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RE: *** World War II Documentaries ***

 
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RE: *** World War II Documentaries *** - 7/2/2007 2:19:18 AM   
Warfare1


Posts: 658
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quote:

ORIGINAL: KG Erwin

quote:

ORIGINAL: Warfare1

..It's an eternal quest... does it ever end?




No it doesn't. Once the passion grabs hold of you, your thirst for more never seems to be satisfied. That's the curse of a researcher.

There's more -- once you can start pointing out factual errors in a given documentary or book, you know you're hooked.



Funny thing is that I have loved history even when I was a young sprite. I devoured books from my school library. Before the advent of computer games and CGI movies I was reading about Napoleon, Caesar, The Civil War, etc for days on end....

Then I found wargames. The thought that I could now game battles that I had always read about, was a dream come true.

I remember picking up the board game "Rise and Fall of the Third Reich". I skipped school and spent the whole day in the local library reading the rule book. My imagination was on fire...

Then came computer wargames. I was in heaven.

Funny thing is that I thought I was relatively alone in this little hobby of mine. No one else I knew cared to talk about history, let alone thought about playing wargames.

Then came the internet. And my discovery that there are all these lovers of history and wargames the world over. Truly a "Unified Field Theory" of history and wargame enthusiasts.

Frankly, I could talk about history and wargames all day. I never tire of it.





< Message edited by Warfare1 -- 7/2/2007 2:21:24 AM >

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Post #: 31
RE: *** World War II Documentaries *** - 7/2/2007 2:20:10 AM   
Adam Parker


Posts: 1848
Joined: 4/2/2002
From: Melbourne Australia
Status: offline 		PS: Re the Pacific, don't get "Victory at Sea". It's a 6 disc set covering the Atlantic too but it was great for the 1950's and a perfect example of filling time by showing the same video over and over. And over

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Post #: 32
RE: *** World War II Documentaries *** - 7/2/2007 2:29:44 AM   
Warfare1


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quote:

ORIGINAL: Adam Parker

PS: Re the Pacific, don't get "Victory at Sea". It's a 6 disc set covering the Atlantic too but it was great for the 1950's and a perfect example of filling time by showing the same video over and over. And over


I had heard a lot of good things about "Victory at Sea".

Then a PBS station started playing a few episodes. I thought "great" I'll tape the sucker.

I started to watch the first episode, and I thought "huh?" I kept watching. It didn't grab me at all. It seemed very dull.

I stopped taping it and never watched it again.

Maybe I'm missing something others see in it?

I know tastes can differ, and I can be very forgiving when it comes to history, but even my patience wore thin with this one....

(in reply to Adam Parker)
Post #: 33
RE: *** World War II Documentaries *** - 7/2/2007 2:41:08 AM   
KG Erwin


Posts: 8981
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From: Cross Lanes WV USA
Status: offline 		The best thing about "Victory At Sea" is the stirring music. Other than that, it's pretty dated.

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Post #: 34
RE: *** World War II Documentaries *** - 7/2/2007 2:53:55 AM   
Skeleton


Posts: 560
Joined: 3/14/2006
Status: offline 		Mr. Parker is dead on in everything he stated about "A World At War" I picked the boxed set up about a year and a half ago and could watch it every night (which the wife would never allow) and never tire of it. Among the best ever made. Fascinating seeing some of the actual participants among the interviews. I did not find it biased in the slightest.

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Post #: 35
RE: *** World War II Documentaries *** - 7/2/2007 2:55:51 AM   
KG Erwin


Posts: 8981
Joined: 7/25/2000
From: Cross Lanes WV USA
Status: offline 		Now, as for a decent overview, I can recommend "The Battle History of the US Marines", another History Channel documentary. If you want a good background on how the USMC evolved, this is the one to see. Lots of commentary by USMC vet and premier historian Col Joseph H. Alexander and many others.

As a general commentary, the United States Marine Corps has been outstanding in offering quality material about themselves, and for good reason. Since its inception, the USMC has had to repeatedly fight to maintain its existence, so the PR campaign is understandable.

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Post #: 36
RE: *** World War II Documentaries *** - 7/2/2007 3:18:02 AM   
General Quarters

 

Posts: 1059
Joined: 12/3/2006
Status: offline 		My prediction about the Ken Burns film is that he will focus a lot on the "social context": the home front, changing role of women, war propaganda, mobilization of masses behind the war effort in various countries, refuges, etc., etc.

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Post #: 37
RE: *** World War II Documentaries *** - 7/2/2007 3:35:38 AM   
KG Erwin


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From: Cross Lanes WV USA
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quote:

ORIGINAL: General Quarters

My prediction about the Ken Burns film is that he will focus a lot on the "social context": the home front, changing role of women, war propaganda, mobilization of masses behind the war effort in various countries, refuges, etc., etc.


