Slitherine

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Until later in the war training in plane being used and tactics was something you learned on the job, if you survived long enough.

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ORIGINAL: RhinoDad

Based on some of the recommendations thought I would give the new Midway movie a go. It is said they aimed for realism but wonder how well a technical advisor in a very different military with very different training and experience will be able to capture the way of life, attitudes, and outlook of a completely different time and place.

Will be very interested in how they handle Spruance's launching of an uncoordinated attack on the Japanese fleet, and other tidbits of the battle and lead up that I find interesting.

But looking forward to it.

Very much enjoyed “Flags of Our Fathers”, and “Letters from Iwo Jima” (may have gotten the names wrong)

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ORIGINAL: Sardaukar


https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097334/

Farewell to the King (1989)
Borneo, 1942: An American soldier escapes WWII and becomes the king of the headhunters in the jungle. Two British soldiers are parachuted into the area to find local support for the battle against the Japanese.

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ORIGINAL: Randy Stead

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ORIGINAL: Sardaukar


https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097334/

Farewell to the King (1989)
Borneo, 1942: An American soldier escapes WWII and becomes the king of the headhunters in the jungle. Two British soldiers are parachuted into the area to find local support for the battle against the Japanese.

I had forgotten about this one. Nick Nolte, one of my favourite "old time" actors. I enjoyed his acting in "Who'll Stop the Rain." He often portrays the sad, doomed character type. I liked him in "Warrior" with Tom Hardy as the old, former alcoholic of two MMA fighters.

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ORIGINAL: Randy Stead

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ORIGINAL: Sardaukar


https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097334/

Farewell to the King (1989)
Borneo, 1942: An American soldier escapes WWII and becomes the king of the headhunters in the jungle. Two British soldiers are parachuted into the area to find local support for the battle against the Japanese.

I had forgotten about this one. Nick Nolte, one of my favourite "old time" actors. I enjoyed his acting in "Who'll Stop the Rain." He often portrays the sad, doomed character type. I liked him in "Warrior" with Tom Hardy as the old, former alcoholic of two MMA fighters.

"To meaningless French Idealism, Liberty, Fraternity and Equality...we answer with German Realism, Infantry, Cavalry and Artillery" -Prince von Bülov, 1870-

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ORIGINAL: RhinoDad

Saw Midway last night. Thank you for the recommendation. Found it to tell a decent historical story. Did feel that they just passed over one of the keys to the victory, Spruance’s controversial decision to launch an uncoordinated attack on the Japanese fleet. At least for a war movie it seemed to be more historical regarding events than many I have seen.

It had its comic book moments with the Pearl Harbor attack. Especially the forward magazine explosion of Arizona.

The computer graphics were fun, it would have been nice though to have had them use one of the capital ships shown close up. Had to surmise the carrier at odd angle with spots of flame coming out at Corral Sea, shown in a short clip, was supposed to be the Lexington; but the carrier island was nowhere near correct. Seemed to have a one size fits all for carrier graphics. Almost like from a computer game.

Was interesting that of all the Pearl Harbor distant shots none had the California which was the Fleet Flagship.

Showing military life at the time was pretty much nonexistent. Not knowledgeable of current military life, but seemed to be more of a current military life with some historical flavor, like women’s hairstyles. Very few were ever in uniform, at least by standards at time, and people wearing different uniforms at the same time in what would be defiance of uniform of the day. It was like they told the actor, “Put this on”, but did not show them how to wear it. They looked more along the line of McHale’s navy comedy show from ’62; but that was supposed to be a comedy. Uniforms seemed more in line with current uniforms. Guess the budget did not call for using other than what was available from prop rooms. Given their attire historical scenes would have been full of SPs removing and citing pretty much everyone on set. These were not service men but comedy set actors in costumes on break. Officers and enlisted men shown on same premises together not on duty. Things that would have resulted in the arrest of the enlisted men or at very least removal and citation. The list goes on and on. Does not take away from historical events but throws historical flavor of times out the window.

But Hollywood seems to always want to make something that is eye catching and appeals to current viewers, not something that somewhat portrays reality or facts at the time.

