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OT: Favorite WWII Movies

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  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Tochigi, Japan
Posted by J-Hulk on Saturday, April 5, 2003 12:14 AM
I know most of you think "The Battle of the Bulge" is the worst WWII flick ever made (and I completely understand why, but sorry, I just love it!), but if you want a nostalgic chuckle, please check out my BotB M-47 "King Tiger" pic over at the Armor Forum.
I tried to post it here, but dang if I could figure out how!
Again, I apologize to all you BotB-haters out there.
~Brian
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: USA
Posted by SkippyOU110 on Friday, April 4, 2003 11:45 PM
Wow, there are so many:
Patton,MacArthur,Tora Tora Tora,12 O'Clock High, Longest Day, Midway, 30 Seconds Over Tokyo, Sink the Bismarck, Enemy Below, Halls of Montezuma, Guatalcanal Diary, Flying Tigers, Flying Leathernecks, Sands of Iwo Jima, Shores of Tripoli, Memphis Bell, Saving Private Ryan, Enemy at the Gates, Battle of the Bulge, Thin Red Line, Anzio, Windtalkers, Pearl Harbor, Das Boot, U-571, Battle of Britain, Bridge on the River Kwai......and there are others.....
  • Member since
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  • From: Exit 7a NJ Turnpike
Posted by RAF120 on Friday, April 4, 2003 9:43 PM
Thank you jquinn. I'm so glad you said Stalag 17 that has got to be my all time favorite. Here are some of my others.
A Midnight Clear
Von Ryan's Express
The Longest Day (I would like to see them make a movie with that many stars and make it work today.)
When Trumpets Fade
Saving Privet Ryan
The Great Escape
A Bridge too Far

and as far as T.V. shows go Rat Patrol all the way.
Trevor
Trevor Where am I going and why am I in this handbasket?
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 4, 2003 8:26 PM
surprised no one listed:
Stalag 17 (ach sooo!)
Battleground (excellent movie about fight for Bastogne, considering made almost 50 years ago)
When Trumpets Fade (HBO)
Operation Petticoat - on the lighter side

other miniseries beside Band of Brothers
Piece of Cake (PBS - from BBC originally) - about Battle of Britain
Danger UXB (PBS - BBC) also Battle of Britain

How could anyone like Midway or Battle of Bulge???
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 4, 2003 6:32 AM
How about "The Dam Busters", Otherwise my favorites are
Battle of Britain, Kelly's Heroes.
  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Tochigi, Japan
Posted by J-Hulk on Thursday, April 3, 2003 9:41 PM
Can't really say it was my favorite, but I can't remember the name of that flick with Lloyd Bridges as a "Panther" (an ISherman, I think!) commander in the desert chasing a crippled P-40. Recently found it in a local video shop, but the Japanese title is "Sensha tai Hikouki," which translates simply, "Tank versus Aircraft."
Anybody recall the real title?
~Brian
  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: NE Georgia
Posted by Keyworth on Thursday, April 3, 2003 9:15 PM
Don't forget King Rat, Attack Force Z, and Air Force....oldies but goodies
"There's no problem that can't be solved with a suitable application of high explosives"
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Sunny Florida
Posted by renarts on Thursday, April 3, 2003 12:26 AM
Thanks Jim,

It was going to drive me nuts till I could remember or someone helped.

Remembered another good one...
Slaughter House Five
Mike "Imagination is the dye that colors our lives" Marcus Aurellius A good friend will come and bail you out of jail...but, a true friend will be sitting next to you saying, "Damn...that was fun!"
  • Member since
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  • From: USA
Posted by JGUIGNARD on Wednesday, April 2, 2003 11:12 AM
Mike:

I believe the movie about Ernie Pyle is titled "The Story Of G.I. Joe". Haven't seen it in years. You are right - it is a good one.

Jim
Most of us are acquainted with at least one "know-it-all". He may be as close as the mirror. [}:)]
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, April 2, 2003 8:14 AM
How about Attack! with Jack Palance, Eddie Albert, Buddy Ebsen ... "I'm comin' to get you Cooney"

Also When Trumpets Fade (battle of Hurtgen Forest) was quite good.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Sunny Florida
Posted by renarts on Tuesday, April 1, 2003 10:39 PM
Saving Private Ryan
Cross of Iron
Walk in the Sun
The Young Lions
Wind Talkers

What was the film with Burgess Meredith playing Ernie Pyle?
Another good one...