Seems appropriate, as the vast majority of the world's population were trying to live their everyday lives as opposed to the small percentage facing each other on the battlefields.

_____________________________


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Post #: 38
RE: *** World War II Documentaries *** - 7/2/2007 4:36:42 AM   
Warfare1


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quote:

ORIGINAL: Marcus the leper

Mr. Parker is dead on in everything he stated about "A World At War" I picked the boxed set up about a year and a half ago and could watch it every night (which the wife would never allow) and never tire of it. Among the best ever made. Fascinating seeing some of the actual participants among the interviews. I did not find it biased in the slightest.


I think I'm "sold" on this one.

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Post #: 39
RE: *** World War II Documentaries *** - 7/2/2007 5:12:43 AM   
Warfare1


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quote:

ORIGINAL: KG Erwin

Now, as for a decent overview, I can recommend "The Battle History of the US Marines", another History Channel documentary. If you want a good background on how the USMC evolved, this is the one to see. Lots of commentary by USMC vet and premier historian Col Joseph H. Alexander and many others.

As a general commentary, the United States Marine Corps has been outstanding in offering quality material about themselves, and for good reason. Since its inception, the USMC has had to repeatedly fight to maintain its existence, so the PR campaign is understandable.


Sounds like something right up my alley.

Although, I can't seem to find it available anywhere, and there's almost no info about it.

(in reply to KG Erwin)
Post #: 40
RE: *** World War II Documentaries *** - 7/2/2007 6:00:56 AM   
ilovestrategy


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Joined: 6/11/2005
From: San Diego
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quote:

ORIGINAL: KG Erwin

quote:

ORIGINAL: Warfare1

..It's an eternal quest... does it ever end?




No it doesn't. Once the passion grabs hold of you, your thirst for more never seems to be satisfied. That's the curse of a researcher.

There's more -- once you can start pointing out factual errors in a given documentary or book, you know you're hooked.



Oh good gravy, I'm doing that more and more now! Drives my wife insane when I'm watching the History Channel and sit up and say "No Way!"

_____________________________

After 16 years, Civ II still has me in it's clutches LOL!!!
Now CIV IV has me in it's evil clutches!

(in reply to KG Erwin)
Post #: 41
RE: *** World War II Documentaries *** - 7/3/2007 12:20:20 AM   
Warfare1


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Joined: 10/20/2004
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Adam Parker

quote:

ORIGINAL: Warfare1

I taped a bunch of documentaries onto VHS tapes over the years, and would love to get them on dvd, but alas they are either not available, or out of stock.

My fear is that the way history is being shoved onto the back burner by mainstream TV, many these may not be available at all.

Has anyone seen the documentary called "TANKS!"? It was a multi-episode doc about different German tanks in WWII. I thought it was quite well done.


I've got "Tanks" and it's definitely available on DVD as a 3 disc set.

The thing with specialised documentaries like the one on Russia is that very often they only run for 50 minutes and they show King Tigers storming in Barbarossa or Shermans at Dunkirk. I HATE that

I bought a combined DVD/Video player/recorder last year and it's a breeze to copy tape to disc with one button. A worthy investment if you need a second DVD machine and very cheap now too without hard drive.


Did you find any links for the Tanks dvd? I couldn't find any.

Very sound advice for getting a DVD/Video player/recorder. Picture may not be dvd quality (especially if it's taped from a TV), but at least having them (and on disc) is worth it.

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Post #: 42
RE: *** World War II Documentaries *** - 7/3/2007 12:26:34 AM   
Warfare1


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Joined: 10/20/2004
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quote:

ORIGINAL: ilovestrategy


quote:

ORIGINAL: KG Erwin

quote:

ORIGINAL: Warfare1

..It's an eternal quest... does it ever end?




No it doesn't. Once the passion grabs hold of you, your thirst for more never seems to be satisfied. That's the curse of a researcher.

There's more -- once you can start pointing out factual errors in a given documentary or book, you know you're hooked.



Oh good gravy, I'm doing that more and more now! Drives my wife insane when I'm watching the History Channel and sit up and say "No Way!"


Especially watching war movies you once thought were cool, only now to wince in embarrassment at some of the equipment that was passed off as being "German".

(in reply to ilovestrategy)
Post #: 43
RE: *** World War II Documentaries *** - 7/3/2007 12:33:33 AM   
Warfare1


Posts: 658
Joined: 10/20/2004
Status: offline 		Look at the list of these WWII Documentary DVDs that are available in the UK.

