The Pacific. New 10 part mini-series by Steven Spielberg

Didn't remember have I posted here or not but my opinion on this miniseries is positive, some 'parts' are too slow and I had to rewind 'em, some of 'em are very eye-catching in action scenes and episodes. At this time I'm only finished 8 of 10 and find it good.

 

It was utilized, just not to the extent that was originally envisioned. The war in the Pacific progressed so quickly that the strategic importance of the island was diminished by the time the invasion took place.
Thanks Brad... It was just the words of the Vet at the start of episode 8 about the battle for Pelilu, he didn't seem in the least bit convinced that it was worth the sacrifice of the young men involved.

 

I've seen all the episodes now and I liked pretty much the whole thing. But it kinda feels weird that the producers (or someone) left the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki out ( they don't even mention it). Is it a topic that americans have diffuculties to talk about? In Band of brothers they showed a concentration camp, would a german serie/film not do that?

 

Episode 9 did mention the bombing of Hiroshima but not by name. I just finished watching a double episode 8/9.

Cheers
Paul

 

Episode 9 did mention the bombing of Hiroshima but not by name. I just finished watching a double episode 8/9.

Cheers
Paul

ah, yes your right! I completely forgot about that. Still, the bombings doesent take that much space. I think "The Pacific" was inteded to lay focus on the characters and not so much about the historical battles or events like in Band of Brothers.

 

Well, just concluded the series (I had to watch episodes 5-10 on my PC since HBO keeps cutting some of the scenes in the episodes)

Haha, Leckie the Marine versus the West Point Graduate.

 

I've read somewhere that the entire operation could have been called off due to the reason that Brad mentioned, but no one wanted to re-call the invasion forces who were days, if not hours away from going in.

 

Just wondering how many of you have seen "The Pacific" miniseries. I've seen all ten episodes; it's really good, but somehow, it can't beat Band of Brothers. What are your opinions on this show? Is it better or worse than BoB?

 

I think the biggest problem that people have with The Pacific is that it is compared to Band of Brothers. If The Pacific had been shown first I think it would have been well accepted by most. As Formerjughead says in an earlier post it is Hollywood dramatised and may not be welcomed by those with detailed experience or knowledge of the campaigns but I must admit the series grew on me and I found it quite powerful as a view of men at war. I am thankful of never having seeing combat but the randomness of death and injury, regardless of ability as a soldier came through strongly. The way Sledge edged towards breakdown was gripping and emotional.

From a European viewpoint I also think that the series has educated many as to the nature of total war endured by the USMC and relevant Army units.

Jim

 

I think the biggest problem that people have with The Pacific is that it is compared to Band of Brothers. If The Pacific had been shown first I think it would have been well accepted by most. As Formerjughead says in an earlier post it is Hollywood dramatised and may not be welcomed by those with detailed experience or knowledge of the campaigns but I must admit the series grew on me and I found it quite powerful as a view of men at war. I am thankful of never having seeing combat but the randomness of death and injury, regardless of ability as a soldier came through strongly. The way Sledge edged towards breakdown was gripping and emotional.

From a European viewpoint I also think that the series has educated many as to the nature of total war endured by the USMC and relevant Army units.

Jim

I tend to agree, Jim. Licence has been taken and used but overall without any BoB comparisons it was extremely well done.
And for those in Europe who tend to just see the ETO it was an real eye opener.
I think some people expected so much that it was never going to win them over no matter what.
I fought off the tears in the last episode. It left me with some filmatic scenes I will never forget.

 

HBO Home Entertainment, in conjunction with Warner Home Video, will release The Pacific on Blu-ray on November 2. This 10-part WWII miniseries will be presented in six discs, with a DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack, and will contain two exclusive interactive companion features that maximize the use of Blu-ray technology and provide a superior viewing experience.

Blu-ray.com - The Pacific Blu-ray Date and Extras Revealed

 

As Auditman says, it is being compared to BoB, which is rather sad as The Pacific is good, but it still isn't as good as BoB. I also found it rather slow in parts.

 

Got all 10 parts downloaded on my PC.

Gonna watch the first episode now. Of course I will buy it when it comes out on DVD but just can't wait that long.

Oh happy days are here at last.

 

The Pacific is a godsend. You got to love how passionately Eugene Sledge fights in the Okinawa episode.

 

Seen all 10 parts now. Thought it was good.

Thought there was a lot of dull moments which could've been edited but the battle scenes were excellent, although it took a few episodes to get to know the characters.


Overall, 8/10.

 

I agree with you, Marcus, that there were some dull moments. There were also an abundant amount of physically intimate scenes which I thought were unnecessary. The battle scenes were amazingly realistc and exciting; for instance, in the third episode on Peleliu, the part where a Japanese officer is attacking Eugene Sledge with a sword and Eugene shots him as he approaches him. It leaves you on the edge of your seat!

 

I thought it was hilarious where the marine goes into a cave for a shit, and is chased out with his duds halfway down his arse by a Samurai wielding Jap shouting, "Somebody shoot him, somebody shoot him".

 

I think we all enjoyed that moment, but I wonder if it really happened and that is where they got the idea. I am glad none of my family fought in those campaigns, would not have been easy.

 

I have BoB on Blu Ray and I will most definitely be adding this to the collection, been picking up plenty of war films recently on Blu Ray

 

Certainly worth watching. On it's own it stands up really well. In HD it is visually stupendous (really need to get BoB in HD), and the action is good. Slow in parts but I think overall it captures the war in the Pacific to a good degree without being too overboard. Undoubtedly it will be compared to BoB whether rightly or wrongly. For me both of them are excellent pieces of cinematography and documentary however I still prefer BoB. For me the main reason is that you feel a much greater affinity for the characters in BoB than in the Pacific, the following of one unit (rather than 3 separate ones) allows for much more depth in character building and I feel you 'live' every bit of BoB that much more because of this. Of course there is similar feeling in the Pacific, however I just felt unattached from the characters which I'm not with BoB.

Overall Spielberg and Hanks have done an excellent job with both miniseries and they are 2 of the best chronicles for me of the war on the 2 fronts. Better than any Hollywood films any-day...