Mike
Mike "Imagination is the dye that colors our lives" Marcus Aurellius A good friend will come and bail you out of jail...but, a true friend will be sitting next to you saying, "Damn...that was fun!"
  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: USA
Posted by JGUIGNARD on Tuesday, April 1, 2003 7:30 PM
In one of the earlier posts, someone mentioned movies that took place in WW2, but were not really "war" movies, with Mr. Roberts ( one of my all time favorites ) as an example. Another one in that category that I really enjoy watching is Captain Newman, MD with Gregory Peck.
Most of us are acquainted with at least one "know-it-all". He may be as close as the mirror. [}:)]
  • Member since
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  • From: USA
Posted by JGUIGNARD on Tuesday, April 1, 2003 7:13 PM
Here are some of my favorites:

Twelve O'Clock High ( not first on this list by accident )
Das Boot
Battleground ( my father was with the 101st )
Battle of Britain
They Were Expendable
Patton
Dam Busters
Guadalcanal Diary
Wing and a Prayer
Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo
Run Silent, Run Deep
Tora Tora Tora
A Bridge Too Far
The Big Red One
To Hell And Back
The Longest Day
Air Force
The One That Got Away
Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison
49th Paralell

I have to include Fighter Squadron - only because of the P-47's - they were the REAL stars of that movie




Most of us are acquainted with at least one "know-it-all". He may be as close as the mirror. [}:)]
  • Member since
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  • From: NE Georgia
Posted by Keyworth on Friday, March 28, 2003 8:36 PM
It's out on DVD. Best Buy has is for about 15 bucks. If you were closer, you could borrow mine :) -Ed
"There's no problem that can't be solved with a suitable application of high explosives"
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Pominville, NY
Posted by BlackWolf3945 on Wednesday, March 26, 2003 10:11 PM
Ah, yes! I seem to remember the title now. Did someone list it already? I admit, there were too many and I didn't go thru all the responses. I really enjoyed this flick, good mix of drama, humor and irony.

Thanks! Anyone know if it's available on DVD?

Fade to Black...
  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: NE Georgia
Posted by Keyworth on Wednesday, March 26, 2003 8:29 PM
Blackwolf, that Battle of the Bulge flick was "A Midnight Clear". Excellent film. -Ed
"There's no problem that can't be solved with a suitable application of high explosives"
  • Member since
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  • From: Bucks county, PA
Posted by Bucksco on Monday, March 24, 2003 2:27 PM
How about "The enemy below" with Robert Mitchum. Good navy story.
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Pominville, NY
Posted by BlackWolf3945 on Monday, March 24, 2003 12:15 PM
Hmmm...

I tend to go for the later films, just on the basis of an overall better viewing experience. More accurate portrayals across the board, better cinematography, better storyline, etc.

As such, I go for these: Private Ryan, Enemy at the Gates, Band of Brothers.

Also, older flicks: Air Force, Battle of Britain, Tora Tora Tora, Das Boot.

Fun flicks: Kelly's Heroes, The Dirty Dozen series and what may be my overall favorite war flick, despite it's being a comedy; 1941!

Some others would be: Stalingrad (foreign film, VERY good) and there was one, the title of which I can't recall, which took place during the Battle of the Bulge. There were Germans who wanted to surrender and approached the Americans, but wanted to make it look like they had put up a fight before doing so. Things went wrong and all the Krauts died and some GI's. I wish I could recall that flick's title. Real nice scene that took place on Christmas Eve where the two sides were singing "Silent Night/Stille Nacht" with each other across the lines.

There are more, but I can't recall them at the moment.

Some that I don't like: Midway and Codetalkers.

Fade to Black...
  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: NE Georgia
Posted by Keyworth on Sunday, March 23, 2003 8:15 AM
Operation Petticoat-anyone out there looking to build a pink submarine? :)
"There's no problem that can't be solved with a suitable application of high explosives"
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, March 23, 2003 12:22 AM
"12 O'Clock High" was the best WW 2 movie in my opinion....but for some reason I always get real sleepy whenever I watch it...I think it's because of all that rain!

