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doctorwaffle
Reviews
When Trumpets Fade (1998)
A Very Violent and Disturbing Depiction of World War II
This film shows the battlefield as a bleak place. There is no John Wayne patriotic bravado here. All the characters in the movie want the same thing: to be some place else. They are willing to do anything to leave, including getting themselves court-martialed. And who can blame them? The region they are in is cold and the ground is mud. Dead soldiers line the roads because Command feels the trucks should be used to carry live men to the battlefield, not dead men home. This instills a feeling of extreme relief into the viewer: "at least I wasn't in World War II." I can see why this is meant to be a continuation of Hamburger Hill. Both films are violent and show war as a futile effort that kills men like cattle and turns fellow soldiers against each other. With every passing minute, the film whispers in your ear, "By the way, war is hell." In case we forgot. In the end, the viewer is not left with much, just like the characters. Not recommended for the faint of heart, but what war movie is?
Band of Brothers: Day of Days (2001)
Similar Atmosphere to Saving Private Ryan, More Depth
The episode begins with interviews with American veterans of World War II, which lets the viewer know that the following program is as close to the true story as a reenactment can be. Like Saving Private Ryan, it opens with a graphic, disturbing scene as the US paratroopers prepare to jump into Normandy. Planes burst into flames, men are shot. The cinematography is beautiful, which helps immerse the viewer, who feels the same fear as the soldiers themselves. The cast is mostly character actors, with few familiar names, even to a film buff like me. This is good, as it prevents the viewer from having any preconceptions about the characters. The set pieces are masterfully designed, noting the cows chewing cud in the background while soldiers are talking. It doesn't look like a Hollywood film set; it looks like a once-inhabited village. This is the first episode of Band of Brothers I have seen. I will most definitely watch all the other episodes.
Midway (1976)
Shows WWII Naval Warfare, From Both Sides
The film portrays both the American and the Japanese navy in their struggle to win over Midway. Both archival footage and staged footage is shown, and the switches are seamless. This is no fictional story; it actually happened. It also shows a glimpse into the Japanese internment camps for US citizens, and the American paranoia for Japanese-Americans. The initial subplot is fictional. I like how it showed the constant spy game between the two nations. The acting of the Americans is great, especially Charlton Heston and Hal Holbrook. The Japanese acting is competent, but it is clear that some of the actors aren't native English speakers (yes, everyone in the movie speaks in English). The viewer isn't forced to hate the Japanese characters; they are merely shown are sailors fighting for their country, just like the Americans. The sets are well- designed, and the film captures occasional claustrophobic life on an aircraft carrier. Being a WWII movie, the film is mostly serious, but there is some light humor. The ship scenes become very tense as the film progresses and the two forces movie towards one point. The actual battle scenes are quick and brutal. If you're interested in an entertaining war film about Pacific naval warfare, definitely check out Midway.
Saving Private Ryan (1998)
One of the Best WWII Movies
Simply put, this is a flawless war movie. Spielberg created a set that looks like the actual French battlefield of World War II. The beginning of the movie shows the Allied invasion of Normandy Beach on D-Day, and it is very hard to watch. Men die and are reduced to gory heaps in the first seconds of battle. People who are expecting a Chuck Norris war movie with a few US soldiers killing hundreds of comical Nazis are going to be surprised. The film has a fantastic ensemble cast - up there with films such as Heat and Tombstone. All supporting actors are given believable characters. No one appears to utter a one-liner and is never seen again. Movie buffs will find themselves saying, "Hey, I know that guy!", but it never detracts from the immersion. This is a heavily pro-American film. It makes little effort to characterize the German soldiers, but none is needed. Overall, this is my favorite film from 1998, and one of my favorite war movies.