War > F War > Bronson, Charles > by Director (by last name)

Advantages: Robert Shaw, action, good realism
Disadvantages: Hollywoodised story complete with history rewritten, ( again )

The Battle of the Bulge ( or The Battle of the Ardennes as it was really called ) was the last major offensive ever mounted by Hitler in the second world war and was one of the biggest battles the US forces ever fought. It was also the only battle where the US army suffered a defeat ( be it a short one ) and also the first time they were really pushed back and if Hitlers plan had been a little bit more realsitic, he might well have extended the war ...
...these were veterans and very battle hardened troops, in additional, although many units did retreat, a lot of them stood their ground and this held up the Germans and even though they were completely surrounded and outnumbered, these units caused major delays and some very heavy casulties to the Germans, worse still they caused them to use a lot of fuel and ammunition which they could not afford. However, the allies did have some major fuel dumps ... Read review

Advantages: Gritty and moving.
Disadvantages: Slow.

...Paupua New Guinea, called the Kokoda trail. Their job is to stop the Japanese infiltrating the trail and coming closer to invading North Australia....look on a map, it really is quite close. The group of men come under constant attack, run out of food, low on ammunition, and are exhausted. Amongst the group are two brothers who become quite central to the plot. I won't give away any more of the plot other than to say it shows the absolute worst ...
...the best in man. ~~~Cinematography and directing~~~ It is slow, and I think that is intended as war is not all gun ho and running around. Whilst set in steamy rain forests, it has a ditinct trench warfare feel about it, and whilst set in the 2nd World War, it is reminiscent of the 1st. The cinematography is excellent, much of it is at night which is hard to film well, and much of it is in rain and mud. The scenery is magnificent. The music is ... Read review

Advantages: Thrilling adventure from the past
Disadvantages: none

...Donald Pleasence Released in the summer of 1963 this near three hour movie, based on some true events, depicts the lives of many Prisoners of War incarcerated in a German POW camp, Stalag Luft III, during the second world war, revealing the many escapes which were planned and executed, sometimes successfully, but mostly failures… This movie is based on the factual book by Paul Brickhill, who was actually in the camp and helped out with the preparations ...
...taking part in the escape itself. ** BRIEF PLOT ** Stalag Luft III is a high security prisoners of war camp which, according to commandant Colonel Von Luger, (played by Hannes Messemer), is escape proof, so it is filled with prisoners who have previously escaped from various other prisons… but to house that many professional escapees in one place is just asking for trouble… When Squadron leader Roger Bartlett, (played by Richard Attenborough), ... Read review

Advantages: Very moving, violent, yet accurate
Disadvantages: see above

Flags of our fathers A film Directed by Clint Eastwood, which retells the story of 6 men who erected the stars and stripes on top of a mountain at Iowa Jima. They were dubbed hereos, but in truth, these men in the picture were raising a second flag, the first time it was raised it was done by different men not in front of a camera. It was only the 5th day in the battle which would rage for another 35. The three surviving men from the group of six, ...
...forth in time, through the battle, after (when they were taken back to the US on a "buy war bonds" drive) and even later in the present time when the story is being re-told. The point that the real hereos are the ones who gave their lives and were left behind on the island is made clear and done well. Its a good film with plenty of action, some quite violent, but also an underlying torrent of heroism and honour. Its good stuff. Two thumbs up. letters ... Read review

Advantages: Good tense drama
Disadvantages: bit too much violence for young viewers

...taken separately to the Castle where enroute they quickly escape The American Brigadier is really an American look alike actor, who was made to look as though he had been shot down, in effect the Royal Air Force pulled off a stunt to get him captured. Unknown to all but Smith and Rolland SOE agent Mary Elison accompanies them on the mission. With Elison gaining entrance to the Castle via her fake cousin Heidie and is disguised as a bar maid in ...
...since 1941. She lowers some rope to the cable car station so Smith and Schaeffer can climb into the Castle. Elison who has attracted the attention of the Gestapo officer and he invites her for a drink. Whilst Smith and Schaffer do a recce and plan their escape. They take over the dinner/interrogation and to force the issue, Smith turns into Schmidt double agent and completely foxes Schaffer and the real double agents into telling them the names of ... Read review