Stalingrad

Just wanted to say, there might be a few spoilers.

After a few years I decided to go back and re-watch Stalingrad especially after learning of various controversies highlighted in the wiki. After finishing last night all I have to say is, WOW!!!! I find it funny with all the restrictions put on German society they were still able to pull something off that showed war for what it was and still kept a neutral standing.

I'm sure many may have noticed the acting takes a turn for the worst in some scenes which is a shame since the scene itself was meant to be a powerful one.

I've noticed a few "complaints" on the movie's wiki which to be honest are just absurd! I don't know how someone can possibly say it was to sympathize with the Nazi cause! The first 5 minutes of the film contain a scene where you see a Russian POW brutally murdered, a few minutes later you see a Russian on his death bed crying out for his mother tell her how sorry he was for not being able to take care of her in her old age. And then of course their is the pillage scene later on.. the movie wanted to portray the soldiers as just your average joe caught up in a war scenario, however it still doesn't forget a number of Germans had committed atrocities in the Eastern front and they highlight that to the best of their ability.

I'll be honest, I shed a slight tear during the final scene, the final "speech" really got to me and I felt sorry for these guys, from Afrika Corps to the Eastern Front, what a shock that must have been.

If you haven't already, I highly recommend you watch it! It should be in bargain bins by now, I hope it receives the good ol restoration/HD treatment.

Although I do have a few question, what where all those supplies for in the bunker? I had assumed rations but considering how close the Red Army was and how ill equipped the German infantry became you would think they would have used them. During the dramatic scene taking place after the aid drop the general says "A German Never Kills A German", was this a honor code followed by the Germany army?

I've heard the word Sanitäter a countless number of times yet I have only now figured out what it actually means!

 

At the time Stalingrad was a brave film for any German studio or director to make.
How accurate is the film the young idealistic officer who finds out that the army he is part of is not what he thinks it is , that bad officers exist , that the men are there just to be ordered to die , that the battle is a lost cause and that no one is going home.
As with all movies it is not and cannot be history , parts of it may be accurate parts may not .
We see the "bad German soldier" - he who " breaks the cease fire" and gets his "what he deserves" when the shell from the T-34 cuts him in two.
The " Quartermaster" who lives in a bunker complete with a Russian sex slave , again he "gets what he deserves".
"The good" German officer who tries to look after his men, the men themseklves who realise that they have been betrayed and are being left to die in a battle they cannot win or perhaps should never have been in.
The train journey to Stalingrad and the distinct change in attitude towards the Russian.

We never see "a bad Russian soldier" , sterotypes don't really work for me although in telling a stroy and making characters they probably have to be , elements of the regime and thinking which sent them there have to be represented and dealt with in a way which can be digested by an audience.

As movies go Stalingrad has its moments and it is better than most but I think only the Germans could have made it this way, certainly a difficult movie to make and one to make well.
Three and a half out of five is my shout on it , and I say that knowing that being a critic is so very easy .

 

I thought it was a good film. I didnt think too much about the hidden meanings behind it, I just enjoyed it as a film. It wasnt a bad movie and I'd certainly prefer it to Enemy at the Gates

 

Wouldn't mind watching it. I bought it from a market stall a while a go for a fiver but it just keeps jumping about a quarter the way through.

 

I would like a copy with German language and subtitles - might give it a run this afternoon if all is quiet.

I had flu last week and have a weeks leave this week so I am not complaining.
"Enemy at the gates" sometimes gets a bad press , I quite liked it.

 

The bit that always sticks in my mind in the officer giving out Iron Cross's in the hospital and he goes to shake hands with the patient and he hasn't got any. On the whole I didn't really get it as a film and its nowhere near Das Boot (The same production team)

I much prefer Iron Cross. Enemy at the Gates is Ok in my book. My favourite Eastern Campaign film is Come and See.

Cheers
Andy

 

I think Come and See is probably the most realistic portrayal of the War in the East. I wonder now that the Germans have broken the glass ceiling with "Downfall" will we see more Great Patriotic War/Ostfront films from the German perspective?