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ORIGINAL: spence

If one can find a copy of it YESTERDAY'S ENEMY is a pretty good flick that probably smashes every single movie cliche. It concerns itself with a retreating British unit in the Burmese jungle. It stars the guy who (with Micheal Caine commanded the British at Roark's Drift in "Zulu" and the CO of the Compass Rose in "The Cruel Sea") whose name escapes me at this time.

Another good one would be THE FLOWERS OF WAR. It concerns itself with the Japanese capture of Nanking in 1937 and stars Christian Bale.

England expects that every man will do his duty. Horatio Nelson October 1805

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ORIGINAL: spence

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ORIGINAL: spence

If one can find a copy of it YESTERDAY'S ENEMY is a pretty good flick that probably smashes every single movie cliche. It concerns itself with a retreating British unit in the Burmese jungle. It stars the guy who (with Micheal Caine commanded the British at Roark's Drift in "Zulu" and the CO of the Compass Rose in "The Cruel Sea") whose name escapes me at this time.

Another good one would be THE FLOWERS OF WAR. It concerns itself with the Japanese capture of Nanking in 1937 and stars Christian Bale.

warspite1

Stanley Baker

Warspite is correct - but the CO of Compass Rose in "The Cruel Sea" was Jack Hawkins (sorry about that). "Yesterday's Enemy" was still a great flick though as was "The Cruel Sea"


Found this video (a trailer): https://vimeo.com/126038522

England expects that every man will do his duty. Horatio Nelson October 1805

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ORIGINAL: Randy Stead

I watched "USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage" yesterday on Netflix. Nicolas Cage stars as Charles McVay III, commander of the ill fated cruiser. Not a rubbish movie [your mileage, as your opinion, may vary] but overall it was alright; I did not expect great things of it. However, I was amused at some of the errors that inevitably creep in when Hollywood depicts history. My wife keeps telling me, "It's just a movie" but I can't help it.

A few goofs that I noticed. Feel free to chime in with your own:

When Indy showed up at Tinian to deliver the innards for the Bomb, there were some B-29s in the background. Indy delivered the components, what, about six days before the Hiroshima drop? Yet there on the apron is a plane with the nose art of "Enola Gay." Anybody care to take a guess why that was wrong?...... The name "Enola Gay' was only put on the plane a few hours before takeoff. Also in the Tinian scene there is an MP or SP carrying an M-14 on sentry duty. That rifle was developed in the 1950s and issued in 1959. "Let's do the time warp again!"

In the sinking scene, the lights of the ship remain on almost until the final plunge. Perhaps possible but not likely. What baffled me was seeing screws turning right until the stern went under. I thought at first how did the engines suck in air but then realize perhaps there may have been enough steam to keep them going? I am not a ship guy; I presume Indy used some form of steam turbines to turn the prop shafts, or did she burn oil? Were oil burning ships in service in that era? Then I think of Bismarck. Were her engines directly driven by combustion of oil, or did she also burn oil to produce steam? My knowledge of ship propulsion is not as good it could be.

One last thing. The IJN sub that sank Indy, I-58, in the film is always making sonar pinging sounds in every scene. I thought subs were supposed to be in the "silent" service.

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ORIGINAL: Schani59

Although actually a mini-series. Surprised no one mentioned 'The Pacific'. Superb. Four Stars.

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ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

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ORIGINAL: Schani59

Although actually a mini-series. Surprised no one mentioned 'The Pacific'. Superb. Four Stars.

It was mentioned a couple of times. Very good on most counts, sometimes too "over the top" and a few historic inaccuracies. Much better than most Hollywood depictions.

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ORIGINAL: Randy Stead

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ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

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ORIGINAL: Schani59

Although actually a mini-series. Surprised no one mentioned 'The Pacific'. Superb. Four Stars.

It was mentioned a couple of times. Very good on most counts, sometimes too "over the top" and a few historic inaccuracies. Much better than most Hollywood depictions.

If you wouldn't mind taking the time to share, I'd like to hear which parts you believe were over the top and the historical inaccuracies.

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ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

Some US military personnel would carry pliers to remove the gold teeth from the dead Japanese. Others made ashtrays from the skull, some of the bones were carved into knick knacks for family - long bones into letter openers I do believe was one of those things.