Pity they aren't available in North America

Link:
http://www.historyonthenet.com/shop/index.php?cPath=28_84

(in reply to Warfare1)
Post #: 44
RE: *** World War II Documentaries *** - 7/3/2007 12:47:23 AM   
Warfare1


Posts: 658
Joined: 10/20/2004
Status: offline 		Here is a link that describes in great detail the Battlefield Series of documentaries which many consider to be some of the very best ever produced.

Again, pity that few, if any, of these excellent dvds are available for sale here in North America. I would imagine they could vastly increase their sales if they were on sale here.

Link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battlefield_(documentary_series)

(in reply to Warfare1)
Post #: 45
RE: *** World War II Documentaries *** - 7/3/2007 4:22:17 AM   
Adam Parker


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Joined: 4/2/2002
From: Melbourne Australia
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Warfare1

Did you find any links for the Tanks dvd? I couldn't find any.


No actually - I just checked now everywhere and for some reason they're only available in the UK/Australia. I've got a 3 disc set covering all 12 episodes and it was expensive when I bought it.

It looks like some fool tried to put it on You Tube! But they pulled it

Check out the History Channel shop btw as I ended up there in my search - it looks like they have some very interesting specialist stuff, there might be some good docs on the Pacific.

(in reply to Warfare1)
Post #: 46
RE: *** World War II Documentaries *** - 7/3/2007 10:08:19 AM   
JudgeDredd


Posts: 8573
Joined: 11/14/2003
From: Scotland
Status: offline 		The World at War series...I see people saying it didn't dedicate enough time to the Eastern Front.....it covered just about everything. That was the point of it. The World at War. From what I can recall, all theatres got very little coverage due to the fact that the series wanted to document the surrounding issues and what would be regarded by most people as "minor" conflicts.

I personally wouldn't fault the series. I think it does a fantastic job of relaying the...erm...World at War...to the layman.


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Alba gu' brath

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Post #: 47
RE: *** World War II Documentaries *** - 7/3/2007 3:40:01 PM   
Tank Commander_MatrixForum


Posts: 93
Joined: 7/6/2006
From: Forest Of Dean, Gloucester UK
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: KG Erwin


quote:

ORIGINAL: Neilster



... Given that the vast majority of American-made WW2 documentaries are outrageously ethnocentric...



Here we go with the inevitable American bashing. Thanks, Neilster, you'll undoubtedly succeed in getting this thread locked soon.

BTW, you're welcome for we Yanks keeping the rump of the British Empire alive during the WWII years.




Erwin - I think you'll find that its your over sensitivity that has just spoilt this thread

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3 write-offs but still a Tank Commander

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Post #: 48
RE: *** World War II Documentaries *** - 7/3/2007 3:43:51 PM   
JudgeDredd


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Joined: 11/14/2003
From: Scotland
Status: offline 		Tank Commander

He has already acknowledged that and apologised...the thread has moved on somewhat


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Alba gu' brath
Post #: 49
RE: *** World War II Documentaries *** - 7/3/2007 3:53:55 PM   
Ironclad

 

Posts: 1924
Joined: 11/22/2006
Status: offline 		I suppose there is a natural tendency for each nation to trumpet its own contribution and that becomes reflected in the national memory and so influences the emphasis in media coverage even in a prestigious series like WAW.


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Post #: 50
RE: *** World War II Documentaries *** - 7/3/2007 6:44:38 PM   
Prince of Eckmühl


Posts: 2459
Joined: 6/25/2006
From: Texas
Status: offline 		Given that all these things are propaganda of a sort, I'd nominate Triumph of the Will.

Riefenstahl's work is still used in cinema schools to demonstrate camera work, and her techniques for evoking tribalist instinct have been copied by just about every director worth his salt.

Ordering the DVD, or checking it out from some library will probably get you placed on some sort of government "watch list," so there might be a price to be paid for viewing this masterpiece.

Poe (aka ivanmoe)


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Post #: 51
RE: *** World War II Documentaries *** - 7/3/2007 9:40:01 PM   
Warfare1


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Joined: 10/20/2004
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Adam Parker

quote:

ORIGINAL: Warfare1

Did you find any links for the Tanks dvd? I couldn't find any.


No actually - I just checked now everywhere and for some reason they're only available in the UK/Australia. I've got a 3 disc set covering all 12 episodes and it was expensive when I bought it.

It looks like some fool tried to put it on You Tube! But they pulled it

Check out the History Channel shop btw as I ended up there in my search - it looks like they have some very interesting specialist stuff, there might be some good docs on the Pacific.


Thanks Adam, I'll be checking out the History Channel site over the next little while.

