just me wondering. why do most ww2 guys(and gals) like films such as "Kelly's hero's which is almost completely crap,while films like "windtalker" which do have some elements of truth seem to be universally hated?
I for one think that "Windtalker" was a good film, that showed the true brutality that goes on in Wartime. Those War films that portray the real Horrors and sights during conflicts often attract criticism. "Beach Red" about Tarawa, attracted much bad press as it was deemed to contain Scenes not readily acceptable at the time. War films like Kelly's Hero's etc, are purely ficticious and more an Action packed film without the blood and guts being shown, so to speak. Most Hollywood Warfilms are designed to make Money and by showing disturbing Scenes, will, by and large, attract negative press and lower box Office takings. These are my own personal thoughts, but others may see things totally different and this is what life is all about. Regards Tom
I didn't like Windtalker, mainly because it disappointed me: although I learned some things, it wasn't really about the Navajo servicemen but the role of the 'minder'. Even though I don't particularly rate Cage as an actor, I watched it three times. I won't bother again. Kelly's Heroes - and the genre - is cartoonish with a great cast, not meant to be taken seriously - pure entertainment which just happens to be set in WW2. KH - specifically - is not a WW2 film, the background is incidental to the story. It could be set during the chaos of any conflict, and doesn't pretend to offer any special insight, though my father did recognise some 'characters and general observations' from his time. What's not to like! They are all 'only films' anyway.
'Windtalkers' was a huge missed opportunity. It took one of the great true stories of World War II (the Navajo code talkers) and turned it into a meat headed action flick about Nicholas Cage. He also made a mockery of the screen adaptation of 'Captain Correlli's Mandolin'. Has this goon ever been in a picture he didn't spoil?
good day gunbunnyb/3/75fa.yesterday.10:11 re:ww2 films like versus not liked.i have not seen windwalker,and as a ww2 vet.i am intrigued as to were you got the information that we only like film's like Kelly's hero's.you refer to the film's as crap.most film's are. its called entertainment.enjoy your next film happy new year to you and your family.regards bernard85
I suppose it depends on when the film was made really, you watch the likes of when eagles dare, Kelly's Heroes, dirty dozen they were all really aimed at bringing people to the cinema they weren't ment to be historically accurate Where as nowadays there is that many ameature historians out there like us all who will pick up faults with the film, apparently my wife says I'm really bad for it lol
My family used to do that for all films, the earlier b&w ones too. It became part of the ritual of family viewing, esp at Xmas time when the regular features popped up again. Miss that !
sir, i guess that perhaps i mispoke, i did not mean to imply that the wwII vets only liked films like kelly's hero's and did not like windtalkers, what i mean was films like kelly's hero's which were not really wwII films, with crappy scripts,still manage to have large followings of fans whereas films like windtalkers which do have some elements of truth, seem not to have large fan bases. may your family have a happy new year. oh btw thank you for your service.(sorry i didn't reply earlier).
One film i very much rate is They Were Not Divided , Guards Armoured made in 1954 to me a superb film with some great moments and superb kit ,but not rated to much by the critics , also a wartime movie 2000 Women ,funny with a black sense of humor and a couple of superb make you think moments , one film to go to the top of the rubbish list must be Spoils of War and that Sean Bean thing Age of Heroes. But me old dad still goes on about Saving Private Ryan , which he thought was great ,and he being a ex Normandy vet wounded on the breakout,hes 91 in hospital at present but on the mend .
One reason: Nicolas Cage. In broader sense; yes, the actors and acting makes THE difference in making a STORY believable and likable. Compare also the Kelly's Heroes fantasy in which "we" d like to have been a part of, and the fantasy Inglourious Basterds in which there is not so much fondness for the Basterds of Bratt Pitt. That movie sucked (Despite what you may think; revenge of Jews on Nazis during wartime is the ultimate wet dream of cinema going Americans ?)
Avigliana I thought this was meant to be a discussion thread, not necessarily a list of personal recommendations & with links to full films - albeit from an easily accessible site, I would think that they are probably dodgy copyright-wise.