 

Sanitäter = medic

If you Google Image the word Sanitäter it gives you the answer.
If you Google Sanitäter & click on the Translate page option it tells you.
It's not that difficult to work out.



What film are you watching?
First 5 minutes on mine they're on the beach in Italy.


I've heard the word Sanitäter a countless number of times yet I have only now figured out what it actually means!


Yep just double checked and it was 15 minutes on the dot where they show that.

At the time Stalingrad was a brave film for any German studio or director to make.
How accurate is the film the young idealistic officer who finds out that the army he is part of is not what he thinks it is , that bad officers exist , that the men are there just to be ordered to die , that the battle is a lost cause and that no one is going home.
As with all movies it is not and cannot be history , parts of it may be accurate parts may not .
We see the "bad German soldier" - he who " breaks the cease fire" and gets his "what he deserves" when the shell from the T-34 cuts him in two.
The " Quartermaster" who lives in a bunker complete with a Russian sex slave , again he "gets what he deserves".
"The good" German officer who tries to look after his men, the men themseklves who realise that they have been betrayed and are being left to die in a battle they cannot win or perhaps should never have been in.
The train journey to Stalingrad and the distinct change in attitude towards the Russian.

We never see "a bad Russian soldier" , sterotypes don't really work for me although in telling a stroy and making characters they probably have to be , elements of the regime and thinking which sent them there have to be represented and dealt with in a way which can be digested by an audience.

As movies go Stalingrad has its moments and it is better than most but I think only the Germans could have made it this way, certainly a difficult movie to make and one to make well.
Three and a half out of five is my shout on it , and I say that knowing that being a critic is so very easy .

Well put, nothing is really 100% and that goes for all fields.

Regarding the Russian "stereotype", I think that was done on purpose, the production team behind Stalingrad was trying to keep a "neutral" basis by not making one side look a certain way. People going in already had some sort of idea about the war, it's possible they didn't want to give some people the wrong image about their film and to a certain extent the war?

Edit:

Gotthard: Adding those to my list

Andy: Picked up Iron Cross a few days ago since the forum seemed to have liked it, hoping to watch it over the weekend, not sure what to expect.

 

Elven,
The film is called 'Cross of Iron' starring James Coburn.
It is a very watchable film, enjoy.

Regards
Tom

 

It is indeed an enjoyable film but keep in mind that this is a Peckinpah movie and therefore the story is not straightforward, Elven. You'll know what I mean having watched it. But I liked it a lot.

 

And don't let your Mum catch you watching the Nookie scene

 

And don't let your Mum catch you watching the Nookie scene
LOL!!! *SPOILER ALERT* - which is also very painful!!!

 

If I remember correctly, the offending soldier really gets his just deserves!

Regards
Tom

 

I don't know why I had "Iron Cross" stuck in my mind, anyway double checked and yes I do have "Cross of Iron" and will hopefully have time to watch it this week.

Because of the "glowing recommendation" the aforementioned scene received on the forums time and time again I decided to check it out.....yup! And yes I do agree he did get what he deserved, good to see the Sarge had sense, if more German and Russian squad leaders showed honor on that scale perhaps we would have seen fewer POW die purely out of revenge.

Reminds me of a similar scene in this one horror film 2001 Yankees I think(Had something to do with confederate ghosts killing a bunch of college "yanks" to avenge a slaughter during the civil war), I won't spoil to much but lets just say this image will give you a slight idea.

 

"Its just a worthless piece of metal"

"STEINER"

"I am attacking , I am defending , we are winning , where are my tanks , where is my air cover , is he dead ?"

 

Captain Stransky: 'I will show you how a true Prussian officer fights.'

Sergeant Steiner: 'Then I will show you where the Iron Crosses grow.'

 

I have this film.It is made in German but dubbed in English.Film is about Stalingrad obviously but from the German perspective.Thought this was a good film.

 

Is that the film where the wounded German getting a Iron Cross others his foot due to having no hands to be shaken by the officer?