I watched this movie in about 12 parts, but still really enjoyed it. Every time I started it up again, it seemed like I knew exactly where I left off. Very much like reading a novel, I guess.
There were lots of famous actors involved in this film, but I think my favorite was Anthony Hopkins, and my least was Gene Hackman. Ever since I read (or maybe saw in a making-of) that Sam Raimi had a hard time working with Hackman on the set of The Quick and the Dead because Hackman was a jerk, I really haven’t liked him in anything since. In this movie, he played a Polish major (or general, perhaps) with a horrible accent.
Overall, though, this movie was great. The story came from (besides the actual event during the war) a non-fiction book by the same guy who wrote The Longest Day, Corneleus Ryan, which is a great book, and the screenplay was written by the writer of The Princess Bride, William Goldman. So, definitely some big names working on this film, and it paid off, I think. It’s a good story, too, if you’re interested on knowing what the allies did right after the success of D-Day. I also loved the very ending. The whole operation was a failure, so the ending really reflected that, and I love how the credits just roll without any music, just letting you be able to soak-in the fact that the whole ordeal was such a downer. This would be a great triple feature sandwiched in between The Longest Day and The Battle of the Bulge for a good European-Theatre education.
What’s your favorite European WWII combat movie?
Dustin, you don't have any comments and that is sad. Here is one for you: Hey Dustin! I'm just commenting on your blog post. Sorry I can't have a more exciting or insightful comment. Okay, have a good day!
Thanks for being so nice! You're awesome! But, I don't think we can expect people to comment on every little post. Especially those boring ones about WWII movies no one cares about but me…
Actually, I've been crying non-stop since I posted it until I saw your comment. Thank you for making my day. Now I can finally eat and get dressed. All I was doing was hitting refresh all day long.
Hey Deuce!
I liked this post, so sorry I was busy moving the site to the new address, and I kept forgetting to comment.
In any case, I don’t even know if I know that many WWII combat movies. I think that’s definitely more up your alley, seeing how high Saving Private Ryan is ranked on your flickchart. In fact, when I try to think of a WWII combat movie besides that, all I can think of are some episodes of Black Adder. But man, there’s got to be something!
I guess I do like the one about the snipers, Enemy At The Gates, I believe. And I also really liked Das Boot, although there was almost no combat. Is that what you’re thinking of?
Sitzman
Yeah! Das Boot is one of the BEST WWII combat films, for sure!