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Post #: 52
RE: *** World War II Documentaries *** - 7/3/2007 9:46:39 PM   
Warfare1


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quote:

ORIGINAL: JudgeDredd

The World at War series...I see people saying it didn't dedicate enough time to the Eastern Front.....it covered just about everything. That was the point of it. The World at War. From what I can recall, all theatres got very little coverage due to the fact that the series wanted to document the surrounding issues and what would be regarded by most people as "minor" conflicts.

I personally wouldn't fault the series. I think it does a fantastic job of relaying the...erm...World at War...to the layman.



Considering the series looks at all of the world in WWII, it is only fair that they can only highlight major events and battles. This seems fair to me.

It's the grand scope of the series that appeals to me.

Any event or battle that I care about I can always get a doc that will go more in-depth on it later.

(in reply to JudgeDredd)
Post #: 53
RE: *** World War II Documentaries *** - 7/4/2007 12:12:05 AM   
Jevhaddah


Posts: 626
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From: Scotland
Status: offline 		I just wish Mrs Jev would let me buy The World at War...

I do however have about 20 Veitnam 16mm training films on tape.... Must set aside time to bung em onto DvD

Cheers

Jev

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Post #: 54
RE: *** World War II Documentaries *** - 7/4/2007 11:44:01 AM   
Skeleton


Posts: 560
Joined: 3/14/2006
Status: offline 		Well then Warfare, this is the series for you. As for the complaint that it does not devote enough time to this particular theater or that theater, this is all relative. I believe it devoted sufficient time to not only the Pacific theater but also the Eastern Front.

http://www.amazon.com/World-At-War-Complete-Set/dp/B00005NOOH/ref

< Message edited by Marcus the leper -- 7/4/2007 11:48:33 AM >

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Post #: 55
RE: *** World War II Documentaries *** - 7/4/2007 11:46:35 AM   
Skeleton


Posts: 560
Joined: 3/14/2006
Status: offline 		double post

< Message edited by Marcus the leper -- 7/4/2007 11:47:23 AM >

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Post #: 56
RE: *** World War II Documentaries *** - 7/4/2007 5:04:08 PM   
Warfare1


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quote:

ORIGINAL: Marcus the leper

Well then Warfare, this is the series for you. As for the complaint that it does not devote enough time to this particular theater or that theater, this is all relative. I believe it devoted sufficient time to not only the Pacific theater but also the Eastern Front.

http://www.amazon.com/World-At-War-Complete-Set/dp/B00005NOOH/ref


I definitely will be getting this dvd set. Thanks for adding your vote for this one

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Post #: 57
RE: *** World War II Documentaries *** - 7/4/2007 10:18:02 PM   
Jeffrey H.


Posts: 3154
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From: San Diego, Ca.
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Warfare1

Hold on.

While I was doing some digging I came across this:

Ken Burns is doing a 15 hour series on WWII that will be aired on PBS in September 2007. If it's anything like his Civil War series, it should be worth watching.

Links:

http://www.shoppbs.org/product/index.jsp?productId=2784344

http://www.concordmonitor.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060223/REPOSITORY/602230354/1031


This one got some bad press recently because some race oriented groups in the US didn't like the way it was turning out. There were some contentious meetings where it was finally agreed that the director should be allowed to proceed as planned, some of the voice overs would be done by Hispanic or Afro readers.

But it got my interest that there was something coming along that was likely to be a solid effort. I'm really looking forward to it.

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Post #: 58
RE: *** World War II Documentaries *** - 7/4/2007 10:22:15 PM   
Jeffrey H.


Posts: 3154
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From: San Diego, Ca.
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Jevhaddah

I just wish Mrs Jev would let me buy The World at War...

I do however have about 20 Veitnam 16mm training films on tape.... Must set aside time to bung em onto DvD

Cheers

Jev


Funny, that brings back memories of home movies. Dad had a friend to went to Vietnam and flew in Helo's. He'd take these films, (must have been 8mm) and send them to us. Dad would develop them and we would sit in our living room and watch them.

Various scenes, no sound. Rescue operations, battles, interesting stuff. I wonder where it all went ?

(in reply to Jevhaddah)
Post #: 59
RE: *** World War II Documentaries *** - 7/4/2007 10:24:34 PM   
Jeffrey H.


Posts: 3154
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From: San Diego, Ca.
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Warfare1

Here is a link that describes in great detail the Battlefield Series of documentaries which many consider to be some of the very best ever produced.

Again, pity that few, if any, of these excellent dvds are available for sale here in North America. I would imagine they could vastly increase their sales if they were on sale here.

Link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battlefield_(documentary_series)



Couldn't we just buy them in the UK, (via online purchase) and have them shipped over ?

(in reply to Warfare1)
Post #: 60
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