that early Russian hopelessness when they touched on the situation in Lenningrad in early 1942. The 1970's move Iron Cross with James Coburn covered that theater as well.

But this is an area of WWII that still has some great undone stories for Hollywood to cover. Kursk, siege of Lenningrad, Hitler retaking Karkhov, the near collapse of the Soviet government in Moscow in Nov of 1941....lots of good stuff.

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RE: THE WORST WAR FILMS - 7/1/2004 9:18:13 AM

cpt_Venomous

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quote:

ORIGINAL: ZOOMIE1980

quote:

ORIGINAL: gunnergoz

I enjoyed Enemy at the Gates, possibly because my wife is a native Ukrainian and she and her Mom also thought it was pretty good (and her Mom was around back then, though not in Stalingrad.)

As to Battle of the Bulge and phony panzers, I guess the same could be said for Pearl Harbor...the excuse is, "they used what was available."

The only problem with that is that we've all seen Hollywood epics that were shamed by foreign films that had a quarter of the budget. I'd rather they spend money on a few simulated tin-clad panzers (like SPR) than treating us to scads of repainted Bundeswher tanks. As it was, BOB spent most of it's money on cast salaries IIRC.

The Eastern Front is a very under produced theater in Hollowood. There is so much good material from that part of the War that has not had Hollywood resources tossed at it. Enemy at the Gates did a good job of capturing just how desperate the Soviets were in 1942. The TV series, World At War, captured some of that early Russian hopelessness when they touched on the situation in Lenningrad in early 1942. The 1970's move Iron Cross with James Coburn covered that theater as well.

But this is an area of WWII that still has some great undone stories for Hollywood to cover. Kursk, siege of Lenningrad, Hitler retaking Karkhov, the near collapse of the Soviet government in Moscow in Nov of 1941....lots of good stuff.

If germans captured Moscow that wouldnt give em an automatic victory, soviet government wasnt near collapse at all, all the movies made by Hollywodd about Russian front or even Russia and russians are extremely thickly exaggerated, crude and cliche actually, best if they dont make them at all, things portrayed in those movies are as alien to me as they're to you (im native Great Russian)would help if one of those directors at least spent a year living in Russia before even atempting one of those films. Russia is different its neither west or east but its own unique culture and worldview.

< Message edited by cpt_Venomous -- 7/1/2004 10:28:37 AM >

_____________________________

"Competence on the battlefield is a myth. The side which screws up next to last wins, it's as simple as that.'
- Lord General Zyvan

(in reply to ZOOMIE1980)

Post #: 20

RE: THE WORST WAR FILMS - 7/1/2004 9:56:02 AM

cpt_Venomous

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Copper

I'd have to say worst movie is Stalingrad, completely one sided in the opinion of the Russians, even though the director is German, and the story is German.

Best movie goes to Bridge over the river Kwai or Dr. Strangelove.

yup too timid of the movie I'd say, but dont forget that non-German director could get away with easily, German director cant and on other hand is literally forced to be politicaly correct, if not he'll be mobbed both at home and abroad. Just like Leni Riefenstahl, talented director who was chased from the moviemaking after war's end.

_____________________________

"Competence on the battlefield is a myth. The side which screws up next to last wins, it's as simple as that.'
- Lord General Zyvan

(in reply to Copper)

Post #: 21

RE: THE WORST WAR FILMS - 7/1/2004 10:34:59 AM

drw61

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Definitely Gods and Generals. I was going to walk out but my wife said it had to get better, I slept through the rest of the movie! On the other hand I really enjoyed Gettysburg the first in the series.

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RE: THE WORST WAR FILMS - 7/1/2004 11:16:14 AM

52nd Lowland

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Fallschirmjager

Thin Red line takes alot of flak. Its not your typical war movie. But I liked it alot. The camara work, colors and visuals were amazing throughout the whole movie.

I guess everyone has there opinion but i thought the Thin Red Line was an excellent movie from all aspects.

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RE: THE WORST WAR FILMS - 7/1/2004 11:58:51 AM

Delphinium

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Try if possible to get to see

Inchon - Laurence Oliver as McArthur

The shame is it will NEVER get to DVD/VHS release. It should be released as a lesson on how to make a bad film.

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RE: THE WORST WAR FILMS - 7/1/2004 12:25:23 PM

Didz

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Here are the three worst films I have seen/heard of:

Patriot
U571
Pearl Harbour

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Didz
Fortis balore et armis

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RE: THE WORST WAR FILMS - 7/1/2004 12:27:36 PM

cpt_Venomous

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We were soldiers

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"Competence on the battlefield is a myth. The side which screws up next to last wins, it's as simple as that.'
- Lord General Zyvan

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Post #: 26

RE: THE WORST WAR FILMS - 7/1/2004 12:27:44 PM

freeboy

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which patriot? the recent movie with Mel was richly received here in the states.. wonderful music, tight action and transitions to next scene.. likable main charactor.

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RE: THE WORST WAR FILMS - 7/1/2004 3:26:07 PM

Delphinium

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Braveheart - poor war film, fine fantasy action film.

Just waiting for a film covering Flodden & many of the other great Scottish military triumphs

< Message edited by Delphinium -- 7/1/2004 2:12:00 PM >

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RE: THE WORST WAR FILMS - 7/1/2004 4:03:59 PM

nico71

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Worst ever: U-571 and Pearl Harbor!

Re Enemy at the Gates, my expectations were very low considering that it was just another Hollyweird movie. But by their low standards the movie was surprisingly good. Even though it was 95% fantasy.

Here's some info about the historical background (or the lack of it):

http://216.198.255.120/russianpart/russnipers.html

(in reply to TexasLt)

Post #: 29

RE: THE WORST WAR FILMS - 7/1/2004 4:20:51 PM

CaptBeefheart