And now for something completely different: epic war movies. There are many, but the best ones are able to let history speak on a grand scale, without simplistic renderings or overly partisan agendas. The ones I prefer try to get at all sides of war, not just the immediate victors' or -- as is the case with most Vietnam movies, losers' -- angle.
Irish-born Cornelius Ryan (1920-1974), a young war correspondent during WWII, knew how to show the many faces of war with both deftness and fairness; he provided the basis for two excellent film adaptions. His books The Longest Day (1959), The Last Battle (1966), and A Bridge Too Far (1974) look at D-Day, the fall of Berlin, and Operation Market-Garden with a clear, wise eye.
Something of Ryan's generous spirit is reflected in the following movies:
The Longest Day (1962). Today's header is derived from the Richard Burton character's final assessment of D-Day at the end of this great film, produced by Darryl F. Zanuck, who utilized no fewer than four directors in the field. All sides are given their due, which is incredibly refreshing.
Zulu! (1964). Rorke's Drift. Michael Caine is superb. Zulu Dawn (1979). Depicts the Battle of Isandlwana, in which the Zulus defeated the British; not bad, either, but not as exciting as the earlier film.
Tora! Tora! Tora! (1970). Pearl Harbor from multiple perspectives.
Waterloo (1970). Napoleon vs. Wellington. A little ragged in parts, but a great story. Rod Steiger, Christopher Plummer, Orson Welles.
A Bridge Too Far (1977). Near the end of WW2, Netherlands. Sean Connery, et al.
There are, of course, zillions of war movies, and I'm not even including documentaries. The caveat for the above films: viewers can learn a bit of narrative history in an entertaining way. There are also spectacular scenes in All Quiet on the Western Front (1930), Paths of Glory (1957), and particularly the air assault on the VC village in Apocalypse Now! (1979). Two unconventional but extraordinary war films also worth mentioning here: Gillo Pontecorvo's La Battaglia di Algeri / The Battle of Algiers (1966) and Queimada / Burn! (1969) with Marlon Brando. Most of the war movies of the past twenty-five years either suck or carry a transparent agenda (eg., Oliver Stone) -- or I simply don't like the director/film. An excellent exception is: Der Untergang / Downfall (2004), about the collapse of Nazi Germany from the German perspective.
Today's Rune: Signals.
10 comments:
I love the title here. You're picks are excellent.
Took me a few moments to work out what you're doing here, but I like it a lot - I can tell I'll have to do some backreading!
Extra kudos for picking a theme for your blog and sticking to it ^_^
Thanks Gloria and Anomaly! Much appreciated. Cheers, ~~E'
One of my favorite movies is "The Guns of Navaronne," with David Niven. A war movie par excellence. Great topic, Eric. Man v. man, and some of the why's and wherefore's of this sad but basic fact of life.
And let's not forget Saving Private Ryan. Those first few minutes... whew..
AP, love The Guns of Navarone and The Great Escape is fun, too. There are others. (The Grand Illusion, for instance). But Jamie, that's one of those I do not like for various reasons (starting with the director).
Thanks for the comments!
You've mentioned Apocalypse Now before, and Marlon Brando! Excellent. Haven't seen a lot of those listed, though.
What's your objection to Mr. Spielberg? Most tend to think he's at least marginally tallented. Or is he just to Hollywood for you? Too much culture, and not enough counter culture? :-)
Hey Robin and Jamie, thanks for the new comments. Jamie, I hate that guy as a director. Way too manipulative and heavy-handed, as unsubtle as can be -- he tries to force the viewer to swallow his simple-minded worldview lock stock and barrel. In short, his approach sickens me ;) Oliver Stone is right behind him, though he's more interesting.
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