I wish some network would rerun the TV series from the 60's
  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Portugal
Posted by lito.sf on Thursday, March 20, 2003 7:15 PM
I loved:
The eagle has landed
Das Boot (the best movie about submarines)
The eye of the needle
Memphis Belle
The bridge on the river kwai
submarine U571
Saving private Ryan

  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: NE Georgia
Posted by Keyworth on Thursday, March 20, 2003 6:37 PM
Add these to my earlier list:
Deep Blue World (Czech pilots in the RAF)
Men of the Fighting Lady
Away All Boats
The Story of GI Joe
God I My Co-Pilot
Jet Pilot (lousy movie, but Chuck Yeager flew the F-86 scenes)-OK, it's a stretch, but Yeager DID fly in WWII :)
Wackiest Ship in the Army
and I absolutely can't believe that NO ONE has mentioned one of the best of all WWII films-Mr. Roberts.- no combat action, but it did portray effectively the daily existence of the typical fighting man in the rear-tedious, frustrating and boring.
Wow..........................I'll catch my breath and dig into the vaults to see what other treasures are out there.

Late note-a few more: Immortal Battalion, The Desert Rats, Tobruk, The Desert Fox, and Fightrer Squadron (remember those bad old Nazi P-51's? ) :) -Ed
"There's no problem that can't be solved with a suitable application of high explosives"
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, March 19, 2003 9:56 PM
i've read some of the lists and i'd just like to add a couple different movies
one being empire in the sun. story of a british child separated from parents in a prisoner camp.

and my favorite actually is das boot. about the crew of a german u-boat. must be watched subtitled the dubbed version doesn't do the movie justice.
  • Member since
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  • From: Newport News VA
Posted by Buddho on Tuesday, March 18, 2003 9:19 PM
Here's some of mine:

Battle of Britain
The Longest Day
Tora Tora Tora!
Midway
Kelly's Heroes
Guns of Navarrone
Dirty Dozen
A Bridge too Far

Saving Private Ryan was the best war movie I have ever seen but left me a bit shaken because of its realistic portrayal of combat.

  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: Foothills of Colorado
Posted by Hoser on Tuesday, March 18, 2003 8:03 PM
OK. This isn't a WWII movie, but I am suprised no one has mentioned "The Flight of the Phoenix" with Jimmy Stewart. For those that haven't seen it, it's about a plane crash in the desert and they are saved by .... an airplane modeller!!! Excellent movie, worth a look.
"Trust no one; even those people you know and trust." - Jack S. Margolis
  • Member since
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Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, March 18, 2003 7:37 PM
To hell and back is pretty good and there is another one i like, think the name was "Silent Night", About some GIs And German soldiers at Christmas '44
  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Tochigi, Japan
Posted by J-Hulk on Monday, March 17, 2003 10:36 PM
Wouldn't mind seeing "Tora Tora To..." oh, wait...sorry.
~Brian
  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: USA
Posted by woody0369 on Monday, March 17, 2003 10:19 PM
I know this comes a little late, but a Bridge too far is great. Someone said that Band of Brothers would be the standard by which all WWII movies would be compared. I disagree, I've seen Band of Brothers and I am deeply in love with this movie (series). But even Band of Brothers is compared by Saving Private Ryan.
What I would like to see is some of the old greats resurected into new features with all of the modern day technology for film making. Imagine what could be done with Midway or Battle of Britain, or even my fav... Blue Max.
What do you think??
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, February 28, 2003 11:08 AM
Stalingrad is a very good film, very authentic uniforms,battle scenes and you really get a idea of the hopeles situation the average German soldaten faced in this winter hell. on a scale of 1-10 i give it a 10, i have the video and i recomend that you get the english dubbed version.

anotther WW2 movie that rates a 10 is DAS BOOT (the boat), very authentic german U-boat film that was produced by the same german film company that made Stalingrad. the film came out in 1981 (i think), but a few years ago a directors cut was released which has around 35 minutes of extra footage. again i recomend if you get the video buy the english dubbed version.

another of my favorites, although not a WW2 film is Waterloo. the uniforms in some scenes are kinda cheesey but the overall battle scenes are realy cool. and Rod Stiger does a fantastic job as Napolieon.

has anybody read the novel by Guy Saljar called The Forgotten Solder? if you have not, get it! it is one of those books you can not put down. it is about the authors experince on the Ost front in WW2. mabey someday this will be made into a film
  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Racing capital of the world- Indy
Posted by kaleu on Thursday, February 27, 2003 6:23 PM
Here is my list. They all might not be historically accurate, but I enjoy watching them as often as I can.

Das Boot
Where eagles dare
Guns of Navarone
Force 10 from Navarone
Saving Private Ryan
A bridge too far
Midway
Tora Tora Tora
Schindler's List
Band of Brothers
Big Red One
Stalingrad
Kelly's Heroes (cheesy, but still fun)
The Winter War

I'm sure there are more movies, but this is all I can think of at this time
Erik "Don't fruit the beer." Newest model buys: More than I care to think about. It's time for a support group.
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