This is Roque, (aka Rocky), I have just finished reading all the above posts,(3 pages). And this is just ME, I will not see a war movie, after 32 months of combat which included the Gothic Line, the winter was somewhat cold, Correction, I did see "Blackhawk Down" what got me pi---d, was when this guy was running down this street and tripping those booby trap wires and doesn't get a scratch, unbelievable. So sorry You all can watch them, I prefer not to. Roque of the 135th.

Dear Rocky:

Can't say I blame ya at all. If I were you I might feel the same way. Even the GI's vary on this. My dad loved watching war movies and the series Combat. Everyone handles it differently.

But war movies are the BEST teaching tool for the rest of us who never experienced it. For most people who aren't into reading, movies are a living history and without them, most would completely forget about WWII and other wars.

War movies also inspire many including myself, to keep on doing what were doing. They give me a shot in the arm and make me want to keep writing and running my site and my forum.

Hugs,

Maid Marion

Maid Marion; You keep on doing what you are doing here. I truly love the dedication you have in memory of your DAD. I am sure is is looking down on you and smilling and telling the vet. next to him saying, 'THAT'S MY BABY GIRL !!" I just got another writeup in the Kansas paper. I will mail you a copy. Hang tough and just keep the forum straight. Hugs.--Rocky

Thanks Rocky. I will always try my best to keep keeping on...

BIG HUGS!!

During the 1960s, my Dad would watch the CBS news on the Viet Nam War and would always comment that those news shots were staged. Of course, he was relating back to the old days when the news reels would be sprinkled with GI's playing up a scene for the cameras. You would see guys shooting machine guns or making a bayonet charge that appeared to resemble a training film more than actual battle.

After a few years of watching the news from Viet Nam, I think he finally changed his viewpoint----he didn't make that comment anymore.

Steve

Another pretty good movie in the "subtitles" category is "Fires on the Plain",made in Japan 1959. The movie takes place in February 1945 on the Phillapine Islands, and revolves around several rag-tag Jap soldiers who are facing either starvation, suicide, or.......... The title is your hint. I had to turn the sound off completely and just read the subtitles. After a while the sound of angry Japanese voices got on my nerves, but this was an important movie, for it was one of the first so-called "anti-war" movies made in post-war Japan, a country that was being run by it's military until the war ended. Worth renting.

DD

Hmmm, yet another one I haven't heard of. I shall continue to rely on you for more.

A plethora of movie knowledge! You astound me!

I finally got an opportunity to watch a film I've heard rave reviews about since the 1960's. Back then I wouldn't even consider watching a movie with English subtitles. The film I am speaking of is "The Seven Samurai" (1954), directed by Akira Kurosawa. Billed as an "heroic tale of honor and duty", this film was later adapted by Hollywood for western audiences as the classic American western "The Magnificent Seven," which has been a favorite of mine since I was a kid. I'll keep it short and say if you liked the remake you will also enjoy the original Japanese film...perhaps even more than you expected to! A wonderful story!

Dogdaddy

ps- I rented it from Netflix PSS- I know it's not WWII, but it is about courage,honor and duty so I didn't think you'd mind this infraction

Anyone seen "Die Brücke" (The Bridge) ?

It's about some young Germans deciding to defend an insignificant bridge (they even stop German engineers from blowing it as the Americans are closing in).

A fine movie and quite realistic.

It's in black and white.

Only the "Shermans" are a little bit comical to see.

Erwin

No, I have not seen that one. That is something I would definitely remember. Must add the one to the long, long list of films to see.

Don't forget the three movies about the "7th Company".

These are French movies with Michel Galabru starring.

Original titles:

"On a rétrouvé la septième Compagnie."

"Mais ou est donc passé la Septième Compagnie?"

"La septième Compagnie au clair de lune."

It is about French soldiers in 1940.

Very hilarious at times, especially that French officer trying to blow up a bridge and not succeeding as he can't remember what color of wire to attach to the detonator.

Erwin

I have "Die Bruke" and would say that it's one of the best films to come out of post-war Germany, and based on a true story.

Dogdaddy

You're right, Dogdaddy.

Another good one is "Das Boot" with Jürgen Prochnow.

The original version (where Germans speak German) is great eventhough it is about U-Boats.

It's very well made, the claustrofobic mood when they dive and the very sad ending mark this as one of the best ever seen.

Erwin

Don't forget the three movies about the "7th Company".

These are French movies with Michel Galabru starring.

 

Original titles:

 

"On a rétrouvé la septième Compagnie."

"Mais ou est donc passé la Septième Compagnie?"

"La septième Compagnie au clair de lune."

 

 

It is about French soldiers in 1940.

Very hilarious at times, especially that French officer trying to blow up a bridge and not succeeding as he can't remember what color of wire to attach to the detonator.

 

Erwin

Le fil vert sur le bouton rouge

those french movies were very funny, do you remember the scene in the castle "trop chaud & trop froid " when they were hidding the others behind their mattresses

And that scene with the French shopkeeper who favored German troops not knowing it was them in German uniforms.

"Dit 'eil 'itleir!" (= Say Hail Hitler!)

Then they backed up the German halftrack and drove straight into that man's shop.

Very good movies.

